Theoretical Understanding of the Effects of High-density Energetic Particles on the Ramjet Performance

Sasi Kiran Palateerdham; Abdul Rahman; Antonella Ingenito; Sri Nithya Mahottamananda; Yash Pal

doi:10.6108/JPNE.2024.4.1.030

All Issue

2024 Vol.4, Issue 1 Preview Page Next Page

Theoretical Understanding of the Effects of High-density Energetic Particles on the Ramjet Performance

30 November 2024. pp. 30-41

PDF XML

Abstract

The performance of solid fuel ramjet engines depends on both the heat of reaction and density of the fuel, which are essential factors for optimizing specific impulse and density-specific impulse. Density-specific impulse is calculated as the product of fuel composition density and specific impulse, reflecting not only fuel efficiency but also volumetric considerations that influence vehicle design and aerodynamics. This effect on design is particularly relevant for the lift-to-drag ratio (L/D), which plays a crucial role in overall vehicle efficiency. Specific impulse increases with the square root of flame temperature, while density-specific impulse improves linearly with fuel density. Enhancing fuel density through the addition of energetic particles and metal additives can optimize volumetric performance, while specific impulse benefits from additives like CuO and PTFE, which increase combustion temperature. This study aims to enhance density-specific impulse in ramjet fuels by introducing high-energy metals, including aluminum (Al), boron (B), and magnesium (Mg), into an HTPB-based fuel matrix, with CuO and PTFE added to increase specific impulse. The performance characteristics of these solid fuel compositions were evaluated using NASA’s CEA code, providing a detailed comparison of the compositions and their impact on ramjet performance. The findings offer valuable insights into fuel formulation strategies that enhance both density-specific impulse and overall combustion efficiency, supporting the development of optimized solid fuels for ramjet applications.

Keywords

Ramjet engine

energetic particles

solid fuels

Additives

solid fuel combustion

References

Kadosh, H. and Natan, B., "internal ballistics of a boron-containing solid fuel ramjet", Combustion Science and Technology, Vol. 193, No. 15, pp. 2672-2691, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1080/00102202.2020.1755276

10.1080/00102202.2020.1755276

Li, L., Chen, X., Zhou, C., Li, W. and Zhu, M., "Experimental and Model Investigation on Agglomeration of Aluminized Fuel-Rich Propellant in Solid Fuel Ramjet", Combustion and Flame, Vol. 219, pp. 437-448, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.combustflame.2020.06.019

10.1016/j.combustflame.2020.06.019

Azevedo, V.A., Alves, I., Olexiy, S. and Alberto, C., "Experimental Investigation of High Regression Rate Paraffin for Solid Fuel Ramjet Propulsion", AIAA Propulsion and Energy 2019 Forum, 2019. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2019-3984

10.2514/6.2019-3984

Evans, J.V., Senior, W.C.B., Gejji, R.M. and Slabaugh, C.D., "Performance of a Solid-Fuel Ramjet Combustor with Bypass Air Addition", Journal of Propulsion and Power, pp. 1-9, 2022. https://doi.org/10.2514/1.b38788

10.2514/1.B38788

McDonald, B., Rice, J., Hayes, B., Marshall, C., Pledger, L., Myers, D. and Jones, D., "High Density Solid Fuel Ramjet Fuel Based on 1,6-Hexanediol Diglycidyl Ether and Methyltetrahydrophthalic Anhydride", Fuel, Vol. 278, p. 118354, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2020.118354

10.1016/j.fuel.2020.118354

Jung, W., Baek, S., Kwon, T., Park, J. and Kwon, S., "Ignition Test of Solid Fuel Ramjet Combustor", 52nd AIAA/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, 2016. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2016-4873

10.2514/6.2016-4873

Huang, S., Deng, S., Jiang, Y. and Zheng, X., "Experimental Effective Metal Oxides to Enhance Boron Combustion", Combustion and flame, Vol. 205, pp. 278-285, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.combustflame.2019.04.018

10.1016/j.combustflame.2019.04.018

Srinibas, K., Wang, N., Acharya, S. and Dooley, K.M. "Effects of Rare-Earth Oxide Catalysts on the Ignition and Combustion Characteristics of Boron Nanoparticles", Combustion and Flame, Vol. 160, No. 12, pp. 3004-3014, 2013. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.combustflame.2013.06.030

10.1016/j.combustflame.2013.06.030

Xi, J., Liu, J., Wang, Y., Hu, Y., Zhang, Y. and Zhou, J., "Metal Oxides as Catalysts for Boron Oxidation", Journal of Propulsion and Power, Vol. 30, No. 1, pp. 47-53, 2014. https://doi.org/10.2514/1.b35037

