Transcritical diffuse-interface hydrodynamics of propellants in high-pressure combustors of chemical propulsion systems

It was realized earlier that chemical propulsion systems utilize fuel very inefficiently, which greatly limits their lifespan. Electric propulsion is into existence to overcome this limitation of chemical propulsion. The magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thruster is presently the most powerful form of electromagnetic propulsion. It is the thruster’s ability to efficiently convert MW of electric power into thrust which gives this technology a potential to perform several orbital as well as deep space missions. MPD thruster offers distinct advantages over conventional types of propulsion for several mission applications with its high specific impulse and exhaust velocities. However, MPD thruster has limitations which limits its operational efficiency and lifetime. In this paper, the thruster limitations are reviewed with respect to three operational limits i.e., the onset phenomenon, cathode lifetime, and thruster overfed limits. The dependence and effects of the operational limits on each other is compared using different empirical models to derive a scaling factor that has been found for each geometrical arrangement; a limiting value exists beyond which the operation becomes highly unsteady and electrode erosion occurs. Along with reviewing and proposing methods to overcome power limitations for MPD thrusters, the relation between exit velocity and ratio of electrode’s radius is also verified using Maecker’s formula.

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A2 Development and prospect of micro chemical propulsion systems

The Proceedings of the Space Engineering Conference ◽

10.1299/jsmesec.2002.10.7 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 2002.10 (0) ◽

pp. 7-8

Author(s):

Koji Takahashi ◽

Yasuhiko Osaki ◽

Tetsushi Achiwa ◽

Kunihito Nagayama

Keyword(s):

Propulsion Systems ◽

Chemical Propulsion

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Advances in Modeling Supercritical Fluid Behavior and Combustion in High-Pressure Propulsion Systems

AIAA Scitech 2019 Forum ◽

10.2514/6.2019-0634 ◽

2019 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Joseph C. Oefelein

Keyword(s):

High Pressure ◽

Supercritical Fluid ◽

Propulsion Systems ◽

Fluid Behavior

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Propulsion Machinery of the “Koeln” Class Escort Frigates With Special Consideration of Gas Turbine Propulsion

ASME 1965 Gas Turbine Conference and Products Show ◽

10.1115/65-gtp-11 ◽

1965 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

K. H. Kurzak ◽

H. Reuter

Keyword(s):

High Pressure ◽

Diesel Engine ◽

Gas Turbine ◽

High Speed ◽

High Performance ◽

Space Structure ◽

Propulsion Systems ◽

Design Work ◽

High Speed Diesel ◽

Advanced Development

The Koeln Class escort frigates represents the first larger type of vessel built for the German Federal Navy. The design work dates back as far as 1955–1956. In view of the planned operational use of the ships an extremely light construction of the propulsion machinery with a long operating range was required. Furthermore, combat safety required an appropriate space structure of the propulsion machinery. For this purpose various propulsion systems were examined at the time, e.g., steam-turbine and diesel-engine propulsion, and a comparison was made between direct and electrical output transmissions. The advanced development of gas-turbine technique in connection with the introduction of high pressure-charged, high-speed diesel engines together with the development of high-performance, variable-pitch propellers led to a design which, compared with other types of propulsion, proved to be extremely advantageous not only with regard to the standard displacement of the vessel but, because of the low fuel consumption, also to the displacement of the fully equipped ship (1, 2).

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