US-12617738-B2 - Removing dissolved gasses from propellant compositions

US12617738B2US 12617738 B2US12617738 B2US 12617738B2US-12617738-B2

Abstract

A method for removing a gas from a propellant composition includes providing an uncured propellant composition comprising a bonding agent, energetic particles, and a polymeric binder, and flowing an inert gas through the uncured propellant composition to remove an evolved gas from the uncured propellant composition.

Inventors

Thomas Michael Deppert
Luis G. Interiano
Jerry A. Lambert
Carl Shanholtz

Assignees

GOODRICH CORPORATION
RAYTHEON COMPANY

Dates

Publication Date: 20260505
Application Date: 20220208

Claims (11)

1 . A method for removing a gas from a propellant composition, the method comprising: providing an uncured propellant composition comprising a bonding agent, energetic particles, and polymeric binder; and flowing an inert gas at room temperature through the uncured propellant composition to remove an evolved gas from the uncured propellant composition.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the inert gas is nitrogen gas (N 2 ), argon gas (Ar), helium gas (He), or any combination thereof.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the uncured propellant composition is in a mixing container, and mixing includes rotating the uncured propellant composition around a central axis of the mixing container.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the mixing container further includes a gas inlet and a vent for flowing the inert gas through the uncured propellant composition and out of the mixing container, respectively.
5 . The method of claim 3 , further comprising venting the inert gas and the gas from the mixing container.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the bonding agent is a tetraethylenepentamine acrylonitrile glycidol adduct, reaction product of tetraethylenepentamine and acrylonitrile, C-1, diethylenetriamine, or a combination thereof.
7 . A method for removing a gas from a propellant composition, the method comprising: disposing a bonding agent, energetic particles, and a polymeric binder in a mixing container, the bonding agent, the energetic particles, and polymeric binder forming a propellant composition; rotating the mixing container about its central axis to mix the propellant composition; and flowing at room temperature, while rotating, an inert gas through the propellant composition to remove an evolved gas from the propellant composition.
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the inert gas is nitrogen gas, argon gas, helium gas, or any combination thereof.
9 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the mixing container further includes a gas inlet and a vent for flowing the inert gas through the propellant composition.
10 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising venting the inert gas and the gas from the mixing container.
11 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the bonding agent is a tetraethylenepentamine acrylonitrile glycidol adduct, reaction product of tetraethylenepentamine and acrylonitrile, N,N′-bis(cyanoethyl)-dihydroxypropyl amine (C-1), diethylenetriamine, or a combination thereof.

Description

BACKGROUND Exemplary embodiments pertain to the art of propellants, and more specifically, to removing dissolved gasses from propellant compositions. Solid propellant compositions include solid energetic particles dispersed in a rubbery matrix, called a binder. A bonding agent coats the solid energetic particle surfaces and bonds to the polymeric binder either chemically or adhesively. Generally, an effective bonding agent will coat the energetic particle surfaces, chemically react to form an encapsulating film around the particles, and bond to the binder either chemically or adhesively. If the bonding agent film has sufficient affinity for the energetic particle surface, it will prevent binder from separating from the energetic particles when subjected to stress. The bonding agent may be coated onto the energetic particles either before incorporation into the propellant composition mix or, in some cases, during the composition mixing operation. Compounds that release oxidizing chemical species to the combustion process and/or liberate energy upon decomposition are examples of type of solid energetic particles. Since the oxidizers can make up a majority of the particulate matter, the bonds between the binders and the oxidizer particles have significant effects on structural properties. Methods of making propellant compositions include combining energetic particles with bonding agents and a polymeric binder to form a viscous slurry. The propellant slurry is poured or cast into the rocket motor case and cured in a large oven to form the final propellant. Curing transforms the slurry into a hard, rubbery material, or propellant grain. BRIEF DESCRIPTION Disclosed in embodiments is a method for removing a gas from a propellant composition includes providing an uncured propellant composition comprising a bonding agent, energetic particles, and a polymeric binder, and flowing an inert gas through the uncured propellant composition to remove an evolved gas from the uncured propellant composition. In further embodiments, the inert gas is nitrogen gas (N2), argon gas (Ar), helium gas (He), or any combination thereof. In further embodiments, the uncured propellant composition is in a mixing container, and flowing the inert gas includes rotating the uncured propellant composition around a central axis of the mixing container. In further embodiments, the mixing is performed at room temperature. In further embodiments, the mixing container further includes a gas inlet and a vent for flowing the inert gas through the uncured propellant composition and out of the mixing container, respectively. In further embodiments, the methods include venting the inert gas and the gas from the mixing container. In further embodiments, the bonding agent is a tetraethylenepentamine acrylonitrile glycidol adduct, reaction product of tetraethylenepentamine and acrylonitrile, C-1, diethylenetriamine, or a combination thereof. Also disclosed in embodiments is a method for removing a gas from a propellant composition that includes disposing a bonding agent, energetic particles, and a polymeric binder in a mixing container. The bonding agent, the energetic particles, and polymeric binder form a propellant composition. The method includes rotating the mixing container about its central axis to mix the propellant composition. The method further includes flowing, while rotating, an inert gas through the propellant composition to remove an evolved gas from the propellant composition. In further embodiments, the inert gas is nitrogen gas, argon gas, helium gas, or any combination thereof. In further embodiments, the mixing is performed at room temperature. In further embodiments, the mixing container further includes a gas inlet and a vent for flowing the inert gas through the propellant composition. In further embodiments, the method further includes venting the inert gas and the gas from the mixing container. In further embodiments, the bonding agent is a tetraethylenepentamine acrylonitrile glycidol adduct, reaction product of tetraethylenepentamine and acrylonitrile, N,N′-bis(cyanoethyl)-dihydroxypropyl amine (C-1), diethylenetriamine, or a combination thereof. Also disclosed in embodiments is an apparatus that includes a mixing container for mixing a propellant composition and configured to rotate about a central axis, a lid coupled to mixing container, and an inert gas inlet on the lid for flowing an inert gas into the mixing container. In further embodiments, the mixing container has a cylindrical shape. In further embodiments, the apparatus further includes a vent on the lid for allowing the inert gas to escape from the mixing container. In further embodiments, the apparatus further includes a pair of rollers coupled to the mixing container configured to rotate the mixing container about the central axis. In further embodiments, the apparatus further includes a non-rotating disk coupled to the lid. In further embodiments, the non-rotating di