Combustion Mechanism of Ammonium-Nitrate-Based Propellants

Abstract

This paper discusses results obtained by studying a row of progressively complicated ammonium-nitrate-based systems: ammonium nitrate/catalyst, ammonium nitrate/catalyst/hydroxy terminated polybutadiene, ammonium nitrate/catalyst/hydroxy terminated polybutadiene/ammonium perchlorate, and ammonium nitrate/catalyst/hydroxy terminated polybutadiene/ammonium perchlorate/Al. The successive addition of ammonium perchlorate and Al to the binary mixture of a catalyzed ammonium nitrate/binder yields a regular increase in the burning rate, accompanied by a small change in the pressure exponent. On the basis of flame-structure investigation by fine tungsten-rhenium thermocouples, it has been determined that the surface temperature of catalyzed ammonium nitrate as well as ammonium-nitrate-based propellants is controlled by the dissociation reaction of the salt occurring at the surface. An analysis of the results obtained suggests a combustion mechanism of ammonium-nitrate-based propellants, which is based on the leading role of heat release in the condensed phase

Combustion behavior and physico-chemical properties of dihydroxylammonium 5,5′-bistetrazole-1,1′-diolate (TKX-50)

“…One may assume that the break on the burning rate -pressure dependence r b (p) at 5 MPa is connected with increasing role of the gas phase, when the heat feedback from the gas becomes superior over the heat required for evaporation. Combustion of the substance under these conditions is described by the Merzhanov-Dubovitsky model [34] which allows for increasing the burning rate at the expense of heat feedback contribution [35][36][37].…”

Nitrogen‐Based Fuels: A Power‐to‐Fuel‐to‐Power Analysis

“…[47] N 2ðgÞ þ3H 2 Ammonia production using renewable intermittent energy is technically feasible with current technologies. [48,49] Moreover,v arious ammonia-derived nitrogen-based fuels have been previously suggested, such as:A Na nd AN-based compositions, [50][51][52][53][54][55][56] aqueous hydroxylammonium nitrate, [57,58] ammonium dinitramide, [59][60][61][62] and aqueous AN with ammonium hydroxide or urea. [14] While the methanol economy addresses both the energy and the broad chemical sectors, [63,64] …”

Phase Stability of Ammonium Nitrate with Organic Potassium Salts

“…Recently, there has been new interest in AN in the propellant field because AN-based propellants produce eco-friendly plumes, are smokeless, are of low cost and have low sensitivity [1][2][3]. But the drawbacks in using AN in ANFO explosives, gas generators and propellants are its polymorphic phase transitions and hygroscopicity.…”