Influence of long-term stay of elements of capillary intake devices in liquid propellant components on their parameters

Abstract

In this paper, we consider the results of a long-term study of the effect of prolonged stay (more than 30 years) of elements of capillary intake devices - mesh phase separators in the liquid propellant components (and under vapors) on the change in their working parameters (characteristics). In the process of research, the following types of work were carried out: extracting mesh phase separators from the propellant tanks of the missile stages to be detected after they were neutralized; analyzing the chemical composition of the substances located on the grids of mesh phase separators; determining the capillary holding capacity of the mesh, measuring the geometric dimensions of the mesh by the optical method; and performing metallographic studies of the mesh patterns. As a result, the authors determined the decrease in the capillary holding capacity of the screen of mesh phase separators for 31 years of their stay in the liquid propellant components and under their vapor. The analysis of the main factors was made that influenced the change in the design parameters of the capillary intake device: uniform corrosion damage and local changes in the microstructure of the structural material of the meshes, as well as a change in the value of the contact angle of the propellant with the mesh material.