Transient Combustion in Granular Propellant Beds. Part II. Experimental Study of Transient Combustion Processes in Mobile Granular Propellant Beds
Abstract
Catastrophic failure of propulsion and gun systems has been attributed to abnormal combustion within granular propellant charges. The effects of igniter strength, propellant type, deterrent concentration, and projectile motion on the overall transient combustion process in granular propellant beds were studied experimentally. The results show that igniter strength significantly affects the duration of the induction period, and also the accelerative behavior of the pressure front traveling through the bed; a weaker igniter causes a more pronounced pressure front acceleration. A large igniter volume was found to reduce the rate of flame spreading and pressurization processes. Combustion of slightly deterred propellants produced extremely rapid flame spreading, higher peak pressures, and higher pressurization rates than regularly deterred propellants. Propellant particle geometry was found to greatly affect the rate of total mass consumption within a propellant bed and thereby influence the peak pressures and pressure wave phenomena within the bed. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1977
- Accession Number
- ADA045001
Entities
People
- K. K. Kuo
- T. R. Davis
Organizations
- Pennsylvania State University