Combustion Chemistry of Rocket Fuel Pyrolysis
January 1, 2025
HTPB/AP pyrolysis at temperatures above 1000 °C and the rapid formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in solid fuel combustion.
Cite: PAH Induction upon Pyrolysis of Hydroxyl-Terminated Polybutadiene-Based Solid Rocket Fuels. Journal of Physical Chemistry A, ACS Publications.
PAH Formation in HTPB/AP Pyrolysis
Pyrolysis of hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene/ammonium perchlorate (HTPB/AP) at temperatures above 1000 °C yields rapid formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) within microseconds. This phenomenon, absent in HTPB alone, reveals ammonium perchlorate's critical role in directing aromatic growth, with significant implications for solid fuel combustion chemistry and pollutant formation.
Reference
"PAH Induction upon Pyrolysis of Hydroxyl-Terminated Polybutadiene-Based Solid Rocket Fuels" — published on ACS Publications.