Propellants

The table below displays the propellants built in to RocketCEA. Click any of the names to see the card deck submitted to CEA for that propellant.

If your propellant is not included, or if you disagree with the definitions, new propellants can be added, and existing propellants can be modified.

Any use of RocketCEA begins with an import statement and an instance of CEA_Obj:

from rocketcea.cea_obj import CEA_Obj
C = CEA_Obj( oxName='N2O4', fuelName='MMH')

Bipropellant runs use oxName and fuelName to define propellants. For Monopropellants and Solid Propellants, the instance of CEA_Obj uses propName:

from rocketcea.cea_obj import CEA_Obj
C = CEA_Obj( propName='HYD40')

Click Propellant Name to View Definition

Oxidizers
90_H2O298_H2O2AIRAIRSIMPCLF3CLF5F2GO2
GOXH2OH2O2HAN315HNO3IRFNALO2LO2_NASA
LOXMON15MON25MON3N2F4N2H4N2ON2O3
N2O4N2O_nbpO2OF2Peroxide90Peroxide98    
Fuels
A50AcetyleneALAPB2H6C2H2C2H5OHC2H6
C2H6_167C3H8CFxCH3OHCH4CINCHDMAZECP_dimer
EthanolETHANOLGasolineGCH4GH2GH2_160H2H2O
HTPBIsopropanolJetAJP10JP4JPXKeroseneKerosene90_H2O10
LCH4_NASALH2LH2_NASAM20M20_NH3MethanolMETHANOLMHF3
MMHN2H4NH3NITROMETHANEPropanePropylenepropyleneRP1
RP1_NASARP_1UDMH          
Monoprop & Solid
AMT_2091AP10_RDX25_HTPBARC311ARC448ARC452ARC457HAN269HAN315
HPB24HYD40            

Special Blends

There are a number of special blends that can be created when making an instance of CEA_Obj.

Hydrazine Monopropellant

The performance of Hydrazine Monopropellant engines is driven by the amount of ammonia dissociation that the catalyst bed delivers. Any amount of ammonia dissociation can be run by calling out the propName as “HYD” + weight percent dissociation.

Note that the CEA FORTRAN code has been modified to include “Undissociated Ammonia (UA)” as an exhaust product. The CEA input also includes an “omit NH3” statement to prevent normal NH3 calculations.

The examples below call out 30, 40 and 50 percent ammonia dissociation.:

C = CEA_Obj( propName='HYD30')
C = CEA_Obj( propName='HYD40')
C = CEA_Obj( propName='HYD50')

MMH + N2H4

Mixtures of MMH and N2H4 are often used to suppress the freezing point of N2H4. M20 is a common mixture (20% MMH + 80% N2H4 by weight). The examples below call out 10, 20 and 30 percent MMH:

C = CEA_Obj( oxName='N2O4', fuelName='M10')
C = CEA_Obj( oxName='N2O4', fuelName='M20')
C = CEA_Obj( oxName='N2O4', fuelName='M30')

Mixed Oxides of Nitrogen

Mixtures of N2O4 and NO are often used to suppress the freezing point of N2O4. MON25 is a common mixture (25% NO + 75% N2O4 by weight).

When NO is added to N2O4, there are two main equilibrium reactions:

N2O4     <==> 2 NO2
NO + NO2 <==> N2O3

For this reason, the input cards for MON oxidizers include N2O4 and N2O3. The weight percentages are calculated based on the equilibrium equations above.

