Temperature profile in the combustion wave of low calorific value propellants

Combustion wave temperature profiles are determined for two low calorific value propellants (Qc = 2189 and 2518 kJ/kg). It is shown that the structure and parameters of the combustion wave differ significantly from those for previously studied propellants of medium (propellant N) and high (propellant NB) calorific values. At a relatively short distance from the burning surface, the temperature is significantly (180–270 K) higher than the calculated value due to fact the combustion products contain carbon black from the decomposition of heat-resistant dibutyl dinitrotoluene and dibutyl phthalate. Then, part of carbon black reacts endothermically with CO2 and H2O, leading to a decrease in temperature, which for the first sample is nevertheless 100–140 K higher than the thermodynamic value. For the investigated propellants, the activation energy of the leading reaction is the same as for the previously studied propellants, suggesting a common decomposition kinetics of the condensed phase regardless of the propellant composition. However, a uniform dependence of the burning rate on surface temperature is not observed. For low calorific value propellants, the surface temperatures are close to those for propellant N although their burning rate is significantly (2–2.2 times) lower. The causes of this fact are considered.