Experimental study of thermal conditions of the formation of aerosol from graphite grade GВ-50/12 in the power plant of a T-64B tank

The results of an experimental investigation of the properties of GV-50/12 graphite and the measurement of the thermal parameters of the gas outflow in the power plant of the T-64B tank on the subject of the formation of an aerosol from expandable graphite are presented in the work. The method of improving the thermal smoke apparatus is disclosed, which consists in the injection of graphite powder into the bypass gas duct of the power setup of the T-64 tank, causing the release of an aerosol cloud from the power setup of the tank. The experimental study was divided into two parts: the study of the expanding coefficient of graphite GV-50/12; study of the temperature of the exhaust gases in the area of the gas duct outlet. The coefficient of an expansion of graphite was determined based on the results of the ratio of the bulk mass of graphite before heating and after heating at a constant measuring volume. Graphite mass was measured on an ADG200C analytical scales. The change in shape of graphite as a result of thermal shock was studied on an optical microscope with an image magnification of 140 times. According to the research results, it was found that the bulk density of GV-50/12 graphite decreases by 26 times as a result of thermal shock. It was determined that graphite particles acquire a three-dimensional structure. It is this structure that leads to a decrease in the bulk density of this substance. Therefore, in the case of using expanded graphite GV-50/12 as an aerosol substance, prolonged stability of the aerosol curtain is achieved due to low hydraulic coarseness. The study of the temperature of the exhaust gases in the area of the gas duct cover of the T-64B tank was carried out while the 5TDF engine was operating on the spot, while driving in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gears. To measure the gas temperature, a K-type thermocouple was installed in the gas duct outlet, which has a temperature measurement range from 0 °C to + 800 °C. It was determined that in order to create an aerosol from graphite, it is necessary to increase the temperature of the gas in the outlet channel from 250-330 °С to 1000 °С. The increase in gas temperature can be achieved due to the combustion of fuel in the exhaust gases, given the presence of a sufficient concentration of oxygen. A sufficient concentration of oxygen in the exhaust gases is caused by the combustion of fuel in the engine with an excess of air by 1.8-2 times and by blowing the cylinders of the 5TDF engine with air.