Research Projects

Gelled fluids are a homogeneous mixture of a base fluid and a gelling agent. They possess highly non-Newtonian rheological characteristics. Gel propellant rocket engines involve use of special additives to alter the rheological properties of the liquid propellant so as to convert the propellants into the gel state. Gel propellants offer advantages of solid propellants in that they are easy to store and handle. They also have the advantages of liquid propellants in that they liquefy when subject to high shear stresses in the injector. Gel propellants will not slosh, will not spill through leaks and have reduced vapour pressure compared to the base fluid. The gel propellants need a high pressure to drive them through the feed system and expel them through the nozzle of the injector. They may also be impregnated with certain metallic particles to increase the density impulse. The flow of gel propellants under high pressure through the regenerative passages, with and without metallic additives, is to be investigated. The heat transfer parameters such as heat transfer coefficient, specific heat and thermal conductivity are to be determined under the relevant conditions. Heat transfer parameters of gel propellants relevant to film cooling can also be investigated. The role of heat transfer parameters in ignition and sustainability of the combustible mixture in steady state is to be studied.