Diagnostic Methods for Particle Property Measurements in Solid Rocket Motor Plumes

Abstract : an analysis of optical instrumentation techniques for particle property measurements in solid rocket motor exhaust plumes is presented. Operational limitations of the fringe type dual scatter, transit time, and local oscillator systems are presented in detail. In addition, two particle sizing interferometer systems were evaluated. State-of-the-art optical systems are reviewed and evaluated for particle velocity, particle size, and number density measurements. Particle diffusion spectroscopy, Schlieren correlation, and the radiating particle velocimeter were examined and recommended for measurement of particle size, mass density, and particle temperature. An ultraviolet forward Mie scattering computer code was used to examine ultraviolet scattering patterns from particles.