EXTINGUISHMENT OF SOLID PROPELLANTS BY RAPID DEPRESSURIZATION

Abstract
A new theory for extinction by depressurization of AP composite propellants is employed to predict the rate of pressure decrease required to achieve flame-out and to rationalize the effects of various composition parameters on the ease of extinguishment. The research is concentrated mainly on the 'temporary' extinguishment behavior of solid propellants, but a re- ignition theory is also presented. Attention is given in this theory to the proper derivation of the nonsteady heat feedback from the gaseous flame zone to the burning surface. Included in the model are the essential physical and chemical rate processes of the granular diffusion flame model, as deduced from the steady state burning characteristics. A brief study of double-base propellants which indicates that they are considerably easier to extinguish than composite propellants concludes this report. A rough model for the burning of double-base propellants is presented which further indicates the importance of the flame structure in determining the extinguishment characteristics of solid propellants.

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