Manufacturing brick using waste rocket propellant: thermal insulation improvement through eco-friendly disposal

Abstract

Waste propellant impregnated fire clay brick is investigated for variation in thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity and specific heat of sample, for different propellant percentage, temperature sweep and propellant percentage. Propellant quantities of 0.0%, 2.5%, 5.0% and 7.5% by weight is added to the green mix of brick and baking in horizontal and vertical direction is carried out for samples made to the size of diameter 12.6+0.1 mm and thickness 2-3 mm. Temperature sweep from 30oC to 100oC is carried out for characterization of brick for thermal diffusivity and specific heat, by using laser flash technique. Higher propellant impregnation by weight results in lowering of thermal diffusivity, enhanced specific heat and reduction in thermal conductivity. Vertical baking results in better thermal insulation properties than horizontal insulation for the same 7.5% propellant impregnated bricks. The thermal conductivity from an average value of 0.7 W/mK for reference brick is observed. 7.5% propellant impregnation by weight in brick may result in thermal conductivity of less than 0.5 W/mK during vertical baking. This substantial reduction definitely leads to an insulating solution to construction, with an ecofriendly disposal solution.