1. Resonant Acoustic Mixing Mix Process Scale Up
Distribution Statement A: Approved for Public Release, distribution unlimited
Resonant Acoustic Mixing Mix Process Scale Up
2018 CAD/PAD Technical Exchange Workshop

2. Resonant Acoustic Mixing
What is Resonant Acoustic Mixing (RAM)
Non-contact mixing
High intensity vibrations up to 100g to create highly efficient particle collisions and acoustic waves
Allows direct scalability from lab to production units
Bulk
Distributive Mixing
Intense
Dispersive Mixing
Resonant Acoustic Mixing: Shaking up the future of energetic mixing
Distribution Statement A: Approved for Public Release, distribution unlimited

3. NSWC IHEODTD RAM Overview
Two LabRAMs (500g capacity) operating
HTPB propellant and PBX formulations
Mixed in end units
Small rocket motor and grenade
Molding powder
Lacquer and full formulation
Coated RDX
Ignition delay formulation
Multiple R&D projects
Distribution Statement A: Approved for Public Release, distribution unlimited

4. NSWC IHEODTD RAM Overview
80-pound capacity
Approved for live operations January 31, 2018
Distribution Statement A: Approved for Public Release, distribution unlimited

5. LabRAM vs RAM-5 Mixing LabRAM Maximum mix size 500g
Often need to limit mix size further to reach higher accelerations (under-powered for 500g, high acceleration mixes)
Have used a variety of mix vessels based on mix size
RAM-5
Nominal 80 pound mix capacity
Currently have one mix vessel, but intent to be able to mix in variety of geometries
Mass/geometry effect on mixing?
Resodyn claims minimal changes to mix cycles to scale up
Previous LabRAM studies indicate geometry of mix affects mixing
Distribution Statement A: Approved for Public Release, distribution unlimited

6. LabRAM Mix Variable Study
In range studied (PBX simulant), viscosity and density of mix had negligible effect
Vacuum and mix mass had little effect
Resodyn states vacuum can significantly affect mixing
Geometry of mix is important
Diameter may not be important
Height of mix, L/d of mix, and/or “fill ratio” important (not independent enough to differentiate between them)
Factors to consider in scale-up to RAM-5
Reduced Model: Important Variables
Distribution Statement A: Approved for Public Release, distribution unlimited

7. LabRAM Mixing Temperature Rise vs. Mix Quality
Hypothesis: Energy input to mix should correlate to amount of mixing
Calculate power from RAM parameters
Total energy input to mix over full mix time
Measure from temperature rise– should be the same
Compare energy input/temperature to degree of mixing
Uncured areas
Can we use this in scale up?
Can do same calculation on RAM-5
Energy input per mass of mix?
Two-part premix, 500g, 27 minutes mixing
Final Temperature 65C
Distribution Statement A: Approved for Public Release, distribution unlimited

8. LabRAM Mixing Temperature Rise vs. Mix Quality
Well mixed PBXN-110
18 minutes total mixing
Final Mix Temp 75C
10.9 cal/g energy input
PBXN-110 with agglomerates
25 minutes total mixing
Final Mix Temp 50C
4.7 cal/g energy
Agglomerations
Uncured areas
Two-part premix, 500g, 10 minutes mixing
Final Temperature 44C
Poorly mixed N-60
Well mixed N-60
Two-part premix, 500g, 27 minutes mixing
Final Temperature 65C
Distribution Statement A: Approved for Public Release, distribution unlimited

9. NSWC IHEODTD RAM-5 Mixing
PBXN-110
6 mixes made
PBXN-110 Type 1 and Type 2
Used mix cycles from successful LabRAM 300g mixes
Tested for Lot Acceptance Testing
Meets requirements
Within historical norms
Material from Type 1 mix in aging for full qualification
RAM-5 PBXN-110
Distribution Statement A: Approved for Public Release, distribution unlimited

10. RAM-5 Mixing PBXN-110 on RAM-5: Energy input to mix Uncured areas Mix
eomT (⁰C)
Energy (cal/gr)
-007 40
8.0
Equipment delay between weighup and mix start
-008 53
11.4
agglomerates
-032^ 44
7.9
^stopped to view mix; mixed additional cycle
-032
50*
12.3
start of last cycle
-036 50
9.5
-037
-064 61
14.1
Very few agglomerates
63*
18.5
No agglomerates
*T = 48C at start of cycle
-008^
^Middle of E=9.5 cal/gr; for comparison to mixes -032, 036, 037
-064^ 51
Type 1 and Type 2 formulations
Mix sizes of lbs
Mix L/d of 0.8 to 1.3
Mix times 9-15 minutes
Uncured areas
Distribution Statement A: Approved for Public Release, distribution unlimited

11. RAM-5 Mixing Uncured areas
Acceleration and power input to mix for 3 80 pound mixes
Uncured areas
Mix size, formulation, addition sequence and acceleration setpoints were the same
Mix vacuum method different
Mix -032 started vacuum before starting cycle 2 (with mix at rest)
Mix -036 started vacuum at start of cycle 3, while mixing
Mix -037 started vacuum before cycle 3 (with mix at rest)
Two-part premix, 500g, 27 minutes mixing
Final Temperature 65C
Distribution Statement A: Approved for Public Release, distribution unlimited

12. RAM-5 Mixing
Some mixes had Class 2 CXM coat sides of vessel, esp larger mixes
Changing order of addition resolved issue
Uncured areas
Mix -036 after mixing
Two-part premix, 500g, 27 minutes mixing
Final Temperature 65C
Distribution Statement A: Approved for Public Release, distribution unlimited

13. NSWC IHEODTD RAM-5 Mixing
PBXN-9
1 mix made
Full spec analysis in progress
Same mix cycles used as in LabRAM
RAM-5 PBXN-9
Distribution Statement A: Approved for Public Release, distribution unlimited

14. RAM-5 Upcoming work HTPB Propellants BC-16; scale up 300g LabRAM mix
EC-10
Densified EC-10 with tungsten (potential)
Mix in motor case/unique geometry items
Distribution Statement A: Approved for Public Release, distribution unlimited