Chemical Engg. seminar series:

Performance Analysis of Composite Solid Propellant Compositions and Population Balance Modeling of Rapid Cooling Continuous Crystallization of Ammonium Perchlorate.

Abstract       :

Composite solid propellants today form the mainstay for popular launch vehicles and missiles of the Indian defense and space program. These propellants are built in a polyurethane framework containing aluminium as the fuel, ammonium perchlorate as the oxidiser embedded in a hydroxy terminated polybutadiene-isocyanate binder curator polymeric matrix.  As we search for the next generation of solid propellants, the existing design principles are largely based on empirical approaches and experimental design which are slow, cumbersome and have safety concerns. The need for a theoretical framework for designing better compositions has been largely met by the NASA CEA program, a legacy program written in the 1970s on a Fortran based solver. This talk aims to set the framework of our existing compositions and the need for a better theoretical approach towards designing our propellant compositions, utilising modern tools in the aim for designing better solid propellant compositions. 

Ammonium Perchlorate (AP) crystallization is a complex process in which the final particle size distribution is governed by the coupled effects of heat transfer, supersaturation generation, nucleation, crystal growth, agglomeration, and breakage. At present, process optimization is largely based on experimental trials, making scale-up and process optimization both time-consuming and resource-intensive. There is a need to develop a predictive mathematical framework capable of describing particle population dynamics under different crystallization conditions. We propose to explore the development of a Population Balance Model (PBM) for the rapid cooling continuous crystallization of AP by integrating crystallization kinetics with heat and mass transfer phenomena. The model will be developed and validated using experimental data generated from our crystallization studies and is intended to predict the evolution of particle size distribution under varying operating conditions. During the presentation, we will present the crystallization process, the experimental studies carried out to date, and the available process data. Based on these results, we seek to discuss the feasibility of developing a Population Balance Model, identify the key phenomena that should be incorporated, and define the scope and methodology for a collaborative research effort. 

About the Speakers:

Dr. Ramesh Kurva is a senior scientist with over 24 years of experience in composite propellants and propulsion technologies for tactical and strategic missile systems. Since joining HEMRL-  DRDO, he has been actively involved in the development of advanced propellant formulations and processing technologies, contributing significantly to indigenous defence capabilities. He completed his Ph.D. from the Defence Institute of Advanced Technology, Pune. Previously, he earned his M.Tech. (Chemical Engineering) from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi and his B.Tech. (Chemical Engineering) from JNTU Anantapur. He has received various awards and recognitions, including the DRDO Young Scientist Award, the High Energy Materials Society of India (HEMSI) R&D Award, the DRDO Strategic Award, and the AGNI Performance Excellence Award. He has 5 granted patents to his credit and has published 25 journal papers and 50 international and national conference papers.

Dr. Ganesh Dombe is a senior scientist with over 23 years of experience in the field of composite propellants and propulsion technologies for tactical and strategic missile systems. Since joining HEMRL-DRDO in 2003, he has been actively involved in the development of advanced propellant formulations and processing technologies, contributing significantly to indigenous defence capabilities. He completed his Ph.D. from the Defence Institute of Advanced Technology, Pune (2016), and his M.Tech. (Chemical Engineering) from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (2003) and B.E. (Chemical Engineering) from Shivaji University, Kolhapur (2001). He has received several honors including the DRDO Path Breaking Research and Outstanding Technology Development Award, High Energy Materials Society of India (HEMSI) R&D Award, and the DRDO Technology Day Award. He has 2 granted patents and has co-authored to 25 journal and conference publications.