Hostname: page-component-7b7567c8c-7pwfn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2026-11-12T13:05:59.175Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Combustion instability in a small liquid rocket motor

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 July 2016

A. Osherov and
B. Natan
A. Osherov
Affiliation:
Faculty of Aerospace EngineeringTechnion – Israel Institute of TechnologyHaifa, Israel
B. Natan
Affiliation:
Faculty of Aerospace EngineeringTechnion – Israel Institute of TechnologyHaifa, Israel
Get accessRights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

An experimental investigation of high frequency combustion instability in a liquid rocket engine of 3kN thrust was conducted. The diagnostic method of detecting combustion instability was based on the measurement of the dynamic pressure following an artificial disturbance in the combustion chamber. Test data spectral analysis was performed by using the stochastic vibration data processing method. Although the engine has demonstrated an absence of tendency to spontaneous instability, insufficient stability of the original engine design was evident during tests with artificial triggers. A Helmholtz type resonator in form of partitioned cavities tuned to a few different, close frequencies was designed and installed in the combustion chamber wall to avoid spontaneous or triggered combustion instability. The experimental results from hot tests with artificial triggers confirmed the high efficiency of the applied acoustic resonator.

Information

Type
Research Article
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , Volume 103 , Issue 1023 , May 1999, pp. 245 - 252
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 1999 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Article purchase

