DEVELOPMENT OF KRAFTSTOFF "A" AT ZAVOD NO.1, PODBEREZYE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP81-01030R000100300002-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 23, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 9, 2013
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: November 3, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

50X1-HUM
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/12 : CIA-RDP81-01030R000100300002-5
' CENTRAL -INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
1N FORMATION REPORT
SECRET
. SECURITY INFORMATION
COUNTRY
SUBJECT
. ,
DATE OF INFO.
USSR (Kalinin Oblast)
Development. of 1Craftstoff "A"
at Zavod No. 11 Podberezye
RLACE ACQUIRES
? REPORT
'DATE DISTR.
NO. OF PAGES
REQUIREMEN
REFERENCES
50X1
?
,
3 Noveraber 1953'
X50X1' -HUM
50X1-HUM
THE *SOURCE EVALUATIONS IN THIS REPORT A.FINENN,ItIVE.
THE APPRAISAL OF CONTENT IS TENTATIVE:71'
(FOR KEY SEE REVERSE) \ 4
50X1-HUM,
SECRET
50X1-HUM
STATE STATE
ARMY I#X
NAVY
byx
AIR
1#x
FBI
AEC
osr Ev
ATIC En 50X1-HUM
(Note: Washington Distribution Indicated By "X"; Field Distribution By "#".)
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/12,: CIA-RDP81-01030R000100300002-5
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/12 : CIA-RDP81-01030R000100300002-5
f ? 4.
SECRET
SEOURITY INFORMATION
50X1-HUM
COUNTRY USSR (Kalinin.ablast)
,50X1-HUM
DATE DISTR. / 3 ocT.53
:SUBJECT DevelopMeht of Kraftstoff "A at Zavod No.1, NO. OF PAGES 3
Podberezye
.PLACE
ACQUIRED
DATE
ACQUIRED
? DATE OF INFORMATION
THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION
NO. CW ENCLS.
(LISTED BELOW)
50X1-HUM
SUPPLEMENT. TO
REPORT NO,
50X1-HUM
SPECIFICATIONS OF ROCKET FUEL. KRAFTSTOFF "A" 50X1-HUM
1.
the German specialist group,.Zavod No.1, Pod-
Ispecial rocket fuel problems in connection.with
oerezye.
:the 346 aircraft (Me 163) specifically for use in the Walther liquid
rocket engine. Among the fuels investigated was a sodium metal-
.
.kerosene.type fuel which was designed to give hypergolic action with
either T-Stoff (80 per cent hydrogen peroxide) or 98 per cent nitric
acid (Salbei).
2.
For the preparation
of this fuel, a keiosene (referred to in the:post .
specification is Kerosene "A" was used. The 11,pii specification
number was not available No specification properties of thiS 50X1-HUM
kerosene are recalled. oHowever, the specific type of kerosene was
not important. The only consideration was the removal of water.
The first step in the manafacture of this fuel was the production of
a concentrated sodium suspension in the kerosene. Therefore, sodiui
particles of 0.05 to 0..12 millimeter diameter were necessary. The
purity of the metal its:a)*as not determined. Sodium of unknown
origin arrived in shaet-metal containers and was covered with
paraffin, approximately 10 kilograms to the baph. This material
was placed in a container surrounded by a 120 C oil bath, which
was sufficient to melt the metal. After melting, oil pressure from
underneath foroed the molten podium through a small_nozzle at the
top of the container and into a 'stream of cold, flowing kerosene.
SECRET_
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/12 : CIA-RDP81-01030R000100300002-5
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/12 : CIA-RDP81-01030R000100300002-5
SECRET
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There it condensed as small particles of approximately the afore-
mentioned dietheter. This mkture was then filtered. At this stage
of the manufacture, the concentrated suspension consisted of aliproxi-
mately 20 to 30 per cent sodium metal in kerosene and was given the
the name of Pena, a compound name of petroleum and natrium (sodium).
It must be emphasized that this was a mechanical suspension only and
no stabilizers were incorporated.
4. Pena, a thixotrope consisting of kerosene containing sodium sterate,
sodium oleate, with steaiio and oleate acid was prepared as a diluent
for the concentrated sodium suspension. The concentrations used for
this thixotrope were 0.3 - 0.5 per cent of a 50/50 mixture sodium
stearate and sodium oldate, with 0.03 - 0.05 per cent steario and
oleatic acid. These materials were dissolved in kerosene which had '
been heated to 170 -180 C. When cooled, the mixture formed a thin jell.
