Computer model predictions of the local effects of large, solid-fuel rocket motors on stratospheric ozone. Technical report

Technical Report · Sat Sep 10 04:00:00 EDT 1994

OSTI ID:7070382

Zittel, P F

The solid-fuel rocket motors of large space launch vehicles release gases and particles that may significantly affect stratospheric ozone densities along the vehicle's path. In this study, standard rocket nozzle and flowfield computer codes have been used to characterize the exhaust gases and particles through the afterburning region of the solid-fuel motors of the Titan IV launch vehicle. The models predict that a large fraction of the HCl gas exhausted by the motors is converted to Cl and Cl2 in the plume afterburning region. Estimates of the subsequent chemistry suggest that on expansion into the ambient daytime stratosphere, the highly reactive chlorine may significantly deplete ozone in a cylinder around the vehicle track that ranges from 1 to 5 km in diameter over the altitude range of 15 to 40 km. The initial ozone depletion is estimated to occur on a time scale of less than 1 hour. After the initial effects, the dominant chemistry of the problem changes, and new models are needed to follow the further expansion, or closure, of the ozone hole on a longer time scale.

• Research Organization: Aerospace Corp., El Segundo, CA (United States)
• OSTI ID: 7070382
• Report Number(s): AD-A-285632/6/XAB; TR--94(4231)-9; CNN: F04701-93-C-0094
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
CLIMATIC CHANGE
ENGINES
GREENHOUSE EFFECT
HEAT ENGINES
ROCKET ENGINES