Rocket Chamber Temperature Measurements by Microwave Techniques

Abstract

Microwave attenuation techniques are used to find the combustion chamber temperature of a solid rocket motor, and the predicted value calculated by a theoretical specific impulse computer program and the value calculated with the microwave measurements agree within three percent. The propellants used in this investigation were seeded with five percent potassium perchlorate by weight to furnish enough electrons in the plasma to cause measurable attenuation. The propellants were also seeded with 5 to 10 percent aluminum to produce suspended metallic particles in the plasma. The temperature profile inside the combustion chamber is determined for a distance of two inches away from the burning surface by scanning the focused microwave signal transverse to the combustion chamber and by using the motion of the burning surface with respect to the antennas.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 1974
Accession Number
ADA002245

Entities

People

  • James L. Hou
  • Richard W. Grow

Organizations

  • University of Utah

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acoustic Waves
  • Air Force
  • Burning Rate
  • Combustion
  • Combustion Chambers
  • Computer Programs
  • Electrons
  • Energy
  • Free Electrons
  • Heat Transfer
  • Measurement
  • Rocket Engines
  • Solid Propellants
  • Standing Waves
  • Temperature Gradients
  • Wave Equations
  • Wave Propagation

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Atmospheric Remote Sensing.
  • Plasma Physics / Magnetohydrodynamics
  • Rocket Propulsion.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics