Experimental Support for and Analysis of Infrared Emission Data from Solid Propellant Combustion Tests

Abstract

The objective of this program was to analyze infrared emission spectra from solid propellant combustion to obtain a better understanding of the chemical, physical, and radiative processes occurring in these flames. The spectra analyzed were obtained in the High Pressure Combustion Lab. of the Pennsylvania State Univ. using an infrared spectrometer and a strand burner. Comparing measured data with predictive models for emission from a substantial number of molecules whose radiative properties are well known allows determination of temperature and species concentrations in flame hot regions. Observed spectra can also be analyzed to yield radiative parameters for less known radiators. Preliminary work included estimates of flowfield parameters, detailed chemical kinetics calculations to track conversion of initial decomposition products, the construction of line and band radiation models for several molecules. Analysis of observed spectra began with an inspection to determine what molecules contributed spectral features. Several techniques were evaluated which used spectral features to evaluate hot region temperatures. These included using the widths of C02 and H20 bands, the strengths ratios of low resolution H20 bands, and the peak intensities of resolved lines in HCR and HF bands. Relative concentrations were derived for several combustion product molecules which were in accord with propellant compositions. Keywords: Solid rocket propellants.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 31, 1990
Accession Number
ADA226454

Entities

People

  • J. Wormhoudt
  • K. D. Annen

Organizations

  • Aerodyne Research

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Chemical Kinetics
  • Chemical Reactions
  • Chemistry
  • Combustion
  • Combustion Products
  • Computational Fluid Dynamics
  • Computers
  • Data Analysis
  • Exothermic Reactions
  • Hot Regions
  • Measurement
  • Molecules
  • Propellants
  • Solid Propellants
  • Spectra
  • Spectrometers
  • Turbulent Mixing

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Atmospheric Remote Sensing.
  • Combustion science or combustion engineering.