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U.S. Department of Energy
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Laser probes of propellant combustion chemistry. Final report 30 Sep 80-31 Jan 84

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6547196

Laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) can be used to measure the atomic, diatomic, and triatomic free radicals that are the intermediates in combustion chemistry. Coupled with detailed models, which incorporate a sound and consistent set of reaction rate constants, such measurements can lead to an understanding of that chemistry, having predictive value for use under experimentally difficult conditions. This report describes the development of LIF techniques, the applications of such techniques of flames and to laser pyrolysis/laser fluorescence kinetics experiments, studies of rate constant estimations and detailed modeling of combustion chemistry. The chemistry studied is that of combusting mixtures of CH4/N2O, CH2O/N2O, CH2O/NO2, and related compounds. These contain the chemical networks, individual reactions, and radical species present in the gas-phase combustion of nitramine propellants, such as HMX and RDX. The tasks described are LIF diagnostic studies on O, N, OH, NCO, and NH2 in flow systems and flames, rate constant estimation studies for unimolecular decomposition of CH2O and several hydrocarbons, modelling of the CH2O/N2O flame, and laser pyrolysis/laser fluorescence studies of CH4/N2O and CH2O/N2O chemistry.

Research Organization:
SRI International, Menlo Park, CA (USA)
OSTI ID:
6547196
Report Number(s):
AD-A-140767/5; SRI-MP-84-053
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English