Kinetic Reaction Coefficients in Rocket Exhaust Plumes
Abstract
Pergament and Jensen recently have developed a model for estimating the densities of neutral and charged species for an afterburning plume of a solid fuel rocket as a function of distance along the plume. They have compared the predicted electron densities with experimental radar cross section measurements of electron density and find agreement at least within an order of magnitude. The predictions of the model are dependent on the accuracy with which the rate constants used are known. This report describes the work done under AFOSR 74-2672 toward rate constant measurements for those reactions that Pergament and Jenson pointed out as critical to the model and poorly known; dissociative attachment of electrons in HC1, collisional ionization of potassium and chlorine, and three body recombination of potassium. The reactions are closely related in the rocket plume, but diverse experimental procedures are required to measure the rates of the reactions. Potassium is a contaminant of the perchlorate oxidizer in some solid fuels, but because of its low ionization potential, it can make an inordinately large contribution to ionization in the plume.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1978
- Accession Number
- ADA065646
Entities
People
- K. J. Nygaard
- L. D. Schearer
- W. R. Snow
Organizations
- Air Force Office