Role of Gasphase Reactions During Radiant Ignition of Solid Propellants

Abstract

—A homogeneous propellant subjected to monochromatic radiant heating at the surface and in contact with an oxidizing gas is considered. Differential equations describing the conservation of species and energy in one dimension are solved numerically on a computer. The results indicate that though the gasphase reactions are important in establishing a gasphase flame, their influence in evaluating the ignition behaviour of the propellant can be conveniently neglected, at least for low heating rates and high pressures. Only at very low pressures and extremely high heating rates do the gasphase processess become important.