PolyEthylene under Hybrid Propulsion Conditions

The inert and oxidative flash pyrolysis of High Density Poly-Ethylene (HDPE) is studied 6 up to 20 000 K.s, under pressure up to 3.0 MPa and at temperature ranging from 1000 K to 7 1500 K. These conditions are considered to represent those waited onboard a hybrid rocket 8 engine using HDPE as solid fuel. Recycling applications may also find some interest. The 9 pyrolysis products are quantified by Gas Chromatograph, Flame Ionisation Detector and 10 Mass Spectrometer to determine the effects of each physical parameter on the HDPE 11 decomposition. The classical products distribution diene-alkene-alkane for each carbon 12 atoms number is shown to be modified at such high temperature because of the pyrolysis of 13 primary products. The pressure effect, which is generally neglected in HDPE pyrolysis 14 studies found in open literature, is proved to be a major factor (up to one order of 15 magnitude on the ethylene mass fraction). The heating rate presents noticeable consequences 16 on the pyrolysis products distribution with a larger formation of light species while heavier 17 ones are favoured under oxidative pyrolysis conditions. The experimental data should serve 18 in the future to improve the accuracy of kinetic mechanisms for later use in numerical 19 computing and to serve in related combustion studies for propulsive applications. 20