RESEARCH ON SOLID PROPELLANT IGNITION. PART I. THEORETICAL SEARCH FOR ANALYTICAL SOLUTIONS TO THE GAS PHASE IGNITION PROBLEM. PART II. EFFECTS OF FUEL VOLATILITY AND OTHER PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL FACTORS ON IGNITABILITY.
Abstract
The mechanism of ignition being analyzed is based on the hypothesis that the runaway reaction occurs in the gas phase, in a thin boundary layer adjacent to the solid propellant surface being heated, between the reactive fuel and oxident vapors liberated from the surface. Differential equations can be written for the diffusion of vapors from the surface, reaction in the gas phase, heat feedback to the surface, and heating up of the surface. As a first treatment the propellant is taken as a simple fuel and the oxidant is available only in the gas phase. An experimental study was conducted to determine the ignition delay time for various hydrocarbons and for solid propellants when exposed suddenly to a hot, high pressure oxidizing atmosphere. The main purpose was to measure effects that would help in a diagnostic way to decide whether the gas phase theory of ignition is based on the correct physical model. Attempts were made to relate the ignition delay to physical and chemical properties of the fuel to test the hypothesis that the ignition reaction of these compounds starts in the gas phase. A 19 foot long, 1.6 inch I.D. shock tube was used as an investigating tool. The test gas was heated to 1400K behind the reflected shock wave at the end wall of the shock tube. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0634276
Entities
People
- C. H. Waldman
- Lubomyr Kurylko
Organizations
- Princeton University