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At least 199 records · Page 11

Effect of Cavity Injection on Wall Drag in a Supersonic Flow with Reflecting Shocks

The wall drag test tunnel at NASA Langley Research Center was used to evaluate simulated scramjet fuel injection into a wall cavity. In this tunnel, one wall consists of interchangeable aluminum plates attached to an air bearing suspension system. The plates were equipped with load cells to measure drag forces and static taps to determine pressure distributions. The plates were exposed to a Mach 2 air stream at a total pressure of 115 psia (793 kPa). This flow field contained a train of weak unsteady, reflecting shock waves that were produced in the nozzle assembly located upstream of the test section.

Castiglone, L. A.↗

Ignition System for Gaseous Propellants

Installation of spark plug in fuel-injection manifold of coaxial injector promotes more efficient cooling of combustor walls in rocket and turbine engines. After ignition occurs in fuel injector, combustion maintained in cooled main combustor leaving spark-plug tip in cool, clean environment. Eighteen tests have proven this injector design; no ignition failures occurred in 8,000 seconds of operation with gaseous oxygen and hydrogen. System also used with other propellants gaseous in ignition phase.

Pieron, R. A.↗

Combustion chamber heat transfer characterization of LOX/hydrocarbon-type propellants

The gas-side heat transfer rates for LOX/propane and LOX/ethanol are experimentally characterized using a 1000 lb thrust water-cooled calorimeter chamber. The effects of injector element type and fuel film cooling are defined as a function of mixture ratio. The interaction of fuel injected through the resonator cavities on heat transfer and wall soot buildup are displayed as a function of time, axial distance, fuel coolant flow rate, and mixture ratio. Comparisons between clean-burning ethanol and sooting propane show a large difference between the two fuels and significantly higher than expected heat flux levels for ethanol in the throat region.

Schoenman, Leonard↗

Model Of Turbulent Gas Eddies Containing Drops

Report proposes development of mathematical model of turbulent eddy of gas containing drops of liquid fuel. Closely related to those described in "Turbulence and Evaporation in Clusters of Drops" (NPO-17323) and "Effects of Turbulence on Ignition" (NPO-17335). Goal to initiate development of theory of interactions of several eddies containing drops during evaporation, ignition, and combustion of liquid fuels injected into combustors. Numerical results of analysis given as plot of nondimensionalized evaporation time versus initial ratio of air mass to fuel mass.

Bellan, Josette↗

Computational and Experimental Characterization of the Mach 6 Facility Nozzle Flow for the Enhanced Injection and Mixing Project at NASA Langley Research Center

Computational fluid dynamics analyses and experimental data are presented for the Mach 6 facility nozzle used in the Arc-Heated Scramjet Test Facility for the Enhanced Injection and Mixing Project (EIMP). This project, conducted at the NASA Langley Research Center, aims to investigate supersonic combustion ramjet (scramjet) fuel injection and mixing physics relevant to flight Mach numbers greater than 8. The EIMP experiments use a two-dimensional Mach 6 facility nozzle to provide the high-speed air simulating the combustor entrance flow of a scramjet engine. Of interest are the physical extent and the thermodynamic properties of the core flow at the nozzle exit plane. The detailed characterization of this flow is obtained from three-dimensional, viscous, Reynolds-averaged simulations. Thermodynamic nonequilibrium effects are also investigated. The simulations are compared with the available experimental data, which includes wall static pressures as well as in-stream static pressure, pitot pressure and total temperature obtained via in-stream probes positioned just downstream of the nozzle exit plane.

Drozda, Tomasz G.↗

Effect of vane twist on the performance of dome swirlers for gas turbine airblast atomizers

For advanced gas turbine engines, two combustor systems, the lean premixed/prevaporized (LPP) and the rich burn/quick quench/lean burn (RQL) offer great potential for reducing NO(x) emissions. An important consideration for either concept is the development of an advanced fuel injection system that will provide a stable, efficient, and very uniform combustion system over a wide operating range. High-shear airblast fuel injectors for gas turbine combustors have exhibited superior atomization and mixing compared with pressure-atomizing fuel injectors. This improved mixing has lowered NO(x) emissions and the pattern factor, and has enabled combustors to alternate fuels while maintaining a stable, efficient combustion system. The performance of high-shear airblast fuel injectors is highly dependent on the design of the dome swirl vanes. The type of swirl vanes most widely used in gas turbine combustors are usually flat for ease of manufacture, but vanes with curvature will, in general, give superior aerodynamic performance. The design and performance of high-turning, low-loss curved dome swirl vanes with twist along the span are investigated. The twist induces a secondary vortex flow pattern which will improve the atomization of the fuel, thereby producing a more uniform fuel-air distribution. This uniform distribution will increase combustion efficiency while lowering NO(x) emissions. A systematic swirl vane design system is presented based on one-, two-, and three-dimensional flowfield calculations, with variations in vane-turning angle, rate of turning, vane solidity, and vane twist as design parameters.

