A Study on Sugar Propellant Grain Geometries

Faculty Mentor Name

Michael Fabian

Format Preference

Poster

Abstract

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is one of the world’s top universities for students seeking to develop a career in propulsion. However, in order to properly prepare students for the professional arena, it is imperative for students to gain hands on experience with the design and construction process of propulsion systems. Currently, experimental rocketry research can only be conducted on campus under the Undergraduate Research Program, the Eagle Space Flight Team, and Eagle Aerospace. In the past, many students have successfully created solid rocket motors; however, their research was constrained to a simple circle grain geometry. Embry-Riddle currently lacks the required equipment to effectively shape any other rocket motor grains. Therefore, the primary goal of this project is to design and manufacture a mandrel extractor which can be used to effectively shape solid rocket motor grains. The secondary goal of this project will be to perform an apples-to-apples comparison between two different grain geometries. In order to accomplish the primary goal of the objective, a mandrel extractor was designed. Not only must the mandrel extractor be light enough for easy transportation, but powerful enough to remove the mandrel without twisting. In order to accomplish the secondary goal of this project, a Matlab code was written which simulated the thrust curve of solid rocket motors. This not only allowed the team to theoretically predict motor performance, but ensured that explosive decomposition will not occur. Below are the equations which were used to predict the solid rocket motor’s performance. Furthermore, a mandrel has been designed which has a different surface area, yet identical volume to the circle. The mandrel chosen for manufacturing was an equilateral hexagon star.

Poster Presentation

IGNITE GRANT AWARD

Location

AC1-ATRIUM

Start Date

4-8-2016 1:00 PM

End Date

4-8-2016 3:00 PM

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Apr 8th, 1:00 PM Apr 8th, 3:00 PM

A Study on Sugar Propellant Grain Geometries

AC1-ATRIUM

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is one of the world’s top universities for students seeking to develop a career in propulsion. However, in order to properly prepare students for the professional arena, it is imperative for students to gain hands on experience with the design and construction process of propulsion systems. Currently, experimental rocketry research can only be conducted on campus under the Undergraduate Research Program, the Eagle Space Flight Team, and Eagle Aerospace. In the past, many students have successfully created solid rocket motors; however, their research was constrained to a simple circle grain geometry. Embry-Riddle currently lacks the required equipment to effectively shape any other rocket motor grains. Therefore, the primary goal of this project is to design and manufacture a mandrel extractor which can be used to effectively shape solid rocket motor grains. The secondary goal of this project will be to perform an apples-to-apples comparison between two different grain geometries. In order to accomplish the primary goal of the objective, a mandrel extractor was designed. Not only must the mandrel extractor be light enough for easy transportation, but powerful enough to remove the mandrel without twisting. In order to accomplish the secondary goal of this project, a Matlab code was written which simulated the thrust curve of solid rocket motors. This not only allowed the team to theoretically predict motor performance, but ensured that explosive decomposition will not occur. Below are the equations which were used to predict the solid rocket motor’s performance. Furthermore, a mandrel has been designed which has a different surface area, yet identical volume to the circle. The mandrel chosen for manufacturing was an equilateral hexagon star.

Poster Presentation

IGNITE GRANT AWARD