Condensed phase reaction of boron with potassium nitrate

The reaction process of boron (B) and potassium nitrate (PN) was examined with a thermochemical analysis. The process consists of a three-stage gasification reaction. A significant heat is produced in the first-stage process which is caused by the reaction B + KNO₃ → KBO₂ + NO. In the second-stage process, the remaining unreacted PN decomposes to produce gaseous oxidizing fragments. The KBO₂ produced in the first-stage process decomposes in the third-stage process. Thc heat produced in the first-stage process is correlated with the mass fraction of B mixed within the B/PN mixture.