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Full-Text Articles in Aerospace Engineering
Characteristics Of Rotating Detonation Engines For Propulsion And Power Generation, Robert Burke
Characteristics Of Rotating Detonation Engines For Propulsion And Power Generation, Robert Burke
Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-
Conventional engines are limited by the efficiency of their combustion mode. Compared to present constant pressure deflagration-based engines, detonation-based systems can realize a higher thermodynamic cycle efficiency, making them an attractive candidate for next generation propulsion systems that will take humanity to hypersonic speeds and even to Mars. For all its performance gains, detonation engines are still far off from implementation. One system, the rotating detonation engine (RDE) is promising as a detonation-based engine concept for its stability, simplicity, and versatility. For these reasons, RDEs have been the subject of studies internationally in efforts to understand their operation and integration …
Thrust Augmentation Of Rotating Detonation Rocket Engines, Alexander G. Rodriguez
Thrust Augmentation Of Rotating Detonation Rocket Engines, Alexander G. Rodriguez
Honors Undergraduate Theses
This thesis aims to perform a detailed analysis on a 5th Order Polynomial Nozzle, verifying its effectiveness in improving the thrust performance of a Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine. Rotating detonation engines are a promising engine type that uses detonations as a means of combustion rather than traditional conflagration. Through this method, these engines can produce significant amounts of energy while burning less fuel in the process. However, exhaust flow instabilities and swirl limit the engine's potential for use as a means of propulsion. The 5th Order Polynomial Nozzle was previously demonstrated to reduce and control this swirl; however, analysis was …
Exploration Of Shock-Droplet Ignition And Combustion, John Patten
Exploration Of Shock-Droplet Ignition And Combustion, John Patten
Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-
Liquid fuels are desirable in aerospace applications due to their higher energy density when compared to gaseous fuels. With the advent of detonation-based engines, it is necessary to characterize and analyze how liquid fuel interacts with detonation waves as well as shocks to ignite. While liquid fuel sprays have been proven to successfully aid and sustain detonations, the physical mechanism by which the individual liquid droplets accomplish this is yet to be understood. Such knowledge allows for more predictable detonation properties, which in turn can let detonation-based engines be sustained more easily. This research seeks to quantify and characterize interactions …
Extreme-Pressure Ignition Studies Of Methane And Natural Gas With Co2 With Applications In Rockets And Gas Turbines, Cory Kinney
Extreme-Pressure Ignition Studies Of Methane And Natural Gas With Co2 With Applications In Rockets And Gas Turbines, Cory Kinney
Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-
Although concerns about carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and their impact on climate change has led to an increase in renewable energy electricity generation, natural gas power plants remain the dominant source of electricity generation in the United States. Until the capacity of renewable energy sources can meet growing electricity demand, natural gas power generation will likely remain an important source of electricity generation. Supercritical CO2 (sCO2) power generation cycles offer an alternative to traditional gas turbines by reusing and sequestering CO2 from the combustion process to prevent its release into the atmosphere. This study seeks to understand natural gas ignition …
Analysis Of Nozzle Expansion Characteristics In Supersonic Retro-Propulsion, Gonzalo Montoya
Analysis Of Nozzle Expansion Characteristics In Supersonic Retro-Propulsion, Gonzalo Montoya
Honors Undergraduate Theses
Supersonic retro-propulsion (SRP) is defined as rocket propulsion used to decelerate aerospace vehicles at supersonic speed. SRP is often used as a method of high-speed deceleration on space vehicles. The main method of propulsion used in the application of SRP is rocket propulsion. Rocket engine thrust and performance changes with altitude and expansion ratio. Changing altitudes across the trajectory of a rocket affect how the exhaust plume shock waves expand. Being able to identify how different expansion ratios affect the exhaust plume flow fields would provide useful data on how SRP performance can be predicted. This research projects aims at …
On Liquid Rotating Detonation Rocket Engines Characterization And Performance, Vidhan Malik
On Liquid Rotating Detonation Rocket Engines Characterization And Performance, Vidhan Malik
Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-
The current research investigates a next-generation method of combustion called detonations for propulsive applications which has support from the Combustion Services Branch at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) of the Rocket Propulsion Division. The overall initiative seeks to explore the viability of detonation-based systems to augment or replace current rocket propulsion methods in the coming five years. The present work progresses this vision by providing proof of a liquid RP-2 based Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine (RDRE) as well as the fundamentals associated with the physics involved to further the understanding of the phenomenon and its potential uses. Phase one …