A pulse forming network design for electrothermal-chemical combustion characterization of solid propellants

Abstract

The combustion of solid propellants subjected to plasma augmentation, has been studied with a 300 kJ maximum stored energy pulse forming network (PFN) in the range of 1 kJ/g of electrical energy over a 1.2 ms pulse length. A closed chamber vessel is used for the combustion of these solid propellants in which the plasma is injected via a plasma generator. To characterize the effects of such plasma augmentation on propellant combustion over a longer pulse length, this PFN was upgraded to a maximum stored energy output of 400 kJ with a 2.4 ms pulse length. This report discusses the theoretical calculations, PFN upgrade design and fabrication details. Also provided are the design and modifications of the plasma generator that allows a delayed plasma injection with respect to the propellent ignition. Details of the plasma delay firings are also discussed.