Operating characteristics of a hydrogen-argon plasma torch for supersonic combustion applications

Journal Article · Sat Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1989 · J. Propul. Pow.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2514/3.23126· OSTI ID:6269233

Barbi, E; Mahan, J R; O'brien, W F; Wagner, T C

The residence time of the combustible mixture in the combustion chamber of a scramjet engine is much less than the time normally required for complete combustion. Hydrogen and hydrocarbon fuels require an ignition source under conditions typically found in a scramjet combustor. Analytical studies indicate that the presence of hydrogen atoms should greatly reduce the ignition delay in this environment. Because hydrogen plasmas are prolific sources of hydrogen atoms, a low-power, uncooled hydrogen plasma torch has been built and tested to evaluate its potential as a possible flame holder for supersonic combustion. The torch was found to be unstable when operated on pure hydrogen; however, stable operation could be obtained by using argon as a body gas and mixing in the desired amount of hydrogen. The stability limits of the torch are delineated and its electrical and thermal behavior documented. An average torch thermal efficiency of around 88 percent is demonstrated. 10 references.

• Research Organization: Societe Nationale Industrielle Aerospatiale, Marignane (France); Aerospatiale, Marignane (France); Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State Univ., Blacksburg (USA); United Technologies Research Center, East Hartford, CT (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6269233
• Journal Information: J. Propul. Pow.; (United States), Vol. 5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
COMBUSTION
SUPERSONIC FLOW
RAMJET ENGINES
COMBUSTION CHAMBERS
ANALYTICAL SOLUTION
ATOMS
EFFICIENCY
FUELS
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN
IGNITION
MIXTURES
OPERATION
PLASMA
THERMODYNAMICS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DISPERSIONS
ELEMENTS
ENGINES
FLUID FLOW
HEAT ENGINES
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
NONMETALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDATION
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
330100* - Internal Combustion Engines