Infrared radiation signature of exhaust plume from solid propellants with different energy characteristics

The infrared radiation signature of the plume from solid propellants with different energy characteristics is not the same. Three kinds of double-base propellants of different energy characteristics are chosen to measure the infrared spectral radiance from 1000 cm(-1) to 4500 cm(-1) of their plumes. The radiative spectrum is obtained in the tests. The experimental results indicate that the infrared radiation of the plume is determined by the energy characteristics of the propellant. The radiative transfer calculation models of the exhaust plume for the solid propellants are established. By including the chemical reaction source term and the radiation source term into the energy equation, the plume field and the radiative transfer are solved in a coupled way. The calculated results are consistent with the experimental data, so the reliability of the models is confirmed. The temperature distribution and the extent of the afterburning of the plume are distinct for the propellants of different energy characteristics, therefore the plume radiation varies for different propellants. The temperature of the fluid cell in the plume will increase or decrease to some extent by the influence of the radiation term. (C) 2013 Production and hosting by Elsevier Ltd. on behalf of CSAA & BUAA.