The regulation of ferrocene-based catalysts on heat transfer in highpressure combustion of ammonium perchlorate/hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene/aluminum composite propellants

The regulation of the burning rate pressure exponent for the ammonium perchlorate/hydroxylterminated polybutadiene/aluminum(AP/HTPB/Al)composite propellants under high pressures is a crucial step for its application in high-pressure solid rocket motors.In this work,the combustion characteristics of AP/HTPB/Al composite propellants containing ferrocene-based catalysts were investigated,including the burning rate,thermal behavior,the local heat transfer,and temperature profile in the range of 7-28 MPa.The results showed that the exponent breaks were still observed in the propellants after the addition of positive catalysts(Ce-Fc-MOF),the burning rate inhibitor((Ferrocenylmethyl)trimethylammonium bromide,Fc Br)and the mixture of Fc Br/catocene(GFP).However,the characteristic pressure has increased,and the exponent decreased from 1.14 to 0.66,0.55,and 0.48 when the addition of Ce-FcMOF,Fc Br and Fc Br/GFP in the propellants.In addition,the temperature in the first decomposition stage was increased by 7.50℃ and 11.40℃ for the AP/Fc Br mixture and the AP/Fc Br/GFP mixture,respectively,compared to the pure AP.On the other hand,the temperature in the second decomposition stage decreased by 48.30℃ and 81.70℃ for AP/Fc Br and AP/Fc Br/GFP mixtures,respectively.It was also found that Fc Br might generate ammonia to cover the AP surface.In this case,a reaction between the methyl in Fc Br and perchloric acid caused more ammonia to appear at the AP surface,resulting in the suppression of ammonia desorption.In addition,the coarse AP particles on the quenched surface were of a concave shape relative to the binder matrix under low and high pressures when the catalysts were added.In the process,the decline at the AP/HTPB interface was only exhibited in the propellant with the addition of Ce-Fc-MOF.The ratio of the gas-phase temperature gradient of the propellants containing catalysts was reduced significantly below and above the characteristic pressure,rather than 3.6 times of the difference in the blank propellant.Overall,the obtained results demonstrated that the pressure exponent could be effectively regulated and controlled by adjusting the propellant local heat and mass transfer under high and low pressures.

A new fluorocarbon adhesive:Inhibiting agglomeration during combustion of propellant via efficient F-Al_(2)O_(3) preignition reaction

Inhibiting the agglomeration of molten aluminum particles packed in the binder network is a promising scheme to achieve efficient combustion of solid propellants.In this investigation,the hydroxyl-terminated structured fluorinated alcohol compound(PFD)was introduced to modify the traditional polyethylene glycol/polytetrahydrofuran block copolymerization(HTPE)binder;that is,a unique fluorinated polyether(FTPE)binder was synthesized by embedding fluorinated organic segments into the HTPE binder via crosslinking curing.The FTPE was applied in aluminum-based propellants for the first time.Due to the complete release of fluorinated organic active segments in the range of 300℃to 400℃,the burning rate of FTPEbased propellant increased from 4.07(0%PFD)to 6.36 mm/s(5%PFD),increased by 56.27%under 1 MPa.The reaction heat of FTPE propellants increased from 5.95(0%PFD)to 7.18 MJ/kg(5%PFD)under 3.0 MPa,indicating that HTPE binder modified with PFD would be conducive to inhibiting the D90 of condensed combustion products(CCPs)dropped by 81.84%from 75.46(0%PFD)to 13.71μm(5%PFD)under 3.0 MPa,in consistent with the significant reduction of aluminum agglomerates observed on the quenched burning surface of the propellants.Those results demonstrated that a novel FTPE binder with PFD can release fluorinated organic active segments,which motivate preignition reaction with the alumina shell in the early stage of aluminum combustion,and then enhance the melting diffusion effect of aluminum to inhibit the agglomeration.

A Model of Steady-State Convective Combustion of Micropore Propellants

Aim To develop a physical and mathematical model related to micropore para- meters of steady-state convective combustion of micropore propellants(MPP). Methods The micropore parameters were measured by WXT-88 mage analysis apparatus and the convective combustion characteristic of MPP was measured by a large volume closed bomb, respectively. Rasults Statistical physical model of burning in the micropore and granular burning were developed. The burning rate equation of steady-state convective combustion of MPP was obtained. Conclusions This model correlates the convective burning rate with micropores para- meters for the first time,and the calculating values of convective burning rate are in agreement with test results.The model also can be used to estimate the effects of microporous parame- ters, basic mass burning rate, MPP density and pressure in combustion chamber on the convective combustion characteristics of MPP.

