[SS-Propellant] Tucker/Rider method

[william colburn]

I did not vote for any method; I feel I am an observer
and not a participant in the PDT.

However I believe the methods may have been determined
based on ingenuity and not practicality.

This method for instance requires:

1. ingredient conditioning
2. blender
3. hopper
4. auger
5. heater
6. casting tube

A simpler method requires:

1. ingredient conditioning
2. blender
3. casting tube
4. heater

I note that of the two pieces missing in this method,
one is very complex (and therefore has that
engineering seduction about it) and has an inherent
risk of premature ignition. I would also suggest when
the powder is blended, that 3 to 5% water be added to
desensitize it to ESD or friction.

A cement mixer has external bearings and would be
satisfactory for this purpose and is less than 200
buckeroos at Harbor Freight.

BC

--- Rich Nakka <richnakka at rogers.com> wrote:

> This method, as I understand it, requires the 
> propellant to be  
> premixed in the powder form. Handling of powdered
> propellant (1000 lbs 
> of it needed), even if we keep the "lot" sizes
> small, has certain 
> inherent risks.
> An improvement to the method might be (as I
> mentioned in my comments), 
> instead of pouring premixed powder into the hopper,
> two separate hoppers 
> are used. One for milled KN and the other for
> powdered sorbitol. Some 
> kind of centifugal blender might be used to quickly
> get a good blend of 
> the two powders before entering into the auger. This
> would be similar to 
> the ubiquitous "coffee grinder" except that the
> products would not be 
> milled, only mixed, at high speed. Or...maybe milled
> at the same time to 
> eliminate this step?!
> 
> Richard
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