Temporarily unavailable

References

1. Crocco, L. and Cheng, S. Theory of combustion instability in liquid propellant motors, AGARDO Graph No 8, Butterworths Scientific Publications, 1956.Google Scholar
2. Liquid Propellant Rocket Combustion Instability. Harrje, D.T. (Ed), NASA SP-194, Washington, 1972.Google Scholar
3. Liquid Rocket Engine Combustion Instability, Yang, V. and Anderson, W.E. (Eds), Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics, (169), AIAA, New York.Google Scholar
4. Combustion Instability In Liquid Rocket Engines. Schöyer, H.F.R. (Ed), ESA WPP-062, European Space Agency, Noordwijk, 1993.Google Scholar
5. Culick, F.E.C. Combustion instabilities in liquid-fueled propulsion systems — an Overview, AGARD Conference Proceedings No 450, 1988.Google Scholar
6. Oefelein, J.C. and Yang, V. Comprehensive review of liquid-propellant combustion instabilities in F-l engines, J Propulsion Power, Sep-Oct 1993, 9, (5), pp 657–665.Google Scholar
7. Culick, F.E.C. and Yang, V. Overview of combustion instabilities in liquid propellant rocket engines, Liquid Rocket Engine Combustion Instability, Yang, V. and Anderson, W.E. (Eds), Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics, (169), AIAA, New York, pp 3–37.Google Scholar
8. Crocco, L. and Sirignano, W.A. Behavior of supercritical nozzles oscillatory conditions, Agardograph No 117, 1967.Google Scholar
9. Zinn, B.T. and Crocco, L. Periodic finite-amplitude oscillations in slowly converging nozzles, Acta Astronautica, 1968, 13, pp 481–487.Google Scholar
10. Zinn, B.T., Bell, W.A., Daniel, B. R. and Smith, A.J. Experimental determination of three-dimensional liquid rocket nozzle admittances, AIAA J, May-June 1973, 11, (3) pp 267–272.Google Scholar
11. Zinn, B.T. and Savell, C.T. A theoretical study of three-dimensional combustion instability in liquid-propellant rocket engines, 12th Symposium (International) on Combustion, 1968, pp 139–147.Google Scholar
12. Fang, J. Application of combustion time-lag theory to combustion stability analysis of liquid and gaseous propellant rocket engines, AIAA 82-0359, AIAA 22nd Aerospace Science Meeting, Jan 1984, Reno, NV.Google Scholar
13. Mitchell, C.E. Analytical models for combustion instability, in Liquid Rocket Engine Combustion Instability, Yang, V. and Anderson, W.E. (Eds), Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics, (169), AIAA, New York, pp 403–430.Google Scholar
14. Zinn, B.T. and Power, E.A. Nonlinear combustion instability in liquid- propellant rocket engines, 13th Symposium (International) on Combustion, 1971, pp 491–503.Google Scholar
15. Culick, F.E.C. Nonlinear behavior of acoustic waves in combustion chambers - I and II, Acta Astronautica, Sept-Oct 1976, 3, (9-10), pp 715–757.Google Scholar
16. Yang, V. and Culick, F.E.C. On the existence and stability of limit cycles for transverse acoustic oscillations in a cylindrical combustion chamber. 1: Standing modes. Comb Sci Tech, Jan 1990, 72, (1), pp 37–65.Google Scholar
17. Kim, Y.M., Chen, C.P., Ziebarth, J.P. and Chen, Y.S. Prediction of high frequency combustion instability in liquid propellant rocket engines, AIAA 92-3763, 28th Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit, July 1992, Nashville, TN.Google Scholar
18. Yang, V., Wicker, J.M. and Myong, W. Y., Acoustic waves in combustion chambers, in Liquid Rocket Engine Combustion Instability, Yang, V. and Anderson, W.E. (Eds), Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics, (169), AIAA, New York, pp 357–375.Google Scholar
19. Jahnke, C.C. and Culick, F.E.C. An application of dynamical systems theory to nonlinear combustion instability, J Propulsion and Power, July-August 1994, 10, (4), pp 508–517.Google Scholar
20. Priem, R.J. and Breisacher, K., Engineering methods (experimental), in Combustion Instability in Liquid Rocket Engines, Schoyer, H.F.R. (Ed), ESA WPP-062, European Space Agency, Noordwijk, 1993.Google Scholar
21. Dessornes, O. Test set-up and instrumentation, in Combustion Instability in Liquid Rocket Engines, Schoyer, H.F.R. (Ed), ESA WPP-062, European Space Agency, Noordwijk, 1993.Google Scholar
22. Gadiot, G.M.H.J.L. and Gany, A. Ejecta pulsing: a parametric study, La Recherch Aerospatiale, 1992, (3), pp 55–65.Google Scholar
23. Combs, L.P., Oberg, C.L., Coultas, T.A. and Evers, W.H. Liquid Rocket Engine Combustion Stabilisation Devices, Keller, R.B. (Ed), NASA SP-8113, Cleveland, 1974.Google Scholar
24. Mitchell, C.E. Preventing and suppressing combustion instability, passive and active means, In: Combustion Instability in Liquid Rocket Engines, Schoyer, H.F.R. (Ed), ESA WPP-062, European Space Agency, Noordwijk, 1993.Google Scholar
25. Reardon, F.H., McBride, J.M. and Smith, A.J. Effect of injection distribution on combustion stability, AIAA J, May-June 1966, 4, (3), pp 506–512.Google Scholar
26. Priem, R.J. and Breisacher, K. Preventing and suppressing combustion instability, injector design, In: Combustion Instability in Liquid Rocket Engines, Schoyer, H.F.R. (Ed), ESA WPP-062, European Space Agency, Noordwijk, 1993.Google Scholar
27. Laudein, E., Pongratz, R., Pierro, R. and Preclik, D. Experimental procedures aiding the design of acoustic cavities, in Liquid Rocket Engine Combustion Instability, Yang, V. and Anderson, W.E. (Eds), Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics, (169), AIAA, New York, pp 377–399.Google Scholar
28. Oberg, C.L., Wong, T.L. and Ford, W.M. Evaluation of Acoustic Cavities for Combustion Stabilisation, NASA CR-115087, Rocketdyne Div, North American Rockwell, 1971.Google Scholar
29. Oberg, C.L. Combustion stabilisation with acoustic cavities, J Space craft Rockets, December 1971, 8, (12), pp 1220–1225.Google Scholar
30. Acker, T. and Mitchell, C. Combustion zone - acoustic cavity interactions in rocket combustors, J Propulsion Power, March-April 1994, 10, (2), pp 235–243.Google Scholar
31. Priem, R.J. and Rice, E.J. Combustion instability with finite Mach number flow and acoustic liners, NASA TMX-52412, 1968.Google Scholar
32. Oberg, C.L. and Kuluva, N.M. Analysis of the F-l acoustic liner, J Spacecraft Rockets, November 1971, 8, (11), pp 1138–1143.Google Scholar
33. Melchior, A. A new bi-propellant rocket engine for orbital maneuvering, AIAA 90-2052, 26th Joint Propulsion Conference, July 1990, Orlando.Google Scholar
34. Crone, C. and Stechman, C., Combustion Instability in Small Earth Storable Bi-Propellant Rocket Engines, Kaiser Marquart, Van Nuys, CA, 1993.Google Scholar
35. Rubinsky, V.R. Combustion instability in the RD-0110 engine, in Liquid Rocket Engine Combustion Instability, Yang, V. and Anderson, W.E. (Eds), Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics, (169), AIAA, New York, pp 89–112.Google Scholar