Controllable combustion behaviors of the laser-controlled solid propellant

Microsatellites have been widely applied in the fields of communication,remote sensing,navigation and science exploration due to its characteristics of low cost,flexible launch mode and short development period.However,conventional solid-propellant have difficulties in starting and interrupting combustion because combustion is autonomously sustained after ignition Herein,we proposed a new type of solid-propellant named laser-controlled solid propellant,which is sensitive to laser irradiation and can be started or interrupted by switching on/off the continuous wave laser.To demonstrate the feasibility and investigate the controllable combustion behaviors under different laser on/off conditions,the combus tion parameters including burning rate,ignition delay time and platform pressure were tested using pressure sensor,high-speed camera and thermographic camera.The results showed that the increase of laser-on or laser-off duration both will lead to the decrease of propellant combustion performance during re-ignition and re-combustion process.This is mainly attributed to the laser attenuation caused by the accumulation of combustion residue and the change of chamber ambient temperature.Simultaneously the multiple ignition tests revealed that the increased chamber ambient temperature after combustion can make up for the energy loss of laser attenuation and expansion of chamber cavity.However,the laser-controlled combustion performance of solid propellant displayed a decrease trend with the addi-tion of ignition times.Nevertheless,the results still exchibited good laser-controlled agility of laser-controlled solid propellant and manifested its inspiring potential in many aspects of space missions.

An overview on properties,thermal decomposition,and combustion behavior of ADN and ADN based solid propellants

Ammonium dinitramide [NH4 N(NO_2)2, ADN] is considered as a possible replacement for ammonium perchlorate(AP) in nearly all kind of solid rocket propulsions in the coming future. The reason to use ADN instead of AP in solid rocket propulsion is because of its harmless combustion products, along with its capacity to generate high specific impulse(Isp). ADN is fairly a new member in the solid oxidizer community and is considered under green energetic material(GEM). Application and feasible utilization of ADN as an oxidizer for composite solid propellants(CSP's) requires complete knowledge of its thermal decomposition processes along with its combustion behavior. A detailed overview on the physical and chemical properties, thermal decomposition, and combustion behavior of ADN and ADN based propellants has been discussed in this paper. Catalytic effect on thermal decomposition, combustion wave structure, and burning rate of ADN is also discussed.

Recent advances in catalytic combustion of AP-based composite solid propellants

Composite solid propellants(CSPs) have widely been used as main energy source for propelling the rockets in both space and military applications. Internal ballistic parameters of rockets like characteristic exhaust velocity, specific impulse, thrust, burning rate etc., are measured to assess and control the performance of rocket motors. The burn rate of solid propellants has been considered as most vital parameter for design of solid rocket motors to meet specific mission requirements. The burning rate of solid propellants can be tailored by using different constituents, extent of oxidizer loading and its particle size and more commonly by incorporating suitable combustion catalysts. Various metal oxides(MOs),complexes, metal powders and metal alloys have shown positive catalytic behaviour during the combustion of CSPs. These are usually solid-state catalysts that play multiple roles in combustion of CSPs such as reduction in activation energy, enhancement of rate of reaction, modification of sequences in reaction-phase, influence on condensed-phase combustion and participation in combustion process in gas-phase reactions. The application of nanoscale catalysts in CSPs has increased considerably in recent past due to their superior catalytic properties as compared to their bulk-sized counterparts. A large surface-to-volume ratio and quantum size effect of nanocatalysts are considered to be plausible reasons for improving the combustion characteristics of propellants. Several efforts have been made to produce nanoscale combustion catalysts for advanced propellant formulations to improve their energetics. The work done so far is largely scattered. In this review, an effort has been made to introduce various combustion catalysts having at least a metallic entity. Recent developments of nanoscale combustion catalysts with their specific merits are discussed. The combustion chemistry of a typical CSP is briefly discussed for providing a better understanding on role of combustion catalysts in burning rate enhancement. Available information on different types of combustion nanocatalysts is also presented with critical comments.

