Abstract

Studies on characterization of size and shape of pulverizer ground ammonium perchlorate using laser based analyzers

Author(s): Sunil Jain, Mehilal, K.I.Dhabbe, B.Bhattacharya

Most of composite propellant compositions contain solid loading up to 86 %. The main solid ingredients of composite propellant is ammonium perchlorate which is used inmulti-modal form. The different particle sizes ofAP are obtained using pulverizer, air classifiermill and fluid energymill. However, pulverizer ismost commonly used to get particle sizes in different range. In the present study, pulverizer has been utilized to grindAP by varying operating parameters such as pulverizer speed and feed rate. The ground AP was characterized using laser based particle size analyzer (CILASmake) and dynamic shape analyzer, DSA-10 ofAnkersmid make. The data on shape infer that as size of groundAP decreases, shape factor decreases and particles become more irregular in shape. Also, based on the different grinding parameters of pulverizer, an empirical equation has been developed and used for the prediction of particle size. The experimental results indicate that the values of groundAP particle sizes are very close to predicted ones.