| Summary: | The exhaust -plumes generated by rocket motors are of significant military importance
for missile detection, recognition and communication due to their electromagnetic
emission and propagation properties. The plume is a high temperature, high velocity
stream of gas and particles, into which the surrounding air is entrained. With
improvements in the modelling of plume gas chemistry and turbulence, particles
present in the plume have become more important in the computational prediction of
the plume's flow field, and the subsequent prediction of plume emission and
propagation characteristics.
This thesis describes research on plume particles, including the measurement of their
physical characteristics and the addition of two phase coding (ie. particles) into current
plume prediction software. Particle collections were carried out in plumes produced by
rocket motors with double base and composite propellants (including aluminised). The
collected particles were analysed to establish their chemical composition and size
distribution. A laser Doppler anemometer system was successfully used to measure
particle velocities in the plumes of 1.5kN double base motors. Particle tracking
software was used to trace the paths of particles using a simplified prediction of the
plume and it was found that the predicted particle behaviour was analogous to that
measured experimentally.
Project management software was used during the research and its relevance was
assessed in respect to the project's size and nature. The management of experimental
trials was studied and a methodology formulated to help improve their future operation.
The costs and benefits of the research were assessed and compared to other research
projects. Many of the benefits gained, such as measurement techniques, require
marketing to ensure that they are exploited in the future. Recommendations for future
research are given that should enhance the present work.
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