Kinetics of Decomposition of Nitramine Propellant by Differential Scanning Calorimetry

  • K. Krishnan Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram
  • G. Viswanathan Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram
  • A. J. Kurian Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram
  • K. N. Ninan Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram
DOI: https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.42.4371
Keywords: Exothermic decomposition reaction, Nitramine propellant, Differential thermal analysis, Differential scanning calorimetry, Thermogravimetric analysis, Arrhenius activation parameters, Doyle approximation, Arrhenius temperature integral p(x)

Abstract

The paper describes an experimental procedure for the determination of overall kinetic parameters for the exothermic decomposition reaction of nitramine propellant. The kinetic parameters can be obtained through the use of differential thermal analysis (DTA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) or thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) methods. The procedure is applicable to reactions whose behaviour can be described by the Arrhenius equation and the general rate law. In the present work, DSC technique has been used for the evaluation of Arrehenius activation parameters and specific rate constants for thermal decomposition of a typical nitramine propellant. The kinetic parameters were computed by Ozawa and Kissinger methods for comparison. The activation energy value obtained from the Ozawa method is refined by an iteration procedure using Doyle approximation for the Arrhenius temperature integral p(x).

Author Biographies

K. Krishnan, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram
Dr K Krishnan is the Head, Physical and Instrumental Analysis Section of the Analytical and Spectroscopy Division at VSSC, Thiruvananthapuram. He obtained both his MSc and PhD in Chemistry from Keral a University. Presentl y, he is engaged in R&D and material characterisa tion technol ogy: His research inte rest is mainly in the thermal analysis and solid-state react ion kinetics of polymers, propellants, composites and related mat erials . He has more than 40 publications to his credit.
G. Viswanathan, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram
Propellants and Special Chemicals Group, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre Thiruvananthapuram.
A. J. Kurian, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram
Mr AJ Kuri an ob tained his-MSc in Polymer Chemistry from Rani Durgavathi University, Jabalpur. Presently, he is working at VSSC, Thiruvananthapuram, on composite, CMDB, and smokeless nitramine propellants. He is a member of the High Energy Materials Society of India.
K. N. Ninan, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram
Dr KN Ninan is the G ro up Di rector of Prope llants and Specia l Chemicals G roup, VSSC ,Thiruvananthap uram . He o bta ined bo th his MSc an d PhD in Chemistry fro m Kera la University. He jo ined VSSC in I lJ6H and has been engage d in the development and characterisation of
propellants , polymers and special chemica s required for the space programme . His research interests include thermal analysis, solid-state reaction kinetics and polymer and propellant characte risation. He 'is the recipient of the NETZSCH- ITAS Award (19H7) conferred on him
for his out standing contributio ns in thermal analysis.
Published
2013-01-01
How to Cite
Krishnan, K., Viswanathan, G., Kurian, A., & Ninan, K. (2013). Kinetics of Decomposition of Nitramine Propellant by Differential Scanning Calorimetry. Defence Science Journal, 42(3), 135-139. https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.42.4371
Issue
Vol 42 No 3: High Energy Materials
Section
Special Issue Papers
Copyright (c) 2016 Defence Science Journal

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