Ignition Transient Investigation of Rocket Motor

Ignition transient is a. very rapid process lasting only in the order of 100 milliseconds and therefore it is difficult to measure all relevant ballistic properties. Numerical simulation is thus useful to quantify some of these hard to measure flow and ballistic properties. One-dimensional model was employed to study the effects of aging using simplified aging scenarios for both N-H sustainer and booster motors. Also the effects of newly designed igniter on the ignition of N-H sustainer was simulated. Radiation effects could be significant in terms of energy flux increase to the propellant surface and the energy exchange between the combustion gas itself. One dimension implementation of radiation showed significant effects for rear-mounted igniter. Implementation of radiation effects into 2-D axi-symmetric numerical model was completed and its effects on the N-H sustainer were examined. To have a reliable prediction of computer model on ignition transient, accurate chemical property data on the propellant and igniter gas are required. It was found that such property data on aged N-H motors are not available. Chemical aging model can be used to predict to some degree of accuracy effects of aging on chemical and mechanical properties. Such a model was developed, albeit 2-dimensional, to study migration of moisture through a representative solid rocket motor configuration.