Experimental Characteristics of Particle Dynamics within Solid Rocket Motors Environments
Abstract
Reliable measurements of the particulate dynamics and morphology within solid rocket motors are required to develop and validate numerical codes, as well as to develop improved understanding. For example, quantifying accurately the effect of binder systems on aluminum and alumina particle morphology in realistic environments is of great interest. An effort is underway to develop experimental methods to unobtrusively characterize the morphology and velocity of particles leaving the burning surface of a solid propellant. Atmospheric tests were considered first to develop and validate the diagnostic methods. Elevated pressure experiments were then conducted inside a windowed pressure vessel. Two composite propellants with different binders were considered, one consisting of HTPB/AP/Al and another with PBAN/AP/Al. The dynamics of aluminum and alumina particles formed during the combustion were accurately tracked, even on and near the propellant surface. A maximum velocity of ~7.21 ft/s (2.2 m/s) in the axial direction was observed during testing of the HTPB/AP/Al propellant, while a maximum velocity of 6.33 ft/s (1.93 m/s) was observed for the AP/PBAN/AL, both at 1 atm. The maximum velocity for the PBAN/AP/Al propellant decreased to 5.38 ft/s (1.64 m/s) during the elevated pressure tests. Distinct differences in the morphology of the particles, caused by the different binder systems used in the propellant mixtures, can be clearly seen in the results. During the experiments, images were gathered at 6000 frames per second by a high-speed camera using a variety of optics and filters. The gathered data was processed using statistical image correlation velocimetry. Results were also obtained in cross flow using a modified windowed motor.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 03, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA502582
Entities
People
- James E. Moore
- Jinhyuk Lim
- S. F. Son
- Y. R. Sivathanu
Organizations
- Purdue University