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Solid Rocket Propellant Regression Analysis

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
18 views1 page

Solid Rocket Propellant Regression Analysis

Uploaded by

clifford henry
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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RPF Tutorial 4

Solid Rocket Propellants

1. During testing of a new propellant in a strand burner, the regression rate at a chamber
pressure of 7 and 17 MPa are found to be 25 and 45 mm/s, respectively. If the regression
rate happens to follow Sait-Robert’s law, determine the chamber pressure when it regresses
at 35 mm/s.

2. The burning rate of a particular propellant is given by ṙ = aPcn in which the regression
rate ṙ is measured in mm/s, Pc is the chamber pressure in MPa, a is constant, and
n = 0.68. When the propellant unburnt temperature (T0 ) os 10°C and chamber pressure
is 4.5 MPa, the regression rate happens to be 25 mm/s. If the temperature sensitivity
of the burning rate happens to be 0.006 per °C, determine the new burning rate at the
unburnt temperature (T ) of 50°C.

3. In a rocket engine, a solid propellant with n = 0.68 as in the question above is used, which
has a thrust coefficient CF of 0.95, and a characteristic velocity C∗ of 1859 m/s. When
the unburnt propellant temperature is 10°C and the chamber pressure is 4.5 MPa, the
regression rate happens to be 25 mm/s. If the temperature sensitivity of the burning rate
happens to be 0.006/°C, and the burning surface area to throat area AR is 65, determine
the chamber pressure and thrust at the unburnt temperature of 50°C assuming that CF
and C ∗ remain almost constant? Consider the throat area as 450×10−6 m2 and propellant
density as 1350 kg/m3 .

4. A designer has proposed to to use propellant grain with a rectangular cross-section


(0.5×0.3) with an outer diameter of 1.1 m and length of 1.5 [Link] the density of the propel-
lant is 1450 kg/m3 , determine the sliver mass of the propellant grain and the percentage
of the sliver mass compared to the initial propellant mass at the end of its operation. By
restricting the fraction of sliver mass to 5%, can it be used for practical application?

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The burning rate changes with unburnt temperature according to the temperature sensitivity coefficient, given as 0.006 per °C. The burning rate at 4.5 MPa and 10°C is 25 mm/s. The change in temperature is 50°C - 10°C = 40°C. Thus, the increase in the burning rate is \( 0.006 \times 40 = 0.24 \). Therefore, the new burning rate at 50°C is \( 25 + 6 = 31.24 \) mm/s based on the sensitivity calculation.

The sliver mass is the remaining unburnt propellant in a grain after full operation. For a propellant with a grain density of 1450 kg/m³, and dimensions provided (outer diameter of 1.1 m, length 1.5 m), calculate initial mass and sliver mass. If sliver mass exceeds 5% of total mass, it may be impractical due to inefficiencies. Calculating based on given dimensions evaluates if 5% is a practical threshold, influencing design choices.

To determine the chamber pressure for a regression rate of 35 mm/s using Sait-Robert’s law, we first need the known regression rates and chamber pressures: 25 mm/s at 7 MPa and 45 mm/s at 17 MPa. Sait-Robert’s law indicates that the regression rate is proportional to a power of the chamber pressure, typically expressed as \( \dot{r} = aP^n \). By using these two points, we can solve for the constants \( a \) and \( n \), and then use the equation to solve for the chamber pressure when \( \dot{r} = 35 \) mm/s.

Estimation assumes a power-law relationship between pressure and regression rate, with constants derived from baseline data points. Any changes in propellant composition, unaccounted physical phenomena like erosion, or significant temperature impacts unaccounted for could lead to deviations, inaccuracies. Alteration in these assumptions would necessitate updated parameters or models for robust predictions.

Grain geometry affects how completely a propellant combusts. A rectangular cross-section might lead to increased sliver mass if not optimally designed, as uneven burning can occur leaving significant residuals. Calculations based on provided dimensions illustrate this, showcasing the geometry’s impact on efficiency by comparing residual sliver to total mass, ideally aiming for a low percentage such as under 5%.

Thrust is affected by regression rates and chamber pressure through mass flow rate \( \dot{m} \) that is dependent on \( \dot{r} \). Using \( F = \dot{m} C_F C^* \), an increase in regression rate increases \( \dot{m} \), subsequently increasing thrust. Similarly, a higher chamber pressure often results in higher \( \dot{r} \) and \( \dot{m} \), thus influencing thrust.

Given the regression rate at 4.5 MPa and 10°C is 25 mm/s, and temperature sensitivity of 0.006/°C, at 50°C, the regression rate becomes 31.24 mm/s. With AR = 65, throat area 450×10−6 m², and propellant density 1350 kg/m³, use the relationship \( \dot{m} = \rho \cdot \dot{r} \cdot A \) and thrust \( F = \dot{m} \cdot C_F \cdot C^* \) to evaluate thrust and chamber pressure, keeping \( C_F \) and \( C^* \) constant at 0.95 and 1859 m/s respectively. Calculating \( \dot{m} \), use it to find new chamber properties.

The burning rate is determined by chamber pressure, temperature, and material properties. It is mathematically represented as \( \dot{r} = aP^n \), where \( a \) is a constant relating to material properties, \( n \) is the pressure exponent indicating burning sensitivity to pressure, and \( P \) is chamber pressure. Temperature influences this via a sensitivity factor, modifying \( \dot{r} \) when temperature changes.

Temperature sensitivity indicates how the burning rate responds to temperature changes. It is quantified as a coefficient that adjusts the regression rate per degree change in temperature, as seen in the provided 0.006 per °C. It allows prediction of performance differences at varying pre-combustion temperatures, affecting engine efficiency and performance stability.

Characteristic velocity \( C^* \), reflecting propellant efficiency, and thrust coefficient \( C_F \), related to nozzle design, provide insights on maximizing thrust while minimizing fuel consumption. Optimizing these ensures efficient energy conversion and loss reduction. Design processes use these as baseline performance metrics to align engine and mission requirements, guiding adjustments for target performance.

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