A PARAMETRIC STUDY OF CERTAIN LOW-MOLECULAR-WEIGHT COMPOUNDS AS NUCLEAR ROCKET PROPELLANTS, V. METHANE
Abstract
A parametric investigation was made of a series of low-molecular-weight, high-hydrogen-content compounds as propellants for nuclear-powered rockets. A two-part computational program was carried out for CH4; the results are presented in both tabular and graphic form. The results of the first part of the program are presented in static form, that is, by the conventional Mollier diagram, in which specific enthalpy is plotted against specific entropy, with cross plots of temperature, pressure, and molecular weight. The results of the second part of the program are presented in dynamic form by a series of diagrams in which specific impulse is plotted against pressure, with cross plots of chamber temperature, exhaust temperature, and rocketnozzle area. It was assumed that the propellant gas, starting with a nonzero chamber velocity, maintained instantaneous chemical equilibrium composition as it expanded isentropically through a de Laval nozzle. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1961
- Accession Number
- AD0264422
Entities
People
- F.j. Krieger
Organizations
- RAND Corporation