Effects of gellant concentration on the burning and flame structure of organic gel propellant droplets

The increasing demand for higher energy density fuels and the ever-increasing concern for their safety have propelled research in the field of gel propellants. For studying the fundamental parameters without the interference of neighbouring droplets, an isolated droplet was chosen to investigate experimentally the combustion process of gel propellants under normal gravity conditions. Phase separation of the gel propellant components leading to bubble nucleation, vapor jetting and microexplosions were found to be the main phenomenon involved during the combustion period. Experiments were comprehensively carried out to study the effect of gellant concentration on the burning rate constant as well as flame structure. The burning rate constant was found to decrease with increase in the gellant concentration. Decrease in the calorific value of the increasing gellant concentrations was proposed as one of the reasons for this variation. The flame exhibited a triple flame structure for all the cases for both C(2)(+) radicals as well luminous flames. The horizontal and vertical flame standoff distances were observed to decrease with gellant content. Decrease in the content of the base fuel was proposed as the reason for the same. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.