Metallized Fuel Particle Size Study in a Solid Fuel Ramjet

Abstract

Particle size measurements were obtained at the grain exit and nozzle entrance in a solid fuel ramjet combustor using a boron based fuel. The particle size distributions at the aft end of the fuel grain were generally quadra-modal, with mode peaks at 2, 4,15, and 25 - 45 microns. At the nozzle entrance the distributions were tri-modal, due to the complete oxidation of the 2 micron particles. Sauter mean diameter and the size of the largest agglomerates increased with increasing equivalence ratio (or grain length), indicating that the longer grains result in more surface agglomeration. Combustion efficiency increased with equivalence ratio. A direct correlation of particle size alone with combustion efficiency was not obvious and may require an accurate measurement of particle concentration. Keywords: Integral rocket ramjet engines; Rocket propellant grains; Solid fuel ramjet engines; Combustion; Laser particle measurement; Metallized rocket fuels. Theses.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 1989
Accession Number
ADA220079

Entities

People

  • James A. Nabity

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Beam Steering
  • Combustion
  • Combustion Products
  • Data Acquisition
  • Heat Transfer
  • Hydrocarbon Fuels
  • Hydrocarbons
  • Hydroxyl Terminated Polybutadiene
  • Ignition
  • Integral Rocket Ramjets
  • Materials Laboratories
  • Materials Processing
  • Measurement
  • Particle Size
  • Ramjet Engines
  • Rocket Ramjets
  • Solid Propellants

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerosol Science/Aerosol Physics
  • Regression Analysis.
  • Rocket Propulsion.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy