Shock Tube/Laser Absorption Studies of the Decomposition of Fuel Surrogates
Abstract
The high-temperature decomposition of two rocket fuel (kerosene) surrogate components, ndodecane and methylcyclohexane (MCH), have been studied using laser absorption in both high- and low-pressure shock tubes. Species time-histories of both the parent fuel and the primary decomposition product, ethylene, were recorded during the high-temperature pyrolysis of these fuels using IR laser absorption. Fuel mole fraction was monitored using absorption of an IR HeNe laser at 3.39 microns and ethylene mole fraction was monitored using absorption of the P14 line of a CO2 gas laser near 10.53 microns. Measurements provide overall fuel-decomposition rate constants for both fuels and these measurements are further related to elementary reaction rate constants for n-dodecane decomposition. The species time-history data provide unique kinetic targets for the testing and validation of RP-fuel surrogate mechanisms. In particular, fuel decomposition rate and ethylene yield data were used to test fuel decomposition reaction rates and pathway branching ratios found in current reaction mechanisms.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 21, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA525367
Entities
People
- D. F. Davidson
- G. Pilla
- M. E. Macdonald
- Ronald Kenneth Hanson
Organizations
- Stanford University