Water-free solid propellant exhaust gases

Abstract

This invention disclosure relates to the incorporation of a high nitrogenntaining compound selected from tetrazole and bitetrazole in the form of a doughnut forward of the nozzle throat or in the form of a toroidal ring attached to the aft end of the nozzle exit cone. Both have been demonstrated as an effective means of reducing the quantity of water in the exhaust plume to an acceptable level which does not impart adverse effects on sensors or cause a reactive effect on the graphite constituents of the rocket nozzle. The compound, bitetrazole or tetrazole, can also be incorporated into the solid propellant where it will function similarly as a means or mechanism for water removal from the exhaust plume. Because of its contribution to the propellant's performance through the generation of near-incompressible gases, N.sub.2, H.sub.2 and CO, it is a desirable propellant ingredient.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.