The examples below call out MON oxidizers with 15, 20 and 25 percent NO:

C = CEA_Obj( oxName='MON15', fuelName='MMH')
C = CEA_Obj( oxName='MON20', fuelName='MMH')
C = CEA_Obj( oxName='MON25', fuelName='MMH')

Peroxide + Water

Peroxide is often blended with water in order to enhance its stability and improve its safety. While the debate about an appropriate blend of Peroxide rages on, analyzing it with RocketCEA simply requires calling it out as “Peroxide” + weight percent Peroxide. The examples below call out 90, 95 and 98 percent Peroxide:

C = CEA_Obj( propName='Peroxide90')
C = CEA_Obj( propName='Peroxide95')
C = CEA_Obj( propName='Peroxide98')
C = CEA_Obj(   oxName='Peroxide98', fuelName="MMH")

FLOX

FLOX is a mixture of Fluorine and Oxygen. Call out the mixture as “FLOX” + weight percent of Fluorine. The examples below call out 60, 70 and 80 percent Fluorine:

C = CEA_Obj(   oxName='FLOX60', fuelName="LH2")
C = CEA_Obj(   oxName='FLOX70', fuelName="LH2")
C = CEA_Obj(   oxName='FLOX80', fuelName="LH2")

Oxidizers

90_H2O2

oxid H2O2(L) H 2 O 2  wt%=90.00
h,cal=-44880.0     t(k)=298.15  rho.g/cc=1.407
oxid = WATER H 2.0 O 1.0 wt%= 10.0
h,cal=-68317. t(k)=298.15 rho.g/cc=1.0

98_H2O2

oxid H2O2(L) H 2 O 2  wt%=98.00
h,cal=-44880.0     t(k)=298.15  rho.g/cc=1.407
oxid = WATER H 2.0 O 1.0 wt%= 2.0
h,cal=-68317. t(k)=298.15 rho.g/cc=1.0

AIR

oxid Air    wt%=100.00
h,cal=-28.2     t(k)=298.15

AIRSIMP

oxid AIRSIMP  N 1.5622 O .4192 Ar .0093
h,cal=0.     t(k)=298.15

CLF3

oxid CLF3(L)   CL 1 F 3   wt%=100.00
h,cal=-45680.0     t(k)=298.15

CLF5

oxid CLF5(L)   CL 1 F 5   wt%=100.00
h,cal=-60500.0     t(k)=298.15

F2

oxid F2(L)  F 2
h,cal=-3098.      t(k)=82.02       wt%=100.

GO2

oxid O2(G)  O 2
h,cal=0.      t(k)=298.15       wt%=100.

GOX

oxid O2(G)  O 2
h,cal=0.      t(k)=298.15       wt%=100.

H2O

oxid water H 2.0 O 1.0  wt%=100.0
h,cal=-68308.  t(k)=298.15 rho,g/cc = 0.9998

H2O2

oxid H2O2(L) H 2 O 2  wt%=100.00
h,cal=-44880.0     t(k)=298.15  rho.g/cc=1.407

HAN315

oxid = HAN C 0.064 H 4.296 N 2.062 O 4.1 P 0.008 wt%= 44.5
h,cal=-93980. t(k)=298.15 rho.g/cc=1.685
oxid = HEHN C 2.0 H 9.0 N 3.0 O 4.0 wt%= 44.5
h,cal=-108000. t(k)=298.15 rho.g/cc=1.428
oxid = WATER H 2.0 O 1.0 wt%= 11.0
h,cal=-68000. t(k)=298.15 rho.g/cc=1.0

HNO3

oxid HNO3(L) H 1 N 1 O 3   wt%=100.00
h,cal=-42460.0     t(k)=298.15  rho.g/cc=1.5027

IRFNA

oxid IRFNA  H 1.57216 N 1.62945 O 4.69505 F 0.02499   wt%=100.00
h,cal=-64860.0     t(k)=298.15  rho.g/cc=1.48

LO2

oxid O2(L)  O 2
h,cal=-3102.      t(k)=90.18       wt%=100.

LO2_NASA

oxid O2(L)  O 2
h,cal=-3102.055      t(k)=90.17       wt%=100.

LOX

oxid O2(L)  O 2
h,cal=-3102.      t(k)=90.18       wt%=100.

