Heterogeneous reactions in ignition and combustion of solid propellants

Ignition of Ammonium Perchlorate

“…Once the system has passed the unstable steady state, it will proceed toward the reactive steady state even if the external energy source is removed-hence an ignition will have occurred. Previous ignition models [Altman and Grant, 1953, Anderson et al, 1964and 1966Baer and Ryan, 1965;Beyer et al, 1965;Hermance et aI., 1965;Hicks, 1954;McAlevy et al, 1960;Price et al, 1966] have not incorporated this unified approach; rather, they describe the ignition process only up to a point of runaway condition, usually with an arbitrary criterion for ignitedness. Subsequently, attention has been directed toward a more complete model encompassing the start of ignition, the ignition transient, and the culmination in a steady deflagration [Baer and Ryan, 1968;Shannon and Deverall, 1969;Watt and Peterson, 1973].…”

The burning mechanism of ammonium perchlorate- based composite solidpropellants

“…Andersen and Brown (114,115) proposed that heterogeneous reaction between the gaseous oxidizer decomposition products and solid fuel at the oxidizer interfaces is rate-controlling. No diagnostic test data to support the idea were advanced and no burning rate equation has been derived for the model; so, it must be regarded as an untested hypothesis.…”