A hands-on, integrated approach to solving combustion problems
in diverse areas

An understanding of turbulence, combustion, and multiphase
reacting flows is essential for engineers and scientists in many
industries, including power genera-tion, jet and rocket propulsion,
pollution control, fire prevention and safety, and material
processing. This book offers a highly practical discussion of
burning behavior and chemical processes occurring in diverse
materials, arming readers with the tools they need to solve the
most complex combustion problems facing the scientific community
today. The second of a two-volume work, Applications of Turbulent
and Multiphase Combustion expands on topics involving laminar
flames from Professor Kuo's bestselling book Principles of
Combustion, Second Edition, then builds upon the theory discussed
in the companion volume Fundamentals of Turbulent and Multiphase
Combustion to address in detail cutting-edge experimental
techniques and applications not covered anywhere else.

Special features of this book include:

* Coverage of advanced applications such as solid propellants,
burning behavior, and chemical boundary layer flows

* A multiphase systems approach discussing basic concepts before
moving to higher-level applications

* A large number of practical examples gleaned from the authors'
experience along with problems and a solutions manual

Engineers and researchers in chemical and mechanical engineering
and materials science will find Applications of Turbulent and
Multiphase Combustion an indispensable guide for upgrading their
skills and keeping up with this rapidly evolving area. It is also
an excellent resource for students and professionals in mechanical,
chemical, and aerospace engineering.

Kenneth K. Kuo is Distinguished Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Director of the High Pressure Combustion Laboratory (HPCL) in the Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering of the College of Engineering at The Pennsylvania State University.??Professor Kuo established the HPCL and is recognized as one of the leading researchers and experts in propulsion-related combustion.

Ragini Acharya is Senior Research Scientist at United Technologies Research Center. She received her PhD from The Pennsylvania State University in 2008. Dr. Acharya's research expertise includes development of multiphysics, multiscale, multiphase models, fire dynamics, numerical methods, and scientific computing. She has authored or coauthored multiple technical articles in these areas.

A hands-on, integrated approach to solving combustion problems in diverse areas

An understanding of turbulence, combustion, and multiphase reacting flows is essential for engineers and scientists in many industries, including power genera-tion, jet and rocket propulsion, pollution control, fire prevention and safety, and material processing. This book offers a highly practical discussion of burning behavior and chemical processes occurring in diverse materials, arming readers with the tools they need to solve the most complex combustion problems facing the scientific community today. The second of a two-volume work, Applications of Turbulent and Multiphase Combustion expands on topics involving laminar flames from Professor Kuo's bestselling book Principles of Combustion, Second Edition, then builds upon the theory discussed in the companion volume Fundamentals of Turbulent and Multiphase Combustion to address in detail cutting-edge experimental techniques and applications not covered anywhere else.

Special features of this book include:

• Coverage of advanced applications such as solid propellants, burning behavior, and chemical boundary layer flows

• A multiphase systems approach discussing basic concepts before moving to higher-level applications

• A large number of practical examples gleaned from the authors' experience along with problems and a solutions manual

Engineers and researchers in chemical and mechanical engineering and materials science will find Applications of Turbulent and Multiphase Combustion an indispensable guide for upgrading their skills and keeping up with this rapidly evolving area. It is also an excellent resource for students and professionals in mechanical, chemical, and aerospace engineering.

Preface xvii

1 Solid Propellants and Their Combustion Characteristics 1

1.1 Background of Solid Propellant Combustion 4

1.1.1 Definition of Solid Propellants 4

1.1.2 Desirable Characteristics of Solid Propellants 4

1.1.3 Calculation of Oxygen Balance 5

1.1.4 Homogeneous Propellants 6

1.1.4.1 Decomposition Characteristics of NC 6

1.1.5 Heterogeneous Propellants (or Composite Propellants) 7

1.1.6 Major Types of Ingredients in Solid Propellants 8

1.1.6.1 Description of Oxidizer Ingredients 10

1.1.6.2 Description of Fuel Binders 12

1.1.6.3 Curing and Cross-Linking Agents 14

1.1.6.4 Aging 15

1.1.7 Applications of Solid Propellants 16

1.1.7.1 Hazard Classifications of Solid Propellants 16

1.1.8 Material Characterization of Propellants 16

1.1.8.1 Propellant Density Calculation 16

1.1.8.2 Propellant Mass Fraction 17

1.1.8.3 Viscoelastic Behavior of Solid Propellants 17

1.1.9 Thermal Profile in a Burning Solid Propellant 18

1.1.9.1 Surface and Subsurface Temperature Measurements of Solid Propellants 18

1.1.9.2 Interfacial Energy Flux Balance at the Solid Propellant Surface 20

1.1.9.3 Energy Equation for the Gas Phase 21

1.1.9.4 Burning Rate of Solid Propellants 23

1.1.9.5 Temperature Sensitivity of Burning Rate 25

1.1.9.6 Measurement of Propellant Burning Rate by Using a Strand Burner 26

1.1.9.7 Measurement of Propellant Burning Rate by Using a Small-Scale Motor 37

1.1.9.8 Burning Rate Temperature Sensitivity of Neat Ingredients 41

1.2 Solid-Propellant Rocket and Gun Performance Parameters 43

1.2.1 Performance Parameters of a Solid Rocket Motor 44

1.2.1.1 Thrust of a Solid Rocket Motor 44

1.2.1.2 Specific Impulse of a Solid Rocket Motor 48

1.2.1.3 Density-Specific Impulse 56

1.2.1.4 Effective Vacuum Exhaust Velocity 58

1.2.1.5 Characteristic Velocity C 58

1.2.1.6 Pressure Sensitivity of Burning Rate 59

1.2.1.7 Thrust Coefficient Efficiency 60

1.2.1.8 Effect of Pressure Exponent on Stable/Unstable Burning in Solid Rocket Motor 60

1.2.2 Performance Parameters of Solid-Propellant Gun Systems 61

1.2.2.1 Energy Balance Equation 64

1.2.2.2 Efficiencies of Gun Propulsion Systems 67

1.2.2.3 Heat of Explosion (Hex o) 69

1.2.2.4 Relative Quickness, Relative Force, and Deviations in Muzzle Velocity 70

1.2.2.5 Dynamic Vivacity 71

2 Thermal Decomposition and Combustion of Nitramines 72

2.1 Thermophysical Properties of Selected Nitramines 76

2.2 Polymorphic Forms of Nitramines 78

2.2.1 Polymorphic Forms of HMX 80

2.2.2 Polymorphic Forms of RDX 82

2.3 Thermal Decomposition of RDX 88

2.3.1 Explanation of Opposite Trends on - and -RDX Decomposition with Increasing Pressure 90

2.3.2 Thermal Decomposition Mechanisms of RDX 92

2.3.2.1 Homolytic NN Bond Cleavage 92

2.3.2.2 Concerted Ring Opening Mechanism of Rdx 94

2.3.2.3 Successive HONO Elimination Mechanism of RDX 96

2.3.2.4 Analysis of Three Decomposition Mechanisms 104

2.3.3 Formation of Foam Layer Near RDX Burning Surface 106

2.4 Gas-Phase Reactions of RDX 109

2.4.1 Development of Gas-Phase React…