Propulsive Performance of Mechanically Activated Aluminum–Water Gelled Composite Propellant
15 Jan 2020-Journal of Propulsion and Power (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics)-Vol. 36, Iss: 2, pp 294-301
TL;DR: In this article, the authors evaluated the propulsive performance of aluminum and water gelled composite propellant using polyacrylamide as a gelling agent for the first time.
Abstract: The present study deals with the evaluation of the propulsive performance of aluminum (Al)–water gelled composite propellant. Here, Al and water have been gelled using polyacrylamide as a gelling a...
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TL;DR: In this article , an organic/inorganic composite hydrogel was prepared by combining inorganic gellants hectorite and fumed silica with organic gellant agarose, respectively.
Abstract: Water can be used as oxidant in conjunction with metal particles to form metal–water propellant to increase the energy of propellant. For this application, water needs to be stored in form of solid and capable of becoming liquid when use. Stable and thixotropic hydrogel has good potential as water-retaining material and oxidant of metal-based propellant. In this study, we prepared organic/inorganic composite hydrogels by combining inorganic gellants hectorite and fumed silica with organic gellant agarose, respectively. The total content of the gellants can be reduced to less than 2% by adding agarose. The influence of agarose on water content, phase transition temperature, centrifugal stability and other basic physical properties of composite hydrogels were discussed. The results show that the composite hydrogels have better thixotropy and stability than pure inorganic hydrogels, and the gel–sol transformation can be realized by applying shear force or heating to the phase transition temperature. The composite hydrogels have good shear thinning ability and improved mechanical stability. Fumed silica/agarose hydrogels have better physical stability, while the thixotropy and shear thinning ability of hectorite/agarose hydrogels are better.
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TL;DR: In this paper, aluminum-water combustion was employed to synthesize alumina, along with possible co-generation of power, and the possible power generation for this method was estimated to be 6.37 MW per kg of aluminum.
TL;DR: Yamamoto et al. as discussed by the authors investigated the effect of electrical stimulation on the combustion behavior of a self-quenched solid propellant in a Rocker motor and found that the effect was negligible.
Abstract: No AccessTechnical NotesMicrothrusters’ Combustion Control Using Jellied Propellant Flowing Through an Orifice PlateYohji Yamamoto and Takeshi TachibanaYohji YamamotoNational Institute of Technology, Kitakyushu College, Kitakyushu 802-0985, Japan*Professor, Department of Creative Engineering; . Member AIAA.Search for more papers by this author and Takeshi TachibanaNational Institute of Technology, Kitakyushu College, Kitakyushu 802-0985, Japan†Specially Appointed Professor; also Professor Emeritus, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Kitakyushu 804-8550, Japan; . Senior Member AIAA.Search for more papers by this authorPublished Online:1 Feb 2023https://doi.org/10.2514/1.B38886SectionsRead Now ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload citationTrack citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmail About References [1] Qin Z., Wu J., Shen R. Q., Ye Y. H. and Wu L. 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Google Scholar Previous article FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails What's Popular Volume 39, Number 2March 2023 CrossmarkInformationCopyright © 2023 by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc. All rights reserved. All requests for copying and permission to reprint should be submitted to CCC at www.copyright.com; employ the eISSN 1533-3876 to initiate your request. See also AIAA Rights and Permissions www.aiaa.org/randp. KeywordsJellied PropellantCombustion ControlMicrothrusterOrifice PlateQuenchingAcknowledgmentThis work was supported by the Foundation for the Promotion of the Industrial Explosives Technology (Japan).PDF Received25 April 2022Accepted15 January 2023Published online1 February 2023
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TL;DR: In this article, a model for estimating the fraction of aluminum powder that will form agglomerates at the surface of deflagrating composite propellants is presented for the purpose of estimating the amount of aluminum that melts within effective binder pocket volumes framed by oxidizer particles, and the effective pocket depends upon the ability of ammonium perchlorate modals to encapsulate the aluminum and provide a local temperature sufficient to ignite the aluminum.
Abstract: This paper presents a model for the purpose of estimating the fraction of aluminum powder that will form agglomerates at the surface of deflagrating composite propellants. The basic idea is that the fraction agglomerated depends upon the amount of aluminum that melts within effective binder pocket volumes framed by oxidizer particles. The effective pocket depends upon the ability of ammonium perchlorate modals to encapsulate the aluminum and provide a local temperature sufficient to ignite the aluminum. Model results are discussed in the light of data showing effects of propellant formulation variables and pressure.
