Solid Propellant Combustion Mechanism Studies
Abstract
In order to explore the limits of validity of the granular diffusion flame theory of solid propellant combustion in the limiting low pressure regime, a systematic study of burning rates and particle size effects has been conducted at subatmospheric pressures. In addition, flame extinction phenomena were explored and flame photographs and chemical analysis of reaction residues were carried out. In connection with the extinction study, a new regime of combustion was discovered for certain polysulfide composite propellants containing fine oxidizer particles. When the flames of these propellants are visibly extinguished by reducing the environmental pressure, a combustion wave continues to propagate through the propellant with the formation of an ash. There are at least two possibilities for interpreting this flameless regression. The first interpretation is that it is evidence of an oxidation reaction taking place at the solid surface or inside the thermal wave. The second interpretation is that the combustion wave in an AP propellant propagates simply as the result of exothermic pyrolysis of the AP without additional heat from subsurface or surface oxidation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1965
- Accession Number
- AD0467729
Entities
People
- Joseph Wenograd
- Martin Summerfield
- William J. Most
Organizations
- Princeton University