MON15

oxid N2O4(L)   N 2 O 4   wt%=62.01
h,cal=-4676.0     t(k)=298.15
oxid N2O3   N 2 O 3   wt%=37.99
h,cal=12020.7     t(k)=298.15

MON25

oxid N2O4(L)   N 2 O 4   wt%=36.67
h,cal=-4676.0     t(k)=298.15
oxid N2O3   N 2 O 3   wt%=63.33
h,cal=12020.7     t(k)=298.15

MON3

oxid N2O4(L)   N 2 O 4   wt%=100.00
h,cal=-4676.0     t(k)=298.15

N2F4

oxid N2F4(L)  N 2 F 4
h,cal=-5200.0      t(k)=199.0       wt%=100.

N2H4

oxid N2H4(L)  N 2 H 4    wt%=100.
h,cal=12100.0     t(k)=298.15   rho=1.0036

N2O

oxid NitrousOxide  N 2.0 O 1.0  wt%=100.00
h,cal= 19467.0 t(k)=298.15

N2O3

oxid N2O3(L)   N 2 O 3   wt%=100.00
h,cal=12020.7     t(k)=298.15

N2O4

oxid N2O4(L)   N 2 O 4   wt%=100.00
h,cal=-4676.0     t(k)=298.15

N2O_nbp

oxid NitrousOxide  N 2.0 O 1.0  wt%=100.00
h,cal= 14583.0 t(k)=184.4

O2

oxid O2(L)  O 2
h,cal=-3102.      t(k)=90.18       wt%=100.

OF2

oxid OF2(L)  O 1 F 2
h,cal=2524.      t(k)=167.0       wt%=100.

Peroxide90

oxid H2O2(L) H 2 O 2  wt%=90.00
h,cal=-44880.0     t(k)=298.15  rho.g/cc=1.407
oxid = WATER H 2.0 O 1.0 wt%= 10.0
h,cal=-68317. t(k)=298.15 rho.g/cc=1.0

Peroxide98

oxid H2O2(L) H 2 O 2  wt%=98.00
h,cal=-44880.0     t(k)=298.15  rho.g/cc=1.407
oxid = WATER H 2.0 O 1.0 wt%= 2.0
h,cal=-68317. t(k)=298.15 rho.g/cc=1.0

Fuels

A50

fuel C2H8N2(L),UDMH wt% 50.   t(k) 298.15
h,cal=11900.0     t(k)=298.15   rho=.783
fuel N2H4(L)  N 2 H 4    wt%=50.
h,cal=12100.0     t(k)=298.15   rho=1.0036

Acetylene

fuel Acetylene  C 2 H 2   wt%=100.
h,cal=54324.     t(k)=198.3   rho=0.9

AL

fuel  Aluminum  t(k)=298.15 AL 1                               wt%=100.00
h,cal=0.0     t(k)=298.15

AP

fuel NH4CLO4(I)       wt%=100.00

B2H6

fuel B2H6(L)   B 2 H 6
h,cal=4970.0      t(k)=180.0       wt%=100.

C2H2

fuel Acetylene  C 2 H 2   wt%=100.
h,cal=54324.     t(k)=198.3   rho=0.9

C2H5OH

fuel C2H5OH(L)   C 2 H 6 O 1
h,cal=-66370.0      t(k)=298.15       wt%=100.

C2H6

fuel C2H6(L) C 2 H 6     wt%=100.
h,cal=-24797.0     t(k)=184.56   rho=0.5808

C2H6_167

fuel C2H6(L) C 2 H 6     wt%=100.
h,cal=-25296.0     t(k)=167.0   rho=0.5808

C3H8

fuel C3H8(L) C 3 H 8     wt%=100.
h,cal=-30372.     t(k)=231.08   rho=0.5808

CFx

fuel CFx    C 1.0 F 1.0   wt%=100.00
h,cal=57863.0     t(k)=298.15   rho=1.8200

CH3OH

fuel CH3OH(L)   C 1 H 4 O 1
h,cal=-57040.0      t(k)=298.15       wt%=100.

