Is nitrous oxide safe? - Swiss Propulsion Laboratory

Potential ti risks 2N 2 O is a monopropellant (as H 2 O 2 or Hydrazine)!• Under certain conditions more energy is produced by the decomposition thannecessary to reach the decomposition temperature run away reaction!N 2 O(g) —> N 2 (g) + ½O 2 (g) + 82 kJ/mol• Particularly the vapor phase can lead to a deflagration or even a detonation atpressures > 5.7 bar if a contamination of fuel is present• Catalysts can lower the critical temperature to 250 °C (E.g. copper and its oxides)8 © SPL, 5.10.2007