Head: Dr.-Ing. Roland Pein
Since more than 20 years the laboratory is investigating combustion phenomena in solid fuel ramjets, scramjets, and ducted rockets. Especially the role of Physical Chemistry and Chemical Engineering methods is emphasized.
Theoretical research is conducted in the field of thermodynamic equilibrium and complex kinetics calculations for rocket and ramjet applications. Experimental work is done in the field of combustion of ducted rocket fuel rich propellant combustion in a high pressure bomb and in the field of chemical analysis of rocket and ramjet fuels, propellants, and combustion products.
The laboratory is well-equipped with all kinds of instrumental methods of chemical analysis , e.g. gas chromatography including pyrolysis gas chromatography, ICP-Atomic emission spectroscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, automatic titration, and thermal analysis. Wet chemical analysis of metal containing combustion products is done by sophisticated separation methods.
The laboratory is approved by the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce as location for professional education of chemistry laboratory assistants. This education is done in close cooperation with industry in the city of Heilbronn area.
Several guest scientists from foreign countries (USA, Russian Federation, India, etc. ) have visited the laboratory in order to conduct research in fields of common interest.