Effect of Chemical Reaction Suppression

Potassium salts are known to act as suppressants of spontaneous igmtion of hydrocarbon flames arising from interdiffusion with ambient air. It has been reported that potassium salts act to retard the chemical reaction in the flames of nitropolymer propellants. Two types of potassium salts used as plume suppressants are potassium mtrate (KNO3) and potassium sulfate (K2SO4). The concentration of the salts is varied to determine their region of effectiveness as plume suppressants. 

2 % K2SO4. This temperature decrease is sufficient to inhibit ignition of the inter-diffused mixture of exhaust gas and ambient air, thereby preventing the generation of a secondary flame. 

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