SPECIFIC IMPULSE VALUES FOR HYDROGEN AND RDX
Abstract
The purpose of this study is the parametric investigation of hydrogen and RDX as working materials in rockets propelled by contained nuclear explosions (Project HELIOS). Hydrogen, by virtue of its low molecular weight, is the prime working fluid of chemical rockets. RDX is a chemical explosive used in the construction of nuclear implosion devices. Chemically known as cyclomethylene-trinitramine or cyclonite, RDX has the empirical formula C3H6O6N6. A two-part computational program was carried out for each compound. The results are presented in graphic form. The results of the first of the program are presented in static form, i.e., 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 are presented in dynamic form by a series of diagrams in which specific impulse is plotted against chamber pressure with chamber temperature and exhaust pressure as parameters. The specific impulse of hydrogen heated by a nuclear explosion, neglecting fission products, may then be obtained by taking a linear combination of properly weighted specific impulse values for hydrogen and RDX.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1965
- Accession Number
- AD0464592
Entities
People
- F. J. Krieger
Organizations
- RAND Corporation