Aluminum combustion in a solid rocket motor environment

A model for prediction of particle radius and oxide cap size/shape versus time for an aluminum particle tracking a stream-tube through a solid rocket motor port has been developed. Following preliminary calculations leading to it postulated flame structure, a quasi-steady model to predict instantaneous consumption of aluminum and generation of condensed oxide (both as a cap oil the aluminum particle and as smoke) as a function of instantaneous particle size, ambient conditions, and cumulative amount of oxide in the cap was developed. Finally, this model was imbedded into a framework tracking evolution of particle size, oxide cap size, and ambient conditions, which change as the particle travels along a stream-tube consuming oxidizer and releasing heat. Qualitative agreement was found between predictions and limited observations. (C) 2009 The Combustion Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.