Effect of Experiment Environment on Calorimetric Value of Composite Solid Propellants

Lalita S. Jawale; Chandrani Dey; Dr. Mehilal; Manoj Gupta; B. Bhattacharya

doi:10.14429/dsj.63.2896

Lalita S. Jawale High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune
Chandrani Dey High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune
Dr. Mehilal High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune
Manoj Gupta High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune
B. Bhattacharya High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.63.2896

Keywords: Calorific value, calorimetric value, composite propellant, bomb calorimeter, burning rate, cordite

Abstract

The calorimetric value (cal-val) of solid rocket propellants and explosives is determined in the presenceof inert atmosphere using industrial nitrogen gas. However, due to presence of trace amount of oxygen, the cal-val is not always correct. To avoid such inaccuracy in cal-val, a systematic study has been carried out by takingdifferent types of solid propellant samples having burning rate in the range of 5 mm/s − 30 mm/s at different pressures.The data obtained were acquired using industrial nitrogen, ultra high pure nitrogen (UHP-N2), ultra high pureargon (UHP-Ar), air and ultra high pure oxygen (UHP-O2). The data reveal that cal-val is highest in the case ofUHP-O2 due to complete combustion while in the case of air and industrial nitrogen it is found to be substantiallyless. Moreover, the cal-val in the presence of UHP-N2 and UHP-Ar meets the standard value with reproducibility.The results, further, confirm that for authentic cal-val, the most suitable environment is UHP-N2/UHP-Ar.

Defence Science Journal, 2013, 63(5), pp.467-472, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.63.2896

Author Biographies

Lalita S. Jawale, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune

Mrs Lalita S. Jawale received her M. Sc. in Organic Chemistry from University of Pune in 1995. She is actively involved in determination of calorific and calorimetric values of propellants and explosives samples as well as burning rate of composite propellants. She has published two research papers in international journal.

Chandrani Dey, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune

Mrs Chandrani Dey obtained her M. Sc. in Chemistry from I.I.T. Kanpur in 2006. She joined High Energy Materials research Laboratory in the year of 2009 as Scientist ‘B’. Her area of specialization is analysis of raw materials of composite propellant ingrediens and finished products.

Dr. Mehilal, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune

Dr Mehilal received his PhD in Chemistry from Allahabad University in 1985. Presently working as a Joint Director at HEMRL, Pune. He made significant contributions in the field of plastic- bonded explosives. Presently he is working in the field of solid rocket propellants. He has published more than 100 research papers in national/international journals and filed 8 patents.

Manoj Gupta, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune

Dr Manoj Gupta obtained his M. Sc. in Chemistry from Garhwal University in 1982. He obtained his PhD (Chemistry) from university of Pune in 2001. Presently he is working as Associate Director at High Energy Materials Research Laboratory. His area of specialization is development of composite propellant for different tactical/strategical missiles. He has received many awards such as, DRDO Scientist of the Year Award in 2010. He is the fellow of many societies and has published 9 papers and 14 patents to his credit.

B. Bhattacharya, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune

Mr B. Bhattacharya obtained his M. Tech.(Chemical Engg.) from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. Presently working as an Outstanding Scientist and Director of HEMRL, Pune. His area of research includes: Processing of composite propellants.

Effect of Experiment Environment on Calorimetric Value of Composite Solid Propellants

Abstract

Author Biographies

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