Bn. Kondrikov et al., Combustion of ammonium nitrate-based compositions, metal-containing and water-impregnated compounds, J PROPUL P, 15(6), 1999, pp. 763-771
Ammonium nitrate (AN), an inorganic solid oxidizer used in rocket propulsio
n decades ago, has been enjoying a new prosperity. The main reasons favorin
g its return are that it produces environmentally friendly combustion produ
cts, it is very cheap, and it is a safe energetic material. The principal o
bjectives of this work are to improve the general understanding of pure AN
combustion, clarify the burning properties of a broad range of AN-based for
mulations, and elucidate some instability effects of pure AN, as well as AN
-based propellant burning. Experiments were performed on several categories
of AN-based compositions: neat AN burning as a solid monopropellant, with
minor additives to promote decomposition chemical reactions; mixtures:of AN
with organic substances including trinitrotoluene; solid mixtures of AN wi
th metallic powders;:and AN water solutions with an organic fuel (also call
ed water-impregnated compositions). Preliminary results indicate that, up t
o pressures of the order of hundreds of atmospheres, the main reactions res
ponsible for the heat release occur:mostly in the condensed phase. At highe
r pressures, the gas phase flame plays an important role in controlling the
burning rate.