DAMAGE OF A HIGH-ENERGY SOLID PROPELLANT AND ITS EFFECTS ON COMBUSTION

In order to improve the safety of high-energy solid propellants, a study is carried out for the effects of damage on the combustion of the NEPE (Nitrate Ester Plasticized Polyether) propellant. The study includes: (1) to introduce damage into the propellants by means of a large-scale drop-weight apparatus; (2) to observe microstructural variations of the propellant with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and then to characterize the damage with density measurements; (3) to investigate thermal decomposition; (4) to carry out closed-bomb tests. The NEPE propellant can be considered as a viscoelastic material. The matrices of damaged samples axe severely degraded, but the particles are not. The results of the thermal decomposition and closed-bomb tests show that the microstructural damage in the propellant affects its decomposition and burn rate.

Experimental study of Al agglomeration on solid propellant burning surface and condensed combustion products

Aluminum(Al) particles are commonly added to energetic materials including propellants,explosives and pyrotechnics to increase the overall energy density of the composite,but aluminum agglomeration on the combustion surface may lower the combustion efficiency of propellants,resulting in a loss in twophase flow.Therefore,it is necessary to understand the agglomeration mechanism of aluminum particles on the combustion surface.In this paper,a high-pressure sealed combustion chamber is constructed,and high-speed camera is used to capture the whole process of aluminum accumulation,aggregation and agglomeration on the combustion surface,and the secondary agglomeration process near the combustion surface.The microscopic morphology and chemical composition of the condensed combustion products(CCPs) are then studied by using scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive(SEM-EDS) method.Results show that there are three main types of condensed combustion products:small smoke oxide particles oxidized by aluminum vapor,usually less than 1 μm;typical agglomerates formed by the combustion of aluminum agglomerates;carbonized agglomerates that are widely distributed,usually formed by irregular movements of aluminum agglomerates.The particle size of condensed combustion products is measured by laser particle size meter.As the pressure increases from 0.5 MPa to 1.0 MPa in nitrogen,the mass average particle size of aluminum agglomerates decreases by 49.7%.As the ambient gas is changed from 0.5 MPa nitrogen to 0.5 MPa air,the mass average particle size of aluminum agglomerates decreases by 67.3%.Results show that as the ambient pressure increases,the higher oxygen content can improve combustion efficiency and reduce the average agglomeration size of aluminum particles.

Experimental Investigation on Combustion Performance of Solid Propellant Subjected to Erosion of Particles with Different Concentrations

A test device with rectangular channel is developed to study the combustion performance of solid propellant in high temperature particles erosion.The flowfields in this newdevice and a test device with circular channels are simulated numerically.The particle erosion experiments in these two devices are carried out under different particle concentrations.The results showthat the test device with rectangular channel can effectively improve the clarity and precision of combustion diagnosis image and can be used for research on combustion performance of solid propellant under lowconcentration particle erosion;the circular channel device has good particle convergent effect,provides high concentration particle erosion,and can be used for research on the combustion performance of solid propellant under high concentration particle erosion.The experiment data indicates that the propellant burning rate does not change obviously in lower particle concentration;the propellant with lower static burning rate increases remarkably under particle erosion,while the propellant with high static burning rate is not sensitive to the particle erosion.

Study on Influence of Functional Composition Distribution on Combustion Performance of a Modified Single Base Propellant

The modified single base propellant samples were prepared by impregnating blasting oil into single base grains and deactivating deterrent in water medium. The concentration distribution of functional compositions in this propellant was determined by using FTIR micro-spectroscopy. Its combustion performance was investigated by means of closed-bomb and interior ballistic tests. The results show that the concentration of NG distributes parabolically along the radius and the concentration of NA decreases from the surface to the centre exponentially. The deeper the NG impregnates, the slower the NA concentration decreases, the stronger the progressive combustion is and the better the interior ballistic performance is. When the depth corresponding to maximum NG concentration is about 1/2 of the web and the NA decreases slowly, the progressive combustion is the strongest and the interior ballistic performance is the best.

Combustion Properties of Metal Particles as Components of Modified Double-Base Propellants

Metal particles such as aluminum（ Al）,magnesium（ Mg）,boron（ B） and nickel（ Ni）,as well as Mg/Al alloy（ Mg/Al = 3/4） are currently the most widely used ingredients in modified doublebase propellants. In this contribution,the combustion properties of the metal species are studied by means of the high-speed photography technique and the non-contact wavelet-based measurement of flame temperature distribution. The combustion process of the Al,Mg and Mg/Al samples shows both gas phase reaction and surface oxidation,which yield volatile and nonvolatile products,corresponding to the oxide and suboxide respectively. However,the combustion of B and Ni shows only gas phase reaction,due to their high melting point as well as high enthalpy of vaporization. In addition to the experiments,a hypothetical combustion model has been proposed to clarify the combustion characteristics of metal species in modified double-base propellants.