10.2514/1.B35037

Xu, P., Liu, J., Zhang, L., Yuan, J., Song, M. and Liu, H., "Composition of Solid and Gaseous Primary Combustion Products of Boron-Based Fuel-Rich Propellant," Acta Astronautica, Vol. 188, pp. 36-48, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2021.07.006

10.1016/j.actaastro.2021.07.006

Sandall, EricT., Kalman, J., Quigley, J.N., Munro, S. and Hedman, T.D., "A Study of Solid Ramjet Fuel Containing Boron-Magnesium Mixtures", Propulsion and Power Research, Vol. 6, No. 4, pp. 243-252, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jppr.2017.11.004

10.1016/j.jppr.2017.11.004

Yuan, J., Liu, J., Zhang, L., Xu, P., Chen, D. and Yang, W., "Combustion and Agglomeration Characteristics of Boron Particles in Boron-Containing Fuel-Rich Propellant", Combustion and Flame, Vol. 232, p. 111551, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.combustflame.2021.111551

10.1016/j.combustflame.2021.111551

Gobbo-Ferreira, J., Silva, M.G. and Carvalho, J.A., "Performance of an Experimental Polyethylene Solid Fuel Ramjet", Acta Astronautica, Vol. 45, No. 1, pp. 11-18, 1999. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0094-5765(99)00053-3

10.1016/S0094-5765(99)00053-3

Jung, W., Yun, Y., Kim, K.-S., Park, J. and Kwon, S., "Performance Evaluation of Ramjet Fuel Grains with Boron and Magnesium Additives", 2018 Joint Propulsion Conference, 2018. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2018-4873

10.2514/6.2018-4873

Yan, L., Zhu, B., Yan, X., Wang, W., Chen, J., Liu, J. and Sun, Y., "Study on Combustion Performance of Boron Powder Promoted by Nickel Oxide", Thermochimica Acta, Vol. 726, pp. 179558-179558, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tca.2023.179558

10.1016/j.tca.2023.179558

Deshmukh, P.R., Kim, Y. and Shin, W.G., "Ignition Performance of TiO2 Coated Boron Particles Using a Shock Tube", Ceramics International, Vol. 48, No. 5, pp. 6166-6176, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2021.11.156

10.1016/j.ceramint.2021.11.156

Liu, T., Chen, X., Han, A.J., Ye, M.Q. and Zhang, S.T., "Preparation and Properties of Boron-Based Nano-B/CuO Thermite", KnE Materials Science, Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 95-95, 2016. https://doi.org/10.18502/kms.v1i1.569

10.18502/kms.v1i1.569

Liang, D., Liu, J., Chen, B., Zhou, J. and Cen, K., "Improvement in Energy Release Properties of Boron-Based Propellant by Oxidant Coating", Thermochimica Acta, Vol. 638, pp. 58-68, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tca.2016.06.017

10.1016/j.tca.2016.06.017

Pelosi-Pinhas, D. and Gany, A., "Solid-Fuel Ramjet Regulation by Means of an Air-Division Valve", Journal of Propulsion and Power, Vol. 16, No. 6, pp. 1069-1074, 2000. https://doi.org/10.2514/2.5677

10.2514/2.5677

Pal, Y., Raja, A. and Gopalakrishnan, K., "Theoretical and Experimental Heat of Combustion Analysis of Paraffin-Based Fuels as Preburn Characterization for Hybrid Rocket", Journal of Aerospace Technology and Management, No. 12, 2020. https://doi.org/10.5028/jatm.v12.1180

10.5028/jatm.v12.1180

Yetter, R.A., Rabitz, H., Dryer, F.L., Brown, R.C. and Kolb, C.E., "Kinetics of High-Temperature B/O/H/c Chemistry", Combustion and Flame, Vol. 83, No. 1-2, pp. 43-62, 1991. https://doi.org/10.1016/0010-2180(91)90202-m

10.1016/0010-2180(91)90202-M

Information

Publisher :The Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers
Publisher(Ko) :한국추진공학회
Journal Title :Journal of Propulsion and Energy
Journal Title(Ko) :한국추진공학회 영문지
Volume : 4
No :1
Pages :30-41
Received Date : 2024-08-14
Revised Date : 2024-10-25
Accepted Date : 2024-11-05
DOI :https://doi.org/10.6108/JPNE.2024.4.1.030

Journal of Propulsion and Energy ISSN:2734-1887(Print) 2765-0049(Online) 한국추진공학회 영문지

All Issue