Evaluation of the possibilities of adapting a constant volume combustion chamber for research on ignition of hypergolic propellants under low and high-pressure conditions

• Main Authors: Maciej KRZESICKI, Łukasz BORUC, Łukasz Jan KAPUSTA
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Polskie Towarzystwo Naukowe Silników Spalinowych/Polish Scientific Society of Combustion Engines 2018-05-01
• Series: Combustion Engines
• Subjects: hypergolic ignition; hypergolic propellant; ignition delay; drop test; constant volume combustion chamber
• Online Access: http://www.journalssystem.com/cen/,116162,0,2.html

In this study, the adaptation possibilities of a constant volume combustion chamber (CVCC) for research on the ignition of hypergolic propellants are presented. The application of hypergolic bipropellants and crucial parameters regarding their ignition behaviour are discussed. The initial studies on ignition delay measurements presented here does not cover the whole range of conditions present in practical systems where hypergolic ignition occurs. In the study, a need for an evaluation of the influence of pressure on the ignition delay was indicated as the reason to conduct research on hypergolic ignition in low and high-pressure environments. Moreover, the study reviews the state-of-the-art experimental methods of investigating the ignition under atmospheric, low and high-pressure conditions, including those utilizing a constant volume combustion chamber. The drop test was pointed out as the most commonly used method; this makes it advantageous in terms of comparing the results with those obtained by other researchers. Therefore, the drop test was selected as a method to be used in a CVCC. The test rig developed here was designed based on a CVCC initially designed for diesel sprays’ visualization in high-pressure conditions. All the required modifications, especially the design of the oxidizer dosing unit, are presented in the study.