Propellant

Propellant is a chemical substance used in the production of energy or pressurized gas that is subsequently used to create movement of a vehicle, projectile, or other object. Common propellants are energetic materials and consist of a fuel, like gasoline, jet fuel and rocket fuel, and an oxidizer. Propellants are used in rockets, including spacecraft propulsion, as well as in a large number of applications such as in propellant charges in firearms, in jet engines, etc.

Types of Propellants

Propellants are classified according to their state - liquid, solid, and hybrid.

Liquid Propellants

Liquid propellants are substances that are used in liquid form to propel an object. They are used in liquid rocket engines where they are stored in separate containers prior to being mixed in the combustion chamber.

Solid Propellants

Solid propellants are substances where the fuel and oxidizer are mixed together and processed into a solid form to be used in solid rocket engines. Once ignited, a solid propellant is consumed at a steady rate that cannot be controlled or stopped until the fuel is exhausted.

Hybrid Propellants

Hybrid propellants are a type of rocket propellant that is composed of elements from both solid and liquid propellants. The fuel is typically a solid, while the oxidizer is typically a liquid.

Applications

Propellants are used in a variety of applications, including rocket propulsion, firearms, and jet engines. In each of these applications, the propellant is used to generate a high-pressure gas that is used to propel an object.

Safety and Environmental Considerations

The use of propellants can pose safety and environmental risks. These risks can be mitigated through proper handling and disposal of propellants.

See Also

• Rocket Propellant
• Gunpowder
• Jet Fuel

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