The Effect of Rocket Fuel Ratios on Burn Rate

Overview

Objectives/Goals The objective of this experiment is to analyze the combustion rates of several ratios of procket fuel and oxidizer, to see which one had the fastest burn rate. Methods/Materials Basic homemade rocket casings, potassium nitrate and sugar, and an ignition switch was used to burn five different ratios of fuel. While volumes differed slightly, density of the different rockets were kept constant. The burn time in cm3 per second was determined for each ratio, and analyzed on a graph. Results The mixture with the most rapid burn rate was determined to be about 35% sugar and 65% potassium nitrate. However, the burn rate did not decrease equally in both directions of this median. The ratios with excess oxidizer burned faster in comparison to the ratios with excess fuel. Conclusions/Discussion This ratio, although found with Potassium Nitrate as the oxidizer and sugar as the fuel, can be applied to many other concepts, because the same rough ratios applies to similar fuels, including the one used in the solid boosters of the space shuttle. Furthermore, by knowing the correct ratio, the termperature, pressure, and length of the reaction can be found, and used to calculate the most efficient rocket nozzle design for that fuel.

Competition history

• CSEF 2015 Chemistry · Entry S0602

Resources

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