Performance Evaluation and Experimental Studies on Metallised Gel Propellants

  • T. L. Varghese Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram
  • N. Prabhakaran Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram
  • K. P. Thanki Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram
  • S. Subramanian Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram
  • S. S. Rao Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram
  • K. N. Ninan Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram
  • V. N. Krishnamurthy Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram
Keywords: Thixotropic behaviour, Burst pressure tests, Bulk density, Pseudoplastic behaviour, Gel propellants, Liquid propellants

Abstract

Metallised gel propellants offer higher specific impulse and volumetric loading, reduced vaporisation loss, spillage and slosh problems and easy storage in comparison to the conventional liquid propellants. Theoretical performance analysis of gel propellant containing Al in unsymmetrical dimethyl hydrazine-dinitrogen tetroxide (UDMH-N/sub 2/O/sub 4} system shows peak Isp (vacuum condition) of 316.7 s and 318.3 s at oxidiser/fuel (O/f) ratios of 1.5 and 1.0, respectively for 30 per cent and 40 per cent UDMH-Al gel propellants, under standard conditions. The effect of other parameters like area ratio and chamber pressure on performance has been brought out in view of mission oriented applications. Aluminium has been found to be a better choice over magnesium in metallised gel propellants. Experimental studies on UDMH gellation using propellant grade (15 micrometer)and pyrotechnic grade (1.5 micrometer)Al in 500g batch level show that gellant(methyl cellulose) concentration could be reduced by 50 percent using pyrotechnic grade Al. The pseudoplastic-thixotropic behaviour, flow rate through die holes, burst pressure tests and bulk density are studied. UDMH -25 to 30 per cent Al gels with both grades of Al are found to be stable, pseudoplastic (shear thinning) and thixotropic (time-dependent shear thinning), but their flow pattern through die holes differ in nature.

Author Biographies

T. L. Varghese, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram
Dr TL Varghese is heading Formulation and Experimentation Section of Vikram Sarabhai SpaceCentre (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram. He obtained his PhD in Chemistry from Kerala University. Hejoined VSSC in 1971 and has been engaged in the research and development of solid propellant forlaunch vehicles and gel propellants. He has 37 papers to his credit. He is a member of the HighEnergy Materials Society of India and the Society of India and the Society for Polymer Science,(India
N. Prabhakaran, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram
Mr N Prabhakaran obtained his MSc (Chemistry) from University of Poona, Pune. He joinedVSSC in 1969. Since then, he has been engaged in the development of composite propellant. He has18 papers to his credit. He is a member of the High Energy Materials Society of India, Society forPolymer Science (India) and Indian Society for Non-Distructive Testing.
K. P. Thanki, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram
Ms KP Thanki obtained her BSc (Mathematics) from Kerala University. She joined at the VSSC in1970. Since then, she has been engaged in the performance analysis of solid propellants, gelpropellants and statistical analysis of data on rheological, mechanical and ballistic properties ofvarious propellant formulations. She has many papers to her credit. She is a member of the HighEnergy Materials Society of India.
S. Subramanian, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram
Mr S Subramanian obtained his AMIE from Institute of Engineers in 1984 and MTech inMechanical Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, in 1986. He joined at theVSSC in 1989 and has been engaged in software development for the design of thermal energyconversion devices and performance prediction of solid and liquid motors of launch uehicle.Presently, he is engaged in the modelling of various subsystems like combustion chamber, nozzle andliquid stage of rocket. He is a member of the Aeronautical Society of India.
S. S. Rao, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram
Dr SS Rao obtained his BTech (Chem Engg.) from Osmania University, Hyderabad, in 1965, MEfrom Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, in 1967 and PhD from University of Birmingham, UK,in 1978. He joined at the VSSC in 1972 and has been engaged in R & D of propellants, polymers andchemicals. Presently, he is heading Propellant Engineering Division at VSSC. He is the recipient ofCommonwealth Scholarship Award (1975) and NRDC Award (1986). He is Founder-Secretary ofThiruvananthapuram Regional Centre of Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers andThiruvananthapuram Regional Chapter of High Energy Materials Society of India and is a memberof Society of Polymer Science (India). He has published several papers and guided research studentsin the areas of transfer processes, propellant, polymer and rubber technology and safety. Recently, hehas received Distinguished Leadership Award from the American Biographical Institute (ABI),USA.
K. N. Ninan, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram
Dr KN Ninan is Group Director of Propellant & Special Chemicals Group of VSSC. He did his PhD(Chemistry) from the University of Kerala. He joined at the VSSC in 1968 and has made significantcontributions in the development of propellants, polymers and chemicals. He has setup a modernintegrated analytical facility at VSSC. Besides being a member of several scientific and professionalbodies, he is the Chairman, Education Committee, India Region of International Confederation ofThermal Analysis and the Vice-President of Society for Polymer Science (India),Thiruvananthapuram Chapter. He has published more than 200 research papers innationaUintemationa1 journals. He was given the Netzch-ITAS Award (1987) for his outstandingcontributions in the field of thermal analysis.
V. N. Krishnamurthy, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram
Dr VN Krishnamurthy obtained his PhD from Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. He joined attheVSSC in 1968 and was responsible for the development and productionisation of a variety ofpropellants, polymers and chemicals. He retired as Dy Director in 1997. He has guided PhD studentsand published a number of papers in nationaYintemational journals. He is the recipient of N R D C dFIE Awards. He had been President, Indian Thermal Analysis Society, Founder-Chairman of theThimvananthapuram Chapter of High Energy Materials Society of India. Society for PolymerScience (India), Materials Research Society of India and also a member of a few other professionalsocieties. Presently, he is Honorary Director, ~RDO/ISRO-PUn~iv~e rsity Interactive Cell at Pune.

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Published
2013-02-01
How to Cite
Varghese, T., Prabhakaran, N., Thanki, K., Subramanian, S., Rao, S., Ninan, K., & Krishnamurthy, V. (2013). Performance Evaluation and Experimental Studies on Metallised Gel Propellants. Defence Science Journal, 49(1), 71-78. https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.49.3789
Section
Chemical Science & Technology