A Study of the Gas-Phase Chemistry of Solid Propellant Ingredients Using CO2 Laser Heating
Abstract
This research program is designed to address the critical need for data on the gas phase chemistry of solid propellants through the development and application of a Microprobe Mass Spectrometer (MPMS) system. The MPMS systems is being used to study the gas-phase chemistry occurring above solid propellant ingredients and actual solid propellants when they are heated and/or ignited by the heat flux from a Carbon dioxide laser. Currently the MPMS system uses quartz microprobes with orifice sizes of twenty microns which results in a spatial resolution of approximately 100 microns. In addition to the MPMS system, direct and Schlieren photography are being used to study the flame structure and twenty-five micron thermocouples are being used to measure the gas-phase temperature profile. The specific goal of this research is to obtain detailed species profiles of the major reacting species above the surface of the individual propellant ingredients and actual propellants in order to obtain an improved understanding of the controlling chemical processes and of the interactions of binders and oxidizers in heterogeneous propellants. In the testing both heterogeneous and homogeneous propellants are being studied as well as their individual ingredients.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA246510
Entities
People
- Thomas A. Litzinger
Organizations
- Pennsylvania State University