Structure and chemical kinetics of flames supported by solid propellant combustion

Abstract

The structure and chemical kinetics of gaseous flames are important aspects of the combustion of solid propellants. Advanced diagnostics have led to specific knowledge of solid propellant decomposition products, and advanced computer programs have allowed detailed chemical kinetic modeling of these products reacting with each other. There has therefore been considerable effort aimed at measuring and modeling the structure of premixed gas flames of fuels and oxidizers representative of the chemistry occurring in actual solid propellants. Most of the recent modeling work for representative gaseous flames can be traced to a mechanism first developed to model air pollution. Comprehensive mechanisms have also been developed to model the entire gas-phase chemistry process above burning propellant surfaces. These comprehensive mechanisms also are largely traceable to the air pollution modeling mechanism. Russian researchers have also made significant advances in the comprehensive modeling of solid propellant flame structures. Overall, the current state of knowledge of the gas-phase structure of solid propellants is incomplete, but encouraging agreement exists between modeling and experimental data. Recommendations are made for additional flame and reaction studies and for a standard mechanism to use in all gaseous flame modeling.