Pollution Research Paper

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF SOLID ROCKET MOTOR EXHAUST

S.K. SAHU, S. JENA, R.A. RAJ AND R.B. PANDA

Abstract

Environmental impact assessment of solid rocket motor exhaust obtained due to mainly composite propellant combustion, have been highlighted. Exhaust product analysis has been carried out theoretically by computer software NASA CEC -71 to identify toxic emissions of rocket combustion. In the present study a high volume Air Samplers (APM-430) was deployed at predetermined locations near static test bed for collection of toxic exhausts using liquid absorbents during actual static rocket motor test. The collected samples were analyzed subsequently for quantitative estimation of suspended particulate matter (SPM), oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and oxides of sulphur (SOx) etc. with the help of a spectrophotometer. Theoretical exhaust product analysis has been compared with the actual field measurement data to ascertain environmental safety.