Investigation of the Manufacturing Variables of Cast Double-base Propellant

Abstract

The casting of double-base propellant involves the filling with liquid of a mould packed with solid particles. Simultaneous mass transfer between the phases, known as gelation, retards the flow, hindering the prediction of casting time. A mathematical model to predict casting times is developed via an analytical equation previously used to describe water percolation in soils. The complicating effect of gelation is dealt with by the inclusion of an empirically verified submodel, which is based on the valuable concept of resistance/conductance variation. The effect of temperature on liquid viscosity and gelation is also included. A photomicrographic test to determine the value of a dummy system as an experimental analogue of the hazardous live system demonstrated that this was inadequate and work to verify the mathematical model was then concentrated on the live system. The test is also useful in characterising the behaviour of various powder liquid systems on a microscale. Live casting experiments provided evidence in support of the proposed mathematical model and the empirical constants for a typical system are reported. In these experiments, the temperature effect on liquid viscosity was found to exert a greater influence on casting time than the gelation effect. Casting times predicted by the mathematical model are shown to compare well with industrial experience. In a separate section, the development and testing of a technique to measure the shape of a descending liquid front is presented. Non-planar fronts are shown to exist and these could induce gas entrainment, which is undesirable in the final product.

Divisions: College of Engineering & Physical Sciences > School of Infrastructure and Sustainable Engineering > Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry
Additional Information: Copyright © Geoffrey Arthur Irlam, 1978. Geoffrey Arthur Irlam asserts his moral right to be identified as the author of this thesis. This copy of the thesis has been supplied on condition that anyone who consults it is understood to recognise that its copyright rests with its author and that no quotation from the thesis and no information derived from it may be published without appropriate permission or acknowledgement. If you have discovered material in Aston Publications Explorer which is unlawful e.g. breaches copyright, (either yours or that of a third party) or any other law, including but not limited to those relating to patent, trademark, confidentiality, data protection, obscenity, defamation, libel, then please read our Takedown Policy and contact the service immediately.
Institution: Aston University
Uncontrolled Keywords: Gelation,Porous Media,Propellant Casting,Transient Flow,Wetting Front
Last Modified: 08 Dec 2023 08:08
Date Deposited: 21 Nov 2010 10:13
Completed Date: 1978-09
Authors: Irlam, Geoffrey Arthur

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