Stephen Bluestone January 17, 2008 Propulsion – Propellants Solid and Hybrid Isp Research help from: Dana Lattibeaudiere and Nicole Wilcox AAE 450 Spring 2008
Solid Isp Low Inert Mass compared to Hybrids and Liquids Fuels (Solids) Isp (seconds) DB 220-230 DB/AP/AL 260-265 DB/AP-HMX/Al 265-270 PVC/AP/Al PU/AP/Al PBAN/AP/Al 260-263 CTPB/AP/Al HTPB/AP/Al PBAA/AP/Al AN/Polymer 180-190 Low Inert Mass compared to Hybrids and Liquids High density allows for smaller engines (countered by low Isp) AAE 450 Spring 2008 Propulsion
Hybrid Isp A virtually limitless combination of oxidizers and solid fuels Solids are commonly plastics or rubbers Isp values ranging from mid 200’s to low 300’s Future Work Fuel selection for each stage/configuration More detailed analysis of solid/hybrid performance AAE 450 Spring 2008 Propulsion
Solid Fuel Acronyms Al = aluminum AN = Ammonium Nitrate AP = Ammonium Perchlorate CTPB = Carboxy-terminated Polybutadiene DB = Double-base HMX = Cyclotetramethylene Tetranitramine HTPB = Hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene PBAA = Polybutadiene-acrylic acid polymer PBAN = Polybutadiene-acrylic acid-acrylonitrile terpolymer PU = Polyurethane PVC = Polyvinyl Chloride AAE 450 Spring 2008
Sources Humble, Ronald W., Henry, Gary N., Larson, Wiley J. “Hybrid Rocket Propulsion Systems,” Space Propulsion Analysis and Design, 1st ed. revised, Primis, New York, 1995, pp. 404-408, 695-714 Sutton, George P., Biblarz, Oscar “Solid Propellants,” Rocket Propulsion Elements, 7th ed., Wiley, New York, 2001, pp. 481-487 AAE 450 Spring 2008