Thermal Simulation of a Pyrotechnic Solid-Propellant Gas Generator

The current work presents a numerical simulation of the thermal operation of a pyrotechnic solid propellant gas generator undergoing a tank test. The effect of several parameters on the thermal characteristics of the system under consideration is investigated. These parameters include heat loss to the ambient, heat transfer to the hardware elements of the present system, and ambient temperature. The question of the applicability of tank test results to auto airbag systems has been addressed. In the present work, it has been concluded that the thermal performance of present system is significantly sensitive to heat transfer to the tank wall and to the value of the ambient temperature.