[SS-Propellant] Modified Tucker/Rider method?

[Rich Nakka]

Greetings,
As I am sure you're all aware from my postings to the ss-main list, I 
have begun experimentation relating to the Krech/Nakka method. I"ll 
resume the experiments when I receive the vacuum pump that I ordered.

In the meantime, I've been thinking long & hard about the other method 
we will be investigating in detail, the Tucker/Rider method. (I'm sure 
the rest of you have been doing the same ;-) ), despite the lack of 
posting to the ss-propellant list.

In particular, a small modification to the concept. Instead of mixing 
dry sorbitol & dry KNO3, then heating/melting the combined mixture, why 
not steal a page from the Krech/Nakka method and use liquid (melted) 
sorbitol? Melt the sorbitol in a tank, then pour this into a batch mixer 
together with a metered amount of KNO3 powder. The auger would then mix 
(?) the two and add the heat needed to raise the temperature  (the KNO3 
presumably would be at room temperature initially).

Two unresolved issues (at least) as I see it:
1) how do we meter out exactly the right amount of sorbitol and KNO3 to 
give the 65/35 +/- allowable tolerance?
2) how does the auger actually mix the two? My experience with augers it 
that they are used for moving material, not mixing.

Comments, suggestions, solutions most welcome...!

Richard