LOX/hydrocarbon combustion instability investigation. Final report

Technical Report · Sat Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1989

OSTI ID:7257487

Jensen, R J; Dodson, H C; Claflin, S E

The LOX/Hydrocarbon Combustion Instability Investigation Program was structured to determine if the use of light hydrocarbon combustion fuels with liquid oxygen (LOX) produces combustion performance and stability behavior similar to the LOX/hydrogen propellant combination. In particular methane was investigated to determine if that fuel can be rated for combustion instability using the same techniques as previously used for LOX/hydrogen. These techniques included fuel temperature ramping and stability bomb tests. The hot fire program probed the combustion behavior of methane from ambient to subambient temperatures. Very interesting results were obtained from this program that have potential importance to future LOX/methane development programs. A very thorough and carefully reasoned documentation of the experimental data obtained is contained. The hot fire test logic and the associated tests are discussed. Subscale performance and stability rating testing was accomplished using 40,000 lb. thrust class hardware. Stability rating tests used both bombs and fuel temperature ramping techniques. The test program was successful in generating data for the evaluation of the methane stability characteristics relative to hydrogen and to anchor stability models. Data correlations, performance analysis, stability analyses, and key stability margin enhancement parameters are discussed.

• Research Organization: Rockwell International Corp., Canoga Park, CA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7257487
• Report Number(s): N-90-13589; NASA-CR--182249; RI/RD--89-179; NAS--1.26:182249
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400800* -- Combustion
Pyrolysis
& High-Temperature Chemistry
ALKANES
CHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
COMBUSTION KINETICS
DOCUMENT TYPES
ELEMENTS
HEAT FLUX
HYDROCARBONS
INSTABILITY
KINETICS
METHANE
NONMETALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN
PERFORMANCE TESTING
PROGRESS REPORT
REACTION KINETICS
TESTING