Optical Diagnostics for Solid Rocket Plumes Characterization: A Review

Angelica Maria Toscano, Marco Rocco Lato, Donato Fontanarosa and Maria Grazia De Giorgi
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Angelica Maria Toscano: Department of Engineering for Innovation, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
Marco Rocco Lato: Department of Engineering for Innovation, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
Donato Fontanarosa: Department of Engineering for Innovation, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
Maria Grazia De Giorgi: Department of Engineering for Innovation, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 4, 1-32

Abstract: In recent decades, solid fuel combustion propulsion of spacecraft has become one of the most popular choices for rocket propulsion systems. The reasons for this success are a wide range of applications, lower production costs, simplicity, and safety. The rocket’s plumes leave the nozzle at high temperatures; hence, the knowledge of produced infrared (IR) emissions is a crucial aspect during the design and tests of the rocket motors. Furthermore, rocket plume composition is given by N 2 , H 2 , H 2 O, CO and CO 2 , while solid rocket motors (SRM) additionally inject some solid particles, given by metal fuel additives in the propellant grain, i.e., aluminum oxide (Al 2 O 3 ) particles. The main issue is the detection of the particles remaining in the atmosphere due to the exhaust gas of the solid rocket propulsion system that could have effects on ozone depletion. The experimental characterization of SRM plumes in the presence of alumina particles can be conducted using different optical techniques. The present study aims to review the most promising ones with a description of the optics system and their potential applications for SRM plume measurements. The most common measurement techniques are infrared spectroscopy imaging, IR imaging. UV–VIS measurements, shadowgraph, and Schlieren optical methods. The choice of these techniques among many others is due to the ability to study the plume without influencing the physical conditions existing in and around the study object. This paper presents technical results concerning the study of rocket engines plumes with the above-mentioned methods and reveals the feasibility of the measurement techniques applied.

Keywords: rocket plume; optical techniques; flow diagnostics; nozzle; spectroscopy; IR signature; Schlieren; shadowgraph; digital inline holography (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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