University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Composite propellant combustion with low aluminum agglomeration

Mullen, Jessica C.

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Mullen_Jessica.pdf

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/16047

Description

Title
Composite propellant combustion with low aluminum agglomeration
Author(s)
Mullen, Jessica C.
Issue Date
2010-05-19T18:33:19Z
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Brewster, M. Quinn
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Brewster, M. Quinn
Committee Member(s)
  • Jacobi, Anthony M.
  • Kyritsis, Dimitrios C.
  • Austin, Joanna M.
Department of Study
Mechanical Sci & Engineering
Discipline
Mechanical Engineering
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Date of Ingest
2010-05-19T18:33:19Z
Keyword(s)
  • Aluminum
  • Low Agglomeration
  • Hydroxyl-terminated Polybutadiene (HTPB)
  • Wide-distribution AP
  • Fine-AP particles (FAP)
  • ammonium perchlorate/hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (AP/HTPB) flames
  • Laminate
  • Ammonium Perchlorate (AP)
Abstract
Aluminum behavior—accumulation, agglomeration and ignition—is studied in a unique, wide-distribution, ammonium perchlorate/hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (AP/HTPB) propellant formulation that results in low Al agglomeration, even at low pressures (1-30 atm). Variations in formulation—such as fine-AP/binder ratio, Al particle size, Al loading, coarse-AP size—are also examined. A fuel-rich, oxygenated binder matrix highly loaded with fine (2-µm) AP (FAP) at 75/25:FAP/binder (by mass) is found to have premixed flame conditions that produce minimal agglomeration (without ignition) of 15-µm Al. Coarse AP (CAP) is added to the system in the form of either particles (200 or 400 µm) or pressed-AP laminates (simulated CAP). In the 2-D laminate system the CAP/oxyfuel-matrix flame structure is seen to be similar to that previously described for non-aluminized laminates with split (diffusion) and merged (partially-premixed) flame regimes, depending on pressure and fuel-matrix thickness. Both laminate and particulate systems show that with CAP present, Al can agglomerate more extensively on CAP via lateral surface migration from fuel matrix to the CAP region. The particulate CAP system also shows that Al can accumulate/agglomerate via settling on CAP from above (in the direction of burning). Both systems, but more clearly the 2-D laminates, show that with CAP present, Al is ignited by the outer CAP/fuel-matrix canopy flames. Thus, a propellant formulation is proposed for reducing overall Al agglomeration through intrinsically reduced agglomeration in the fuel-matrix and a reduced number of CAP-particle agglomerates via higher FAP/CAP ratio.
Graduation Semester
2010-5
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/16047
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2010 Jessica C Mullen

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