Effect of gas reservoir extending on the ballistic characteristics of single-stage compressed gas setups

In this study, we analyzed the effect of the degree of a gas reservoir extending on the output velocity of a body during its acceleration in a barrel by a compressed gas. The simulation was performed using quasi-one-dimensional and two-dimensional axisymmetric gas-dynamic models. Models are validated based on experimental results. The use of a wider reservoir with the same volume and initial pressure is shown to allow increasing the efficiency by 25%. The significant effect of air compression in front of a light projectile under supersonic conditions on its speed is demonstrated. Accounting for air compression in front of the projectile was performed using an approximate formula, which showed good results compared to the two-dimensional model. The effect of accelerating a light projectile due to the expulsion of an air column through the muzzle was revealed.