Elaborative collection of condensed combustion products of solid propellants:Towards a real Solid Rocket Motor(SRM)operational environment

A novel constant-pressure and constant-quenching distance Condensed Combustion Products(CCPs)collection system was developed,coupled with a timing control system,to collect the CCPs formed in the course of burning of aluminum-based composite propellants.The effects of adiabatic graphite plating,collection zone,quenching distance,time series of collection,and propellant burning rate on the microscopic morphology,particle size distribution and unburned aluminum content of CCPs were investigated.It was verified that the graphite plating can provide a high-fidelity high-temperature environment for propellant combustion.The combustion efficiency is improved by 2.44% compared to the bare propellant case.The time series of collection has a significant effect on the combustion efficiency of aluminum,and the combustion efficiency of aluminum in the thermal state(1.2-2.4 s)is 2.75% higher than that in the cold state(0-1.2 s).Similarly,the characteristics of the CCPs in different collection zones are different.At the quenching distance of 5 mm,the combustion efficiency of aluminum in the core zone(85.39%)is much lower than that in the outer zone(92.07%),while the particle size of the CCPs in the core zone(172μm)is larger than that in the outer zone(41μm).This indicates that the core zone is more likely to produce large-sized and incompletely burned agglomerates during the propellant combustion process.Different burning rates also lead to a significant difference in particle size distribution and combustion efficiency.High burning rates result in higher combustion efficiency.A detailed sequence of the elaborative collection process of CCPs is proposed,mainly including the setting of ignition delay time,burning rate,working pressure,plating length and time series of collection.The findings of this study are expected to provide a reliable tool for the evaluation of the combustion efficiency of solid propellants.

Effects of ignition voltage and electrode structure on electric ignition and combustion characteristics of Ammonium Dinitramide(ADN)-based liquid propellants in electric ignition mode in inert gas environment

Hydrazine is toxic and carcinogenic, which greatly increases the difficulty of application and no longer meets the needs of green aerospace. As a green propellant, the Ammonium Dinitramide(ADN)-based liquid propellant has the advantages of higher specific impulse, being non-toxic,pollution-free, and easy storage. However, an ADN-based space engine in orbit has exposed the problems of high-temperature deactivation of catalysts and cold-start failure. An active ignition technology—electric ignition technology was explored in this paper to break through the technical bottleneck of catalyst deactivation and the inability to a cold start. An experimental system of a constant-volume combustor for the ADN-based liquid propellant based on the electric ignition method was established. The electric ignition and combustion characteristics of the ADN-based liquid propellant in a volume combustor with an electric ignition method were studied. The influencing mechanisms of the ignition voltage and the electrode structure on the electric ignition characteristics of the ADN-based liquid propellant were investigated. An elevation of the ignition voltage could facilitate the ignition process of the ADN-based liquid propellant, curtail electric energy input and heating effect, while exerting an adverse impact on the combustion process of the propellant.An increase in the ignition voltage enhanced the ignition process of the propellant while simultaneously suppressing its combustion process when utilizing mesh electrodes. Compared to the strip electrodes, the mesh electrodes increased the contact area between the electrodes and the propellant,increased the electric energy input power in the electric ignition process, and reduced the ignition delay time. The mesh electrodes could promote the combustion process of the propellant to a certain extent.

A New Simulation Method for 3D Propellant Grain Burn Analysis of Solid Rocket Motor

Describes a new computer program (Regress-3D) to simulate the regression of complex 3D grain cavity and calculate the burning surface area. It has a large region of applicability in solid rocket motor design and has made new improvements compared with other available codes. User can easily and rapidly build his initial grain shapes and then obtain geometric information of his design. Considering with the calclulting results, redesigning can be performed as desire until reaching at the satisfied result. Advantages and disadvantages of this method are also discussed.