It was impossible to manufacture batches of this material in vessels
larger than 10-20 centimeters ih diameter for the simple reason that
the jellls own weight was sufficient to cause self destruction.
5. The next step was to mechanically destroy this jell. In order to do
this, it was filtered through a 0.05 millimeter mesh screen using
either a vacuum or gas pressure to aid filteration. The result was
the finished thixotrope. A test to determine exact strength of the
thixotrope, used by the laboratory for a standard control was as
follows* Approximately 10 ccs, of material was placed in a cylinder
and loaded with 50 pp.. of. calcium carbonate. This was allowed to
stand for 24 hours, after which time a clear layer of kerosene had
formed above the thixotrope. The height of this layer was compared to
the original height of the sample before loading. No more than 10
per cent separation of kerosene was allowed. Viscosity measurements
were Made using a falling ball, a tensiometer attached to a paddle,
and by pumping the mixture through standard sized tubes.
6. Mixing of two components to form the final production was ac-
complished in open vats using 90 per cent thixotrope with 10 per
cent of the 20 - 30 per cent sodium suspension (Pena). This final
fuel was given the name Kraftstoff "A" (because it was made with
Kerosene "A) by the Germans and the name Goryuchp"A" r-c)p h004/1015/4
by the Soviets. The method was very primitive and no.allowance or
control of moisture in the air was made. Although the parti.cles of
sodium were larger than colloidal size, the viscosity -of the suspen-
sion was sufficient to prevent settling out. It was found. that'the
kerosene thixotrope, without sodium, could be stored for as long. as
two years without being destroyed, however, with sodium the minimum
life was about two to three months. In the final product and follow-
ing a longer storage period, the sodium particles absorbed.a kerosene
film or layer which interfered with hypergolic combustion. Common
iron tanks were used for storage.
7. Kraftetoff "A" was tested with 90 per cent nitric acid in the'labe-
atory at Zavod No. 1. NICHEALIS designed the test motor used: :The
thrust which was small 'Was approximately 10 to 20 kilograms or less.
It wae learned by experimentation that the nitric acid should be
admitted to the combustion chamber first when using this fuel. Kraft-
etoff "A" was used merely as a starting medium and arrangements were
made to switch the fuel flow to standard kerosene once combustion had
begun. It was necessary to install a small screen in the fuel line
between the control valve and combustion chamber nozzle to remove
oversized sodium particles, i. e., particles that had been flattened
by the high rate of flow through the valve. This was to prevent
clogging of the combustion, chamber nozzle.
SECRET
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/12 : CIA-RDP81-01030R000100300002-5
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/12 : CIA-RDP81-01030R000100300002-5
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8. The aim of the'entire program was to develop a method making
kerosene hypergolic with nitric acid. Jintermit5oX1HUM
tent firing in a missile, which would thereby allow a longer controlled
power flight. The original order to investigate a method of making the
hypergol came from the Soviets (about 1948). At that time, the Soviets
did not appear to have a particular development in mind. Chemists
from the Air Ministry carefully checked progress on the work but were
never friendly enough to discuss projects. Flow of the thixotrope to
the laboratory test motor was achieved by use of nitrogen gas pressure
alone. No method of vibration was used to make the material fluid. It
was impossible to khow whether or not use of this fuel in the USSR will
be continued. _ _ very little was to be
done with the'fuel and that the Soviets did not even understand the
manner in which it might be used.
50X1-HUM
9. In addition tO the laboratory test motor used in the development of
Kraftetoff "A", one other test stand existed. This was a .Walther-Kiel
motor of the design used in the 346. The only fuel used in this motor
was T-Stoff and C-Stoff. This motor was built in Zavod No. 1 and not
received as captured equipment from Germany.
10. thansmitted to ATIC.under separate cover is a speciman of it. metal
This was made according. to the 50X1-HUM
same specifications as German V2A,and was used for the manufacture of 50X1-HUM
instruments, pump parts, and rocket combustion chambers which utilizes
T-Stoff or concentrated nitric acid as an oxidizer.
this material, when welded, corrodes. primarily around the edges of the
well. The usual.method making& wW4 was with.aoetylene .type pf equip-
ment. V2A corresponds roughly to 184 stainless steel2
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/12 : CIA-RDP81-01030R000100300002-5