Micklow, Gerald J.↗

Effect of vane twist on the performance of dome swirlers for gas turbine airblast atomizers

For advanced gas turbine engines, two combustor systems, the lean premixed/prevaporized (LPP) and the rich burn/quick quench/lean burn (RQL) offer great potential for reducing NO(x) emissions. An important consideration for either concept is the development of an advanced fuel injection system that will provide a stable, efficient, and very uniform combustion system over a wide operating range. High-shear airblast fuel injectors for gas turbine combustors have exhibited superior atomization and mixing compared with pressure-atomizing fuel injectors. This improved mixing has lowered NO(x) emissions and the pattern factor, and has enabled combustors to alternate fuels while maintaining a stable, efficient combustion system. The performance of high-shear airblast fuel injectors is highly dependent on the design of the dome swirl vanes. The type of swirl vanes most widely used in gas turbine combustors are usually flat for ease of manufacture, but vanes with curvature will, in general, give superior aerodynamic performance. The design and performance of high-turning, low-loss curved dome swirl vanes with twist along the span are investigated. The twist induces a secondary vortex flow pattern which will improve the atomization of the fuel, thereby producing a more uniform fuel-air distribution. This uniform distribution will increase combustion efficiency while lowering NO(x) emissions. A systematic swirl vane design system is presented based on one-, two-, and three-dimensional flowfield calculations, with variations in vane-turning angle, rate of turning, vane solidity, and vane twist as design parameters.

Micklow, Gerald J.↗

Some Effects of Air Flow on the Penetration and Distribution of Oil Sprays

Tests were made to determine the effects of air flow on the characteristics of fuel sprays from fuel injection valves. Curves and photographs are presented showing the airflow throughout the chamber and the effects of the air flow on the fuel spray characteristics. It was found that the moving air had little effect on the spray penetration except with the 0.006 inch orifice. The moving air did, however, affect the oil particles on the outside of the spray cone. After spray cut-off, the air flow rapidly distributed the atomized fuel throughout the spray chamber.

Rothrock, A M↗

Spontaneous Ignition of Hydrothermal Flames in Supercritical Ethanol Water Solutions

Results are reported from recent tests where hydrothermal flames spontaneously ignited in a Supercritical Water Oxidation (SCWO) Test Cell. Hydrothermal flames are generally categorized as flames that occur when appropriate concentrations of fuel and oxidizer are present in supercritical water (SCW); i.e., water at conditions above its critical point (218 atm and 374 C). A co-flow injector was used to inject fuel, comprising an aqueous solution of 30-vol to 50-vol ethanol, and air into a reactor held at constant pressure and filled with supercritical water at approximately 240 atm and 425 C. Hydrothermal flames auto-ignited and quickly stabilized as either laminar or turbulent diffusion flames, depending on the injection velocities and test cell conditions. Two orthogonal views, one of which provided a backlit shadowgraphic image, provided visual observations. Optical emission measurements of the steady state flame were made over a spectral range spanning the ultraviolet (UV) to the near infrared (NIR) using a high-resolution, high-dynamic-range spectrometer. Depending on the fuel air flow ratios varying degrees of sooting were observed and are qualitatively compared using light absorption comparisons from backlit images.

hydrothermal flame↗

Improving the performance of a compression ignition engine by directing flow of inlet air

The object of this report is to present the results of tests performed by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics to determine the effect on engine performance of directing the flow of the inlet air to a 5-inch by 7-inch cylinder, solid injection, compression ignition engine, After a few preliminary tests, comparative runs were made at a speed of 1500 r.p.m. with and without directed air flow. It was found that directing the flow of the inlet air toward the fuel injection valve gave steadier engine operation, and an appreciable increase in power, and decreased fuel consumption. The results indicate the possibility of improving the performance of a given type of combustion chamber without changing its shape and with no change in valve timing. They would also seem to prove that directional turbulence, set up before the inlet valve of a four-stroke cycle engine, continues in the engine cylinder throughout the compression stroke.

Kemper, Carlton↗

A Preliminary Study of Flame Propagation in a Spark-ignition Engine

The N.A.C.A. combustion apparatus was altered to operate as a fuel-injection, spark-ignition engine, and a preliminary study was made of the combustion of gasoline-air mixtures at various air-fuel ratios. Air-fuel ratios ranging from 10 to 21.6 were investigated. Records from an optical indicator and films from a high-speed motion-picture camera were the chief sources of data. Schlieren photography was used for an additional study. The results show that the altered combustion apparatus has characteristics similar to those of a conventional spark-ignition engine and should be useful in studying phenomena in spark-ignition engines. The photographs show the flame front to be irregularly shaped rather than uniformly curved. With a theoretically correct mixture the reaction, as indicated by the photographs, is not completed in the flame front but continues for some time after the combustion front has traversed the mixture.

