Laser Probes of Propellant Combustion Chemistry.

Abstract

Laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) can be used to measure the atomic, diatomic, and triatomic free radicals that are the intermediates in combustion chemistry. Coupled with detailed models, which incorporate a sound and consistent set of reaction rate constants, such measurements can lead to an understanding of that chemistry, having predictive value for use under experimentally difficult conditions. This report describes the development of LIF techniques, the applications of such techniques of flames and to laser pyrolysis/laser fluorescence kinetics experiments, studies of rate constant estimations and detailed modeling of combustion chemistry. The chemistry studied is that of combusting mixtures of CH4/N2O, CH2O/N2O, CH2O/NO2, and related compounds. These contain the chemical networks, individual reactions, and radical species present in the gas-phase combustion of nitramine propellants, such as HMX and RDX. The tasks described are LIF diagnostic studies on O, N, OH, NCO, and NH2 in flow systems and flames, rate constant estimation studies for unimolecular decomposition of CH2O and several hydrocarbons, modelling of the CH2O/N2O flame, and laser pyrolysis/laser fluorescence studies of CH4/N2O and CH2O/N2O chemistry.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 29, 1984
Accession Number
ADA140767

Entities

People

  • D. M. Golden
  • D. R. Crosley
  • G. P. Smith

Organizations

  • SRI International

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Alkanes
  • Chemical Kinetics
  • Chemical Products
  • Chemical Reaction Properties
  • Chemical Reactions
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Combustion
  • Dissociation
  • Energy Transfer
  • Frequency Combs
  • Laser Applications
  • Laser Beams
  • Measurement
  • Physics Laboratories
  • Spectra
  • Spectroscopy

Fields of Study

  • Chemistry

Readers

  • Combustion science or combustion engineering.
  • Molecular Photonics/Laser Physics

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy