Popping Phenomena with the Hydrazine Nitrogen-Tetroxide Propellant System

The propellant spray resulting from the impingement of liquid jets of hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide has been studied at atmospheric pressure by means of streak photography. The streak photographs show periodic small explosions that originate near the impingement point and propagate through the propellant spray at velocities of 3000 to 5000 fps, consuming all propellant droplets over a distance of up to 6 in. Typical streak photographs are presented. The frequency of the explosions or pops ranged up to several hundred cps, and could be controlled by varying the contact time in the liquid phase. Below a minimum threshold contact time, popping did not take place. At high values of contact time, the popping rate was controlled by the transit time of the free jet before impingement. Flashing of the oxidizer prior to impingement prevented popping under certain conditions. It is postulated that popping is initiated by liquid phase reactions. A mechanism for the occurrence of popping and its relation to reactive stream separation is suggested.