Measurements of Sub-Micron AL203 Particles in Rocket Plumes

Abstract

Transmission measurements using six wavelengths were made through the edges of plumes for solid propellant rocket motors using various propellants and motor geometries. The average values obtained for the aluminum oxide particles were a Sauter mean diameter of O.30+ or -.02 microns, an index of refraction of 1.64 + or -.04 and standard deviation of 1.52+ or -.12 for the assumed monomodal, log-normal size distribution. The results indicated that the small aluminum oxide particles in the plume edge were gamma-AL203, independent of propellant composition, motor operating conditions and nozzle geometry. The good correlation of the data indicated that the small particles can be adequately represented by a monomodal, log-normal distribution.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1992
Accession Number
ADA260888

Entities

People

  • John K. Vaughn

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Aluminum Oxides
  • Combustion
  • Data Acquisition
  • Data Reduction
  • Light Sources
  • Measurement
  • Normal Distribution
  • Optical Properties
  • Particle Size
  • Particles
  • Propellants
  • Refraction
  • Refractive Index
  • Rocket Engines
  • Solid Propellants
  • United States

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerosol Science/Aerosol Physics
  • Rocket Propulsion.