Engineering topics
Publications and source records attributed to Vanderwall, E. M..
Dilution of gelant vapor with inert carrier gas accomplishes gelation. Mixture is injected through heated tube and orifice into liquid methane for immediate condensation within bulk of liquid. Direct dispersion of particles in liquid avoids condensation on walls of vessel and eliminates additional mixing.
Technique eliminates hazards of handling propellants and permits determination of structure index of gel by remote control. Rheometer weighs cone of propellant gel which remains on a disc that has been slowly pulled out of the gel.
Coiled section of tubing measures viscous properties of gelled cryogenic propellants under conditions closely resembling flow in rocket engine systems. Characteristic flow curve provides data necessary for the design of prototype hardware systems using the liquid or gel of interest.