Part 1 Tabulated Thermal Data for Hydrocarbon Oxidation Products at High Temperatures. Part 2 The Effect of Dissociation on Rocket Performance Calculations

Abstract

Part 1. Tables are given of the total heat and entropy of H2O, CO2, 02, CO, H2, OH, O and H for the range of temperature 1500-4000 °K. Values are also given for the corresponding equilibrium constants over the same temperature range. The tables have been compiled with a view to their use in calculating the performance of liquid-fuel rockets. Part 2. The equilibrium constants and thermal properties of all the important gas components have been used to calculate some theoretical combustion chamber temperatures and specific impulses allowing for all dissociation effects. The results are compared with a previous method which ignored dissociation (into OH, O and H components), in the case of a propellant consisting of a 3 to 1 mixture ratio of oxygen and hydrocarbon fuel. The combustion chamber temperature is found to be about 300°C lower and the specific impulse about 10 seconds smaller than the figures given previously.