134 citations
TL;DR: In this article, morphological, thermal, and chemical characterization of fuel-rich aluminum-polytetrafluoroethylene (70-30-wt-%) reactive particles formed by high and low energy milling was reported.
Abstract: Micrometer-sized aluminum is widely used in energetics; however, performance of propellants, explosives, and pyrotechnics could be significantly improved if its ignition barriers could be disrupted. We report morphological, thermal, and chemical characterization of fuel rich aluminum-polytetrafluoroethylene (70–30 wt-%) reactive particles formed by high and low energy milling. Average particle sizes range from 15–78 μm; however, specific surface areas range from approx. 2–7 m2 g−1 due to milling induced voids and cleaved surfaces. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy reveal uniform distribution of PTFE, providing nanoscale mixing within particles. The combustion enthalpy was found to be 20.2 kJ g−1, though a slight decrease (0.8 kJ g−1) results from extended high energy milling due to α-AlF3 formation. For high energy mechanically activated particles, differential scanning calorimetry in argon shows a strong, exothermic pre-ignition reaction that onsets near 440 °C and a second, more dominant exotherm that onsets around 510 °C. Scans in O2-Ar indicate that, unlike physical mixtures, more complete reaction occurs at higher heating rates and the reaction onset is drastically reduced (approx. 440 °C). Simple flame tests reveal that these altered Al-polytetrafluoroethylene particles light readily unlike micrometer-sized aluminum. Safety testing also shows these particles have high electrostatic discharge (89.9–108 mJ), impact (>213 cm), and friction (>360 N) ignition thresholds. These particles may be useful for reactive liners, thermobaric explosives, and pyrolants. In particular, the altered reactivity, large particle size and relatively low specific surface area of these fuel rich particles make them an interesting replacement for aluminum in solid propellants.
129 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the combination of aluminum and water was theoretically analyzed to assess its performance potential for space propulsion, in particular for microrocket applications and whenever a compact package is desirable.
Abstract: The combination of aluminum and water was theoretically analyzed to assess its performance potential for space propulsion, in particular for microrocket applications and whenever a compact package is desirable. Heat of reaction, impulse density, and handling safety are features making this combination interesting for chemical thrusters, especially because thrust is higher than typical of satellite electric thrusters. Ideal specific impulse I s p , thrust coefficient, adiabatic flame temperature, and combustion products were calculated for chamber pressures 1-10 atm, nozzle area ratios 25-100, and mixture ratios O/F 0.4-8.0. I s p reaches up to 3500 m/s. Also, the effect of hydrogen peroxide addition to aluminum and water on performance was explored. This combination improves performance slightly at the expense of simplicity, making it less attractive for microrocket engines. Ignition delay times were conservatively estimated assuming that aluminum was coated with its oxide and ignition occurred after the melting of the aluminum oxide. For this purpose heating and kinetics times were evaluated, the first by a one-dimensional physical model, the second by a reduced scheme. Results indicate that the heating time of a 0.1-μm-diameter aluminum particle may be of order 0.4 μs, whereas overall kinetics takes 10 μs: thus, the Al/water combination looks practical in principle for microrocket chambers characterized by short residence times.
124 citations
11 Jul 2004
TL;DR: In this paper, a linear combustor with magnesium-water and aluminum-water was tested under conditions of pressure and oxidizer-fuel ratios and with a metal powder feed system that could be employed in actual rocket engines.
Abstract: The efficacy of using aluminum-water and magnesium-water as propellants for underwater thruster applications has been investigated by the authors. The theoretical specific impulse for both reactant systems is high, and the products of reaction (alumina, magnesia, and hydrogen) are environmentally benign. The attractiveness of these systems as “green” propellants has been commented on previously, however, no practical experimentation with these systems has been made. The present work describes the testing of a linear combustor with magnesium-water and aluminum-water under conditions of pressure and oxidizer-fuel ratios and with a metal powder feed system that could be employed in actual rocket engines. Measurements of off-design specific impulse are compared with theoretical predictions that take into account two-phase losses. Measurements of heat fluxes available to vaporize regeneratively the liquid water oxidizer are presented as well. Perhaps of most importance, observations of the degree of product oxide accumulation in the combustor are presented. These measurements and observations are used to determine the effectiveness of these two metal fuel systems as practical green propellants.
106 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors review the current state of knowledge of both low-temperature and high-tremeperature metal-water reactions and propose several applications of high temperature metal water combustion that allow the full chemical energy within the metal fuel to be harnessed, including high speed air-breathing engines and high power, compact, low emissions power generation systems.
100 citations