CH4

fuel CH4(L) C 1 H 4     wt%=100.
h,cal=-21390.     t(k)=111.66   rho=0.4239

CINCH

fuel CINCH(L)     C 4.     H 10.    N 4.
h,cal=66550.      t(k)=298.15             wt%=100.

DMAZ

fuel dmaz C 4.0 H 10.0 N 4.0 wt%= 100.00
h,cal=66548. t(k)=298.15 rho,g/cc = 0.93

ECP_dimer

fuel ECP-dimer(L) C 10.    H 10.
h,cal=123600.     t(k)=298.15                     wt%=100.

Ethanol

fuel C2H5OH(L)   C 2 H 6 O 1
h,cal=-66370.0      t(k)=298.15       wt%=100.

ETHANOL

fuel C2H5OH(L)   C 2 H 6 O 1
h,cal=-66370.0      t(k)=298.15       wt%=100.

Gasoline

fuel Gasoline  C 8 H 18
h,cal=-49809.     t(k)=298.15   rho=0.7025

GCH4

fuel CH4(G) C 1 H 4
h,cal=-17895.0      t(k)=298.15       wt%=100.

GH2

fuel H2(G)  H 2
h,cal=0.      t(k)=298.15       wt%=100.

GH2_160

fuel H2(G)  H 2
h,cal=-940.      t(k)=160.0       wt%=100.

H2

fuel H2(L)  H 2
h,cal=-2154.0      t(k)=20.27       wt%=100.

H2O

fuel water H 2.0 O 1.0  wt%=100.0
h,cal=-68308.  t(k)=298.15 rho,g/cc = 0.9998

HTPB

fuel R-45(HTPB FROM_RPL_DATA) C 7.3165 H 10.3360 O 0.1063    wt%=100.00
h,cal= 1200.0 t(k)=298.15 rho=0.9220

Isopropanol

fuel C3H8O-2propanol C 3 H 8 O 1    wt%=100.
h,cal=-65133.     t(k)=298.15   rho=0.786

JetA

fuel Jet-A(L)  C  12.0 H  23.0
h,cal=-72466.6     t(k)=298.15   rho=0.815

JP10

fuel JP10  C 10 H 16  wt%=100.00
h,cal=-29350.     t(k)=298.15   rho=0.9318

JP4

fuel Kerosene  C 1 H 1.9532  wt%=50.00
h,cal=-5769.     t(k)=298.15   rho=0.8
fuel Gasoline  C 8 H 18  wt%=50.00
h,cal=-49809.     t(k)=298.15   rho=0.7025

JPX

fuel C2H8N2(L),UDMH wt%=60.   t(k) 298.15
h,cal=11900.0     t(k)=298.15   rho=.783
fuel Kerosene  C 1 H 1.9532  wt%=30.00
h,cal=-5769.     t(k)=298.15   rho=0.8
fuel Gasoline  C 8 H 18  wt%=30.00
h,cal=-49809.     t(k)=298.15   rho=0.7025

Kerosene

fuel Kerosene  C 1 H 1.9532
h,cal=-5769.     t(k)=298.15   rho=0.8

Kerosene90_H2O10

fuel Kerosene  C 1 H 1.9532  wt%=90.00
h,cal=-5769.     t(k)=298.15   rho=0.8
fuel = WATER H 2.0 O 1.0  wt%= 10.0
h,cal=-68317. t(k)=298.15 rho.g/cc=1.0

LCH4_NASA

fuel CH4(L) C 1 H 4     wt%=100.
h,cal=-21327.199     t(k)=111.643   rho=0.4239

LH2

fuel H2(L)  H 2
h,cal=-2154.0      t(k)=20.27       wt%=100.

LH2_NASA

fuel H2(L)  H 2
h,cal=-2153.920      t(k)=20.27       wt%=100.