Rothrock, A M↗

Laser-Based Diagnostic Measurements of Low Emissions Combustor Concepts

This presentation provides a summary of primarily laser-based measurement techniques we use at NASA Glenn Research Center to characterize fuel injection, fuel/air mixing, and combustion. The report highlights using Planar Laser-Induced Fluorescence, Particle Image Velocimetry, and Phase Doppler Interferometry to obtain fuel injector patternation, fuel and air velocities, and fuel drop sizes and turbulence intensities during combustion. We also present a brief comparison between combustors burning standard JP-8 Jet fuel and an alternative fuels. For this comparison, we used flame chemiluminescence and high speed imaging.

Hicks, Yolanda R.↗

Effects of air injection on a turbocharged Teledyne Continental Motors TSIO-360-C engine

Results are presented for tests performed to assess the effects of exhaust manifold injection air flow rate on emissions and on exhaust gas temperature and turbine inlet temperature for a range of engine operating conditions (speed, torque, and fuel-air ratios) of a fuel-injected turbocharged six-cylinder air-cooled Teledyne Continental Motors TSIO-360-C engine. Air injection into the exhaust gas at 80 F resulted in a decrease in hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide while exceeding the maximum recommended turbine inlet temperature of 1650 F at the full rich mixture of the engine. The EPA standards could be met within present turbine inlet temperature limits using commercially available air pumps, provided that the fuel-air ratios were leaned in the taxi, climb, and approach modes.

Cosgrove, D. V.↗

Further shock tunnel studies of scramjet phenomena

Scramjet phenomena were studied using the shock tunnel T3 at the Australian National University. Simple two dimensional models were used with a combination of wall and central injectors. Silane as an additive to hydrogen fuel was studied over a range of temperatures and pressures to evaluate its effect as an ignition aid. The film cooling effect of surface injected hydrogen was measured over a wide range of equivalence. Heat transfer measurements without injection were repeated to confirm previous indications of heating rates lower than simple flat plate predictions for laminar boundary layers in equilibrium flow. The previous results were reproduced and the discrepancies are discussed in terms of the model geometry and departures of the flow from equilibrium. In the thrust producing mode, attempts were made to increase specific impulse with wall injection. Some preliminary tests were also performed on shock induced ignition, to investigate the possibility in flight of injecting fuel upstream of the combustion chamber, where it could mix but not burn.

Morgan, R. G.↗

Performance characteristics of LOX-H2, tangential-entry, swirl-coaxial, rocket injectors

Development of a high performing swirl-coaxial injector requires an understanding of fundamental performance characteristics. This paper addresses the findings of studies on cold flow atomic characterizations which provided information on the influence of fluid properties and element operating conditions on the produced droplet sprays. These findings are applied to actual rocket conditions. The performance characteristics of swirl-coaxial injection elements under multi-element hot-fire conditions were obtained by analysis of combustion performance data from three separate test series. The injection elements are described and test results are analyzed using multi-variable linear regression. A direct comparison of test results indicated that reduced fuel injection velocity improved injection element performance through improved propellant mixing.

Howell, Doug↗

Effect of Transpiration Injection on Skin Friction in an Internal Supersonic Flow

An experimental program was conducted at NASA Langley Research Center that included development and evaluation of an operational facility for wall drag measurement of potential scramjet fuel injection or wall cooling configurations. The facility consisted of a supersonic tunnel, with one wall composed of a series of interchangeable aluminum plates attached to an air bearing suspension system. The system was equipped with load cells that measured drag forces of 115 psia (793 kPa). This flow field contained a train of weak, unsteady, reflecting shock waves that were produced in the Mach 2 nozzle flows, the effect of reflecting shocks (which are to be expected in scramjet combustors) in internal flows has not previously been documented.

Castiglone, L. A.↗

Development of a Pressure-Fed Rocket Engine Using Hydrogen Peroxide and JP-8

A pressure-fed rocket engine using hydrogen peroxide and JP-8 was designed and demonstrated for upper stage space transportation applications. The engine utilizes silver plated screen catalyst to decompose 85% hydrogen peroxide (by weight). The decomposed high-temperature gas causes the JP-8 to auto-ignite and undergo chemical reaction. An ablative chamber using silica phenolic was used as the combustion chamber. The present effort includes catalyst development, injector evaluation, and chamber char and erosion characterization. Wagonwheel-type distribution and support plates were used in the catalyst bed design to reduce pressure drop, to increase active area, and to avoid flow channeling. Various fuel injection and mixing approaches were investigated and the combustion efficiency was in the range from 89 to 98%, depending on injector design and operating conditions. Fuel film cooling, up to 40% of the total fuel flow, was found to be ineffective with the current engine configuration. A ring injector was selected because of the satisfactory performance and its low cost. The char and erosion rates were determined through hot-fire tests. The char depth was found to be a function of axial distance, which was related to the progress of chemical reaction. Correlation of the char and erosion rates was developed as a design database for future applications,

Wu, P.-K.↗