Ignition, Combustion and Kinetics of Energetic Materials
Abstract
To develop a comprehensive model of nitramine propellant ignition and combustion, the appropriate numerical analysis was developed to solve both transient and steady state combustion, including detailed finite rate chemical kinetics, thermodynamic phase transition, and sub-surface reactions. The model was advanced to predict ignition phenomena. Modeling work was complemented by conducting various experiments. Using fast thermolysis, significant accomplishments were made in studies of the decomposition behavior of propellant ingredients, such as RDX, cellulose acetate butyrate, nitrocellulose, and mixtures of RDX and binders. Intrusive mass spectroscopic techniques were utilized to acquire gas phase species profiles under laser assisted burning of monopropellants and composite propellants. Nonintrusive diagnostic techniques were developed and used to determine temperature and species profiles within propellant flames at elevated pressures, which are needed for model validation. Temperature sensitivities were deduced for RDX and nitramine propellants, and ignition delays were deduced for RDX, HMX and RDX/CAB pseudo propellants. In situ observation of burning surfaces revealed the formation of complex, sooty like structures and intermittent flame attachment. A liquid strand burner was established and successfully demonstrated to have the capability of maintaining a steady liquid propellant (LP) burning surface at the tip of the feeding tube using nitromethane. The burning behavior of nitromethane was also characterized.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 30, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA357836
Entities
People
- K. K. Kuo
- S. T. Thynell
- T. A. Litzinger
- T. B. Brill
- Vigor Yang
Organizations
- Pennsylvania State University