M20

fuel CH6N2(L)  C 1 H 6 N 2  wt%=20.0
h,cal=12900.0     t(k)=298.15   rho=.874
fuel N2H4(L)  N 2 H 4    wt%=80.0
h,cal=12100.0     t(k)=298.15   rho=1.0036

M20_NH3

fuel CH6N2(L)  C 1 H 6 N 2  wt%=17.9
h,cal=12900.0     t(k)=298.15   rho=.874
fuel N2H4(L)  N 2 H 4    wt%=71.6
h,cal=12100.0     t(k)=298.15   rho=1.0036
fuel NH3(L)   N 1 H 3      wt%=10.5
h,cal=-17090.     t(k)=298.15   rho=0.676

Methanol

fuel CH3OH(L)   C 1 H 4 O 1
h,cal=-57040.0      t(k)=298.15       wt%=100.

METHANOL

fuel CH3OH(L)   C 1 H 4 O 1
h,cal=-57040.0      t(k)=298.15       wt%=100.

MHF3

fuel CH6N2(L)  C 1 H 6 N 2  wt%=86.0
h,cal=12900.0     t(k)=298.15   rho=.874
fuel N2H4(L)  N 2 H 4    wt%=14.0
h,cal=12100.0     t(k)=298.15   rho=1.0036

MMH

fuel CH6N2(L)  C 1     H 6     N 2     wt%=100.00
h,cal=12900.0     t(k)=298.15   rho=.874

N2H4

fuel N2H4(L)  N 2 H 4    wt%=100.
h,cal=12100.0     t(k)=298.15   rho=1.0036

NH3

fuel NH3(L)   N 1 H 3      wt%=100.
h,cal=-17090.     t(k)=298.15   rho=0.676

NITROMETHANE

fuel nitroMethane C 1. H 3. N 1. O 2. wt%= 100.00
h,cal=-27030. t(k)=298.15  rho,g/cc =1.1371

Propane

fuel C3H8(L) C 3 H 8     wt%=100.
h,cal=-30372.     t(k)=231.08   rho=0.5808

Propylene

fuel C3H6,propylene C 3 H 6    wt%=100.
h,cal=4776.92     t(k)=298.15   rho=0.0018

propylene

fuel C3H6,propylene C 3 H 6    wt%=100.
h,cal=4776.92     t(k)=298.15   rho=0.0018

RP1

fuel RP-1  C 1 H 1.9423
h,cal=-5430.     t(k)=298.15   rho=0.773

RP1_NASA

fuel RP-1  C 1 H 1.95
h,cal=-5907.672     t(k)=298.15   rho=0.773

RP_1

fuel RP-1  C 1 H 1.9423
h,cal=-5430.     t(k)=298.15   rho=0.773

UDMH

fuel C2H8N2(L),UDMH wt% 50.   t(k) 298.15
h,cal=11900.0     t(k)=298.15   rho=.783

Monoprop & Solid

AMT_2091

name NH4NO3         H  4.9968 O  3.7476 N  2.4984                   wt%=75.00
h,cal=-109019.9966   t(k)=298.15   rho=1.7250
name (NH4)2CR2O7   H  3.1733 O  2.7766  N  0.7933  CR 0.7933        wt%=2.00
h,cal=-168780.   t(k)=298.15   rho=2.1500
name A-20_GENPOL  C  4.5500  H  7.1000  O  2.3900                   wt%=7.24
h,cal=-111000.   t(k)=298.15   rho=1.0380
name METHYL_ACRYLATE   C  4.6464  H  6.9696  O  2.3232              wt%=11.08
h,cal=-111300.   t(k)=298.15   rho=1.2000
name POLYSTYRENE  C  7.6817  H  7.6817                              wt%=3.957
h,cal=8000.   t(k)=298.15   rho=1.0600
name MAKP   C  5.3768  H 10.7535  O  1.5362  wt%=0.40
h,cal=-134060.   t(k)=298.15   rho=0.8500
name CALCIUM_PHOSPHATE  P  0.6447  CA 0.9671 O  2.5790              wt%=0.50
h,cal=-300500.   t(k)=298.15   rho=3.1400
name TIN_OCTOATE  C  3.9497 H  7.4057 O  0.9874 PB 0.0948 CU 0.1521 wt%=0.003
h,cal=-76120.   t(k)=298.15   rho=1.0000
name LECITHIN  C  5.5611 H 11.1223 O  1.2692 N  0.1208              wt%=0.18
h,cal=-63010.   t(k)=298.15   rho=1.0220

