The Impact of Nanocarbon Powder on the Characteristics of a Gel Propellant System with a High Concentration of Aluminum

The addition of aluminum particles to a gel propellant has garnered attention through its potential for enhancing fuel properties. In order to enhance the energy performance of gel propellants, it is imperative to prepare gel propellants with high concentrations of aluminum. However, high-concentration aluminum-containing gels encounter two challenges. First, the combustion process leads to the agglomeration of aluminum particles, resulting in incomplete combustion. Additionally, elevated concentrations of aluminum particles increase the viscosity of the gel, impeding its atomization process and, subsequently, affecting combustion efficiency. These aforementioned issues pose practical obstacles for the application of high-concentration aluminum-containing gel propellants. In this research, a high-concentration aluminum-containing gel formulation was supplemented with nanocarbon powder. By investigating the impact of nanocarbon on various properties of the gel, its potential for addressing the above issues was analyzed. The investigation into the combustion performance of aluminum-containing gel blended with carbon powder revealed that the addition of 10 wt % nanocarbon powder to the gel system leads to a significant increase in the volumetric calorific value of the gel propellant by 21.21%. This enhancement not only improves the energy performance but also addresses the issue of incomplete combustion associated with aluminum. The rheology experiments conducted on gels demonstrate that the addition of nanocarbon powder results in an increased viscosity of the gel at lower shear rates, thereby enhancing its ability to withstand external disturbances during storage. Furthermore, this incorporation also enhances the gel's shear thinning properties, leading to a significant reduction in viscosity at higher shear rates and facilitating easier atomization of the gel system. In summary, the incorporation of nanocarbon powder can optimize the storage, atomization, and combustion processes of the gel, offering a straightforward and efficient approach to enhance the practical performance of metallized gel propellants.