On the effect of RDX inclusion in an AP/HTPB composite propellant: A numerical study with detailed kinetics

IF 5.8 2区工程技术 Q2 ENERGY & FUELS

Combustion and Flame Pub Date : 2025-04-15 DOI:10.1016/j.combustflame.2025.114162

Pierre Bernigaud , Dmitry Davidenko , Laurent Catoire

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

In this work, the effect of hexogen (RDX) inclusion in a conventional ammonium perchlorate (AP)/hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) composite propellant is investigated. To this end, a detailed gas-phase kinetic mechanism for the ternary system AP/HTPB/RDX is proposed. A revised vapour pressure law is used to model RDX evaporation. The combustion model is able to represent the chemical processes within the flame produced by the combustion of pure AP, homogenized AP/HTPB pseudo-propellants, and pure RDX. With this kinetic model, the combustion of a single RDX particle surrounded by a layer of homogenized AP/HTPB binder is simulated in a 2D axisymmetric configuration. It is shown that RDX inclusion significantly alters the combustion of the propellant. A phenomenological description of the flame structure forming above the heterogeneous propellant is proposed. This flame does not conform to the Beckstead–Derr–Price model, usually valid for conventional AP/HTPB propellants. Ambient pressure and RDX particle size are varied to assess the effect of these key parameters on the combustion. Two combustion regimes are identified: the hot and mild regimes. Conditions for the appearance of each combustion regime are determined in terms of ambient pressure and RDX particle size.

Novelty and Significance

Composite propellants could include nitramine ingredients such as hexogen (RDX) in their formulation to improve their performance. The effect of RDX inclusion in a conventional ammonium perchlorate (AP) / hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) propellant was experimentally studied in the past [1], [2]. However, understanding the fine combustion processes at stake remained out of reach. On the other hand, numerical simulation of the combustion was unachievable, as no gas-phase kinetic mechanism for the ternary system AP/HTPB/RDX was available. This paper first proposes such a kinetic model based on previous work by the authors on pure AP [3] and AP/HTPB combustion [4]. In doing so, a revised vapour pressure law is proposed for RDX combustion. With this mechanism, the flame structure obtained above an AP/HTPB/RDX propellant is computed. RDX inclusion significantly alters the combustion of the AP/HTPB propellant via specific processes, which are highlighted.

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AP/HTPB复合推进剂中RDX夹杂物的影响：详细动力学的数值研究

本文研究了六原（RDX）包合在常规高氯酸铵(AP)/端羟基聚丁二烯（HTPB）复合推进剂中的作用。为此，提出了AP/HTPB/RDX三元体系气相动力学的详细机理。修正后的蒸汽压力定律用于模拟RDX蒸发。燃烧模型能够表征纯AP、均质AP/HTPB伪推进剂和纯RDX燃烧时火焰内的化学过程。利用该动力学模型，在二维轴对称构型下模拟了被一层均质AP/HTPB粘结剂包裹的单个RDX颗粒的燃烧过程。结果表明，RDX包合物对推进剂的燃烧有明显的影响。对非均相推进剂上方火焰结构的形成进行了现象学描述。这种火焰不符合Beckstead-Derr-Price模型，该模型通常适用于传统的AP/HTPB推进剂。通过改变环境压力和RDX颗粒大小来评估这些关键参数对燃烧的影响。确定了两种燃烧状态：热状态和温和状态。每种燃烧状态的外观条件取决于环境压力和RDX颗粒大小。新颖性和意义复合推进剂可以在配方中加入硝胺成分，如己酮（RDX），以提高其性能。在过去的[1]，[2]中，实验研究了RDX包合在常规高氯酸铵/端羟基聚丁二烯推进剂中的作用。然而，对精细燃烧过程的理解仍然遥不可及。另一方面，由于无法获得三元体系AP/HTPB/RDX的气相动力学机理，因此无法进行燃烧的数值模拟。本文在前人对纯AP[3]和AP/HTPB燃烧[4]的研究基础上，首次提出了该动力学模型。在此过程中，提出了RDX燃烧的修订蒸汽压力定律。利用这一机理，对AP/HTPB/RDX推进剂的火焰结构进行了计算。RDX包合物通过特殊的过程显著地改变了AP/HTPB推进剂的燃烧。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Combustion and Flame 工程技术-工程：化工

CiteScore

9.50

自引率

20.50%

发文量

631

审稿时长

3.8 months

期刊介绍： The mission of the journal is to publish high quality work from experimental, theoretical, and computational investigations on the fundamentals of combustion phenomena and closely allied matters. While submissions in all pertinent areas are welcomed, past and recent focus of the journal has been on: Development and validation of reaction kinetics, reduction of reaction mechanisms and modeling of combustion systems, including: Conventional, alternative and surrogate fuels; Pollutants; Particulate and aerosol formation and abatement; Heterogeneous processes. Experimental, theoretical, and computational studies of laminar and turbulent combustion phenomena, including: Premixed and non-premixed flames; Ignition and extinction phenomena; Flame propagation; Flame structure; Instabilities and swirl; Flame spread; Multi-phase reactants. Advances in diagnostic and computational methods in combustion, including: Measurement and simulation of scalar and vector properties; Novel techniques; State-of-the art applications. Fundamental investigations of combustion technologies and systems, including: Internal combustion engines; Gas turbines; Small- and large-scale stationary combustion and power generation; Catalytic combustion; Combustion synthesis; Combustion under extreme conditions; New concepts.