Decomposition Kinetics of the Rocket Oxidizer Ammonium Perchlorate

Abstract

The effect of catalysts on the deflagration pressure-limit and the burning rate of ammonium perchlorate was studied. The catalysts used were copper chromite, ferric oxide, cupric oxide and potassium permanganate. Copper chromite, Fe2O3, and CuO increased the lower pressure limit of deflagration when present at small concentrations and decreased it at large concentrations. Potassium permanganate, both mechanically mixed and co-crystallized with ammonium perchlorate, had a similar effect on the lower pressure limit. However, at large concentrations of KMnO4, an upper pressure limit was observed above which deflagration could not be maintained. Catalysts were much more effective at smaller particle sizes. The effect of these catalysts on the burning rate was a function of the pressure.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 31, 1972
Accession Number
AD0746728

Entities

People

  • Eugene E. Petersen
  • F. Shadman-yazdi

Organizations

  • University of California, Berkeley

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Burning Rate
  • Cameras
  • Combustion
  • Combustion Chambers
  • Composite Propellants
  • Crystal Structure
  • Crystals
  • Exothermic Reactions
  • High Pressure
  • Material Degradation Processes
  • Motion Picture Cameras
  • Nitrogen Oxides
  • Perchlorates
  • Propellants
  • Rocket Oxidizers
  • Solid Propellants
  • Solid Rocket Oxidizers

Readers

  • Combustion science or combustion engineering.
  • Electrochemical Engineering/ Fuel Cell Technologies
  • Rocket Propulsion.