Assessment of Variability in the Thermophysical Properties of Rocket Propellant RP-1

Published

June 14, 2012

Author(s)

Tara J. Fortin

Abstract

Density, speed of sound, and viscosity has been measured for eleven orthogonal blends of the rocket propellant RP-1. Density and speed of sound were measured over the temperature range of 278 K to 343 K, while viscosity was measured from 263 K to 373 K. All measurements were made at atmospheric pressure. The density and sound speed data were used to derive adiabatic compressibilities and those results are also reported. Varying, yet significant, degrees of variability over the eleven RP-1 samples were observed for all reported properties. The largest variability was observed for viscosity. The measurement data were also compared to previously reported results for a twelfth RP-1 sample and to the predictions of an existing surrogate mixture model. Discrepancies were observed that seem to indicate a need for the development of a more general model to capture the whole range of thermophysical property variability that is possible with the RP-1 fuel.

Citation

Energy and Fuels

Volume

26

Pub Type

Journals

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.1021/ef3004009

Keywords

Adiabatic Compressibility, Density, Dynamic Viscosity, Kerosene, Kinematic Viscosity, Speed of Sound, Stabinger viscometer, Vibrating-tube densimeter

Citation

Fortin, T. (2012), Assessment of Variability in the Thermophysical Properties of Rocket Propellant RP-1, Energy and Fuels, [online], https://doi.org/10.1021/ef3004009 (Accessed October 14, 2024)