Combustion of High-Energy-High-Density Fuels

Abstract

Quantitative analyses of combustion products of a High Energy/High Density (HED) hydrocarbon, Methylated Pentacycloundecane Alkene Dinner (MPCU), are presented. This compound is a large molecule, C₂₄H₂₈, which dissolves in large proportions in existing liquid hydrocarbons, such as JP-10, forming stable blends to 50% w/w. These blends exhibited a five-fold larger burning rate compared with pure JP-10 droplets. Identification of combustion products of MPCU by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry (FTIR) and Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectroscopy (GC/MS) indicated that major components are CO₂, H₂O, CH₄, C₂H₂, toluene, benzene and pentagonal ring structures such as cyclopentadiene and methyl-cyclopentadiene, along with small concentrations of ethylbenzene, dimethyl benzene and phenylethyne. These aromatic compounds are suspected to lead to the formation of PAH and the soot that was observed in the combustion products. Specific heat capacities, viscosities and surface tensions of the mixtures of MPCU with JP-10 and their burning rates have been measured and the data is included below.

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C. SEGAL

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