Elements of modelling the use of particles in solid-propellant rocket motors

Important elements of the framework for numerically evaluating the usage of reactive aluminum particles in solid-propellant rocket motors are brought forward, and where possible, predicted model results are correlated to established experimental observations. A principal purpose in using inert or reactive particles is for the suppression of axial pressure wave development in the motor. In this study, a primary focus is placed on evaluating the qualitative trends associated with the time-dependent reduction in size of the reactive aluminum particles as they move downstream in the central internal flow. To narrow the scope of this preliminary study, the reactive particle size regression is stipulated to occur at a designated uniform rate for a given simulated firing. Individual transient internal ballistic simulation runs for a reference composite-propellant cylindrical-grain motor show the evolution of the axial pressure wave for a given initiating pressure disturbance, and for particle loading, initial pa...