Experimental Simulation for Fracture of Gun Propellant Charge Bed

The simulation of compression and fracture of charge bed in chamber is one of the key problems in the study of launch safety of gun propellant charge. A new kind of experimental device that can be used for simulation is given. Its structure and operational principle are introduced. Using a semi-closed vessel as a source of compression force, the device can simulate any kind of dynamic environment in a gun propellant charge. Using the low temperature inert gas （N2） as the compression medium, the device can not only ensure that the simulation is real, but also protect the fragmentized propellant from combustion after experiment. Using the device, many simulation experiments have been accomplished, and dynamic environment of propellant fracture is acquired. With the experiments, fragmentized propellant for the compression and fracture of charge bed is obtained. Results of experiments show that the new device can be used to study the principle of the compression and fracture of charge bed.

Discussion on Mechanism of Breech-Blow Caused by Propellant Charge

From the view point of launch safety caused by fracture of propellant charge,this paper points out that the safety criterion of pressure wave is inadequate to evaluate the launch safety of propellant charge based on the initial negative differential pressure and sensitivity tests.Generally,the maximum barrel pressure does not depend upon the intensity of pressure wave correspondingly.The pressure wave intensity can not describe the fracture degree of propellant charge in chamber and reflect the mechanical environment of propellant charge fracturing exactly and wholly.The evaluation criterion for launch safety of propellant charge should be built on the basis of depicting the fracture degree of propellant bed.

Study on the effect of RDX content on the properties of nitramine propellant

Four kinds of nitroamine propellants with different RDX contents(10%,20%,30%and 40%)were prepared to study the effect of RDX content on the mechanical properties and combustion properties of nitroamine propellant.The mechanical properties and combustion properties of nitroamine propellant at the normal temperature(20C)and low temperature(à40C)were test by using impact testing machine,drop hammer impact test machine and closed bomb vessel.The test results show that the impact strength of30%RDX-contained nitramine propellant is maximum,but 40%RDX-contained nitramine propellant has the minimum impact strength.And the crushing height of propellant with 20%RDX-contained was the highest,but the crushing height of propellant with 40%RDX-contained the lowest.With the increase in RDX content in nitramine propellant,the energy of nitramine propellant increases and its burning rate reduces,but 40%RDX-contained nitramine propellant did not meet this trend at the low temperature because of its poor mechanical properties.

The Application of Erosive Burning to Propellant Charge Interior Ballistics

Erosive burning is a common burning phenomenon of the gunpowder with inner holes.The actual combustion law of the gunpowder with inner holes can be changed by erosive burning.Pressure difference between the inner and the outer of hole caused by loading density variation of the propellant charge makes erosive burning occur at inner holes during in-bore burning.The effect of erosive burning on burning speed of the propellant is studied by using the effects of flow rate,heat transfer and erosion of the combustion gas in inner holes on burning rate.The mathematic model of erosive burning of the propellant is established.The effects of the factors such as loading density,inner hole size and grain length on erosive burning and interior ballistic performance are analyzed.The method to improve the bore pressure for small charge mass and small firing range by erosive burning is proposed.

Combustion of nitrate ester plasticized polyether propellants

Nitrate ester plasticized polyether(NEPE)is a kind of high-energy solid propellant that has both good mechanical properties and high specific impulse.However,its unique composition makes its combustion mechanism different from both double-base propellants and composite propellants.In order to study the combustion mechanism of NEPE propellants,we improved the free radical cracking model of previous research to make it capable of predicting the burning rate of NEPE propellants.To study the combustion characteristics and provide data support for the model,an experimental system was built and four kinds of NEPE propellants with different compositions and grain size distributions were tested.The results show that our modified model can reflect the combustion characteristics of NEPE propellants with an acceptable accuracy.The difference between the model and the experimental data is mainly caused by uncertain environmental factors and the ignorance of interactions between components.Both the experimental data and the results predicted by the model show that increasing the backpressure helps to increase the burning rate of NEPE propellants.Furthermore,the grain size of the oxidizer inside the NEPE propellant has a more severe impact on the burning rate but a lighter impact on the burning rate pressure exponent in comparison with the grain size of aluminum.For aluminum-free NEPE propellants,the reaction in the gas phase is dominant in the combustion process while adding aluminum into the propellant makes the solid phase dominant in the final stage.The combustion of fine aluminum particles near the burning surface generates heat feedback to the burning surface which evidently influences the surface temperature.However,the agglomeration of coarse aluminum particles has little effect on the burning surface temperature.