A Theoretical Investigation of a Method of Increasing the Performance of Rocket Propellants for Use in Torpedoes by the Injection of Water

Citation

Olsen, Leslie Richard (1946) A Theoretical Investigation of a Method of Increasing the Performance of Rocket Propellants for Use in Torpedoes by the Injection of Water. Engineer's thesis, California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/JQ1R-6A08. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-12222008-142415

Abstract

In this report it is shown that water injection into the rocket motor of a rocket propelled torpedo increases the range at a given speed. For a 5000 lb. torpedo having a 1750 lb. warhead, the use of a hydrogen peroxide-nitromethane-water combination yields a range about 50 percent above that which would be obtained by the use of nitromethane or of acid-aniline propellants.

Theoretically, the use of water injection increases the specific thrust, i.e., thrust per unit mass rate of flow of propellant carried. The specific thrust is increases by water injection up to 18.5 percent for nitromethane and up to 89.1 percent for liquid oxygen and octane; the specific thrust for acid and aniline, at a mixture ratio of 3, is increases up to 27.1%.

Data calculated from experimental work in connection with gas generation has shown that the increase of specific thrust for nitromethane is up to about 11.7% at L* = 868; the specific thrust measured in connection with gas generation work using acid and aniline, at a mixture ratio of 3, is increased 24.8%.

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