Comparison of Monomethylhydrazine/Hydroxypropylcellulose and Hydrocarbon/Silica Gels

Abstract

Experimental studies have been performed to investigate rheology and droplet burning with different types of gelled propellants. Monomethylhydrazine has been gelled with organic hydroxypropylcellulose. JP-8 and RP-1 hydrocarbon gels have been produced with inorganic fumed silica particles. Rheological characterization showed the differences in terms of viscosity and yield stress behavior due to different types of gelling agents. Herschel-Bulkley and Carreau-Yasuda models have been used to characterize the gels with inorganic and organic gelling agents, respectively. First experiments with the Monomethylhydrazine/hydroxypropylcellulose gels showed a typical swelling process during combustion with a flexible viscous droplet surface. Contrary to that, the hydrocarbon/silica gels burned while a rigid silica structure was built, which remained unburned. Burning drop measurements have been compared to the d^2-squared law.