Lessons Learned in Solid Rocket Combustion Instability
Abstract
Over the last 60 years, a considerable amount of time and money has been spent improving our understanding of combustion instability in solid rocket propulsion systems. Over this period, significant knowledge has been accumulated that can influence the acoustic stability of solid propulsive systems. Unfortunately, many of these lessons learned about combustion instability remain the knowledge of a select few in government and industry who work with combustion instability on a daily basis. This paper attempts to organize many of these rules of thumb that propellant formulators and motor designers need to be aware of in order to minimize the chances of combustion instability. In addition, several mathematical relationships are presented which can be used to predict the frequency of potential acoustic modes and determine resultant thrust oscillations produced by acoustic oscillations. Also included are some key fundamental equations which can be used to gain insight into combustion instability in rocket motor systems and there is a short section on motor instrumentation. This paper is not an attempt to be an exhaustive study into combustion instability, but rather, will attempt to list in a clear fashion some of the more important lessons learned and empirical observations of solid propellant combustion instability. This paper emphasizes composite propellants, but many observations apply to double base and composite modified double base propellants, as well.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 14, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA466858
Entities
People
- Fred S. Blomshield
Organizations
- Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division