AP10_RDX25_HTPB

name NH4CLO4(I)       wt%=10.0
name RDX    C 1.3506 H 2.7011 O 2.7011 N 2.7011  wt%=25.00
h,cal=6610.     t(k)=298.15   rho=1.8200
name R-45(HTPB FROM_RPL_DATA) C 7.3165 H 10.3360 O 0.1063    wt%=65.00
h,cal= 1200.0 t(k)=298.15 rho=0.9220

ARC311

name ARC311  H 3.919935 C 2.237043 N 2.300870 O 2.309573  wt%=100.00
h,cal= 3939.6  t(k)=298.15 rho=1.634

ARC448

name ARC448  H 3.359766 C 2.052322 N 1.932190 O 2.806300  wt%=100.00
h,cal= -36867.1  t(k)=298.15 rho=1.537

ARC452

name ARC452  H 3.694563 C 2.469813 N 1.041212 O 3.251794  wt%=100.00
h,cal= -67947.0  t(k)=298.15 rho=1.473

ARC457

name ARC457  H 4.080395 C 1.238333 N 1.677693 O 3.593891
wt%=100.00 h,cal= -80325.0 t(k)=298.15 rho=1.594

HAN269

name = HAN N 2.0 H 4.0 O 4.0 wt%= 69.15
h,cal=-80962. t(k)=298.15 rho,g/cc = 1.685
name = MEOH C 1.0 H 4.0 O 1.0 wt%= 15.46
h,cal=-57146. t(k)=298.15 rho,g/cc = 0.791
name = water H 2.0 O 1.0 wt%= 14.80
h,cal=-68256. t(k)=298.17 rho,g/cc=1.00
name = AN H 4.0 N 2.0 O 3.0 wt%= 0.59
h,cal=-87380. t(k)=298.17 rho,g/cc=1.725

HAN315

name = HAN C 0.064 H 4.296 N 2.062 O 4.1 P 0.008 wt%= 44.5
h,cal=-93980. t(k)=298.15 rho.g/cc=1.685
name = HEHN C 2.0 H 9.0 N 3.0 O 4.0 wt%= 44.5
h,cal=-108000. t(k)=298.15 rho.g/cc=1.428
name = WATER H 2.0 O 1.0 wt%= 11.0
h,cal=-68000. t(k)=298.15 rho.g/cc=1.0

HPB24

name = diss UA 0.6667 H 2.0000 N 1.3333 wt%= 71.46
h,cal=12094. t(k)=298.15 rho,g/cc = 1.004
name = water H 2.0 O 1.0  wt%=0.5
h,cal=-68308.  t(k)=298.15 rho,g/cc = 0.9998
name = hydra H 4.0 N 2.0 wt%= 4.04
h,cal=12094. t(k)=298.15 rho,g/cc = 1.004
name = hydni N 3.000 H 5.000 O 3.000 wt%= 24.00
h,cal=-50477. t(k)=298.15 rho,g/cc = 1.647

HYD40

name = diss UA 0.800 H 1.600 N 1.200 wt%= 99.5
h,cal=12094. t(k)=298.15 rho,g/cc = 1.004

name = water H 2.0 O 1.0  wt%=0.5
h,cal=-68308.  t(k)=298.15 rho,g/cc = 0.9998
!   THIS IS 40% AMMONIA DISSOCIATION
omit NH3