Overview of the German Gel Propulsion Technology Program

Kirchberger, Christoph; Ciezki, Helmut; Hürrtlen, J.; Schaller, Uwe; Weiser, Volker; Caldas-Pinto, P.; Ramsel, J.; Naumann, K. W.

doi:10.2514/6.2014-3794

Cited by 24 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…This figure indicates that under the mentioned test conditions, the L* value for liquid-liquid UDMH/IRFNA is lower (127 cm) than L* for the gel-gel state (162 cm). Regarding the rheological structure of gel propellants, atomization and combustion of gel propellants are more difficult than liquid propellants [10,12], thus gel combustion needs a higher residence time, that is a higher L*, which is in agreement with the experimental results. Figure 4 also shows that in a combustion chamber with a specified L*, as pressure of combustion chamber increased, the performance of gelled propellant tends to performance of its base liquid propellant.…”

Section: Liquid and Gel Cases Comparisonsupporting

confidence: 78%

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Experimental Investigation of Characteristic Length Influence on a Combustion Chamber Performance with Liquid and Gelled UDMH/IRFNA Bi‐Propellants

Moghaddam

Rezaei

Tavangar

2019

Propellants Explo Pyrotec

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Gel propulsion systems are of increasing interest due to their valuable energetic and safety considerations. In this paper, performance parameters of gelled UDMH/IRFNA bi‐propellant were compared with performance parameters of its liquid bi‐propellant. Fire tests were carried out with combustion chamber pressures of about 1 to 3 MPa and L* values of 89, 127 and 162 cm. The results showed that the suitable L* to obtain best performance for liquid UDMH/IRFNA combination at the mentioned conditions was 127 cm and for gelled UDMH/IRFNA bi‐propellant was 162 cm, although the increase in performance with an increase of L* from 127 to 162 cm for the gel was very low.

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Section: Liquid and Gel Cases Comparisonsupporting

confidence: 78%

“…Performance of gel propulsion systems is one of the most important issues which has been considered in the design and implementation of these systems [12,13]. Combustion chamber performance, which usually is shown with c* efficiency, is a parameter that influences on the overall performance of a rocket engine.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental Investigation of Characteristic Length Influence on a Combustion Chamber Performance with Liquid and Gelled UDMH/IRFNA Bi‐Propellants

Moghaddam

Rezaei

Tavangar

2019

Propellants Explo Pyrotec

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“…The compatibility and durability of the chamber materials with the hot and reactive combustion gases of a bipropellant gel system must be verified. CMC-based combustion chambers have been successfully deployed for monopropellant gels in the past (see, e.g., [94]). Here, innovative combustion chamber designs including novel approaches for cooling, the application of new materials and manufacturing methods, e.g., ultra-high temperature ceramic matrix composites (UHTCMC) and additive layer manufacturing (ALM), and their performance under application relevant conditions are investigated.…”

Section: Approach and Assumptionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Future Fuels—Analyses of the Future Prospects of Renewable Synthetic Fuels

et al. 2019

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The Future Fuels project combines research in several institutes of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) on the production and use of synthetic fuels for space, energy, transportation, and aviation. This article gives an overview of the research questions considered and results achieved so far and also provides insight into the multidimensional and interdisciplinary project approach. Various methods and models were used which are embedded in the research context and based on established approaches. The prospects for large-scale fuel production using renewable electricity and solar radiation played a key role in the project. Empirical and model-based investigations of the technological and cost-related aspects were supplemented by modelling of the integration into a future electricity system. The composition, properties, and the related performance and emissions of synthetic fuels play an important role both for potential oxygenated drop-in fuels in road transport and for the design and certification of alternative aviation fuels. In addition, possible green synthetic fuels as an alternative to highly toxic hydrazine were investigated with different tools and experiments using combustion chambers. The results provide new answers to many research questions. The experiences with the interdisciplinary approach of Future Fuels are relevant for the further development of research topics and co-operations in this field.Synthetic fuels based on renewable energies (RE) are widely seen as a key element to achieving climate-neutral transport (e.g., [1,2]). As liquid hydrocarbons have a high energy and power density, they are primarily discussed as fuels for (heavy) road vehicles, ships, and aircraft. Due to their low storage and transport losses, they are also conceivable as a complementary long-term electricity storage option [3]. The challenges of producing and implementing these fuels are manifold. Chemical processes and renewable electrical or thermal energy can be used to produce liquid hydrocarbons from various carbon sources and hydrogen (and sometimes oxygen). Synthetic fuels have several advantages: they can be easily integrated into our existing energy and mobility infrastructures, can be used in all areas of the transport sector, and they can be optimized with regard to their chemical properties. The main disadvantages are the high energy losses and production costs.In this research context, eleven research groups at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) are working together on the Future Fuels project on synthetic fuels. The aim of the interdisciplinary approach is to realize synergies and joint research activities, as well as new research impulses through different perspectives. The scientists and engineers are investigating how synthetic fuels can be produced using solar energy and electrolysis processes (Solar Fuels), and are developing concepts for the re-conversion of these fuels into electricity. They are working on emission-optimized fuels for transport and aviation (Designer Fuels), as well as advanced space ap...

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“…On the other hand, gelled propellants will not spill through leaks, will hardly slosh in the tank and have a reduced vapor pressure in comparison to their base-fluid. In this respect gel propellant engines behave like solid-propellant motors (Ciezki et al, 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental Study of Atomization by Impinging Jets of Liquid and Gelled Green Propellants

Dias¹,

Fischer²,

Costa³

2019

Proceedings of the 25th International Congress of Mechanical Engineering

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Gelled propellants are an interesting option for rockets and missiles propulsion systems, since they combine high performance with facility of handling and storage. These characteristics are due to the shear thinning non-Newtonian behavior of gels. High shear rates can lead to extensive liquefaction of gelled fluids. This liquefaction offers the possibility to develop engines that can be throttled like liquid propellant engines. Impinging jet injectors are commonly used in propulsion systems applications since they can be easily manufactured and can provide good atomization and mixing characteristics within a short distance. Green propellants represent a low toxicity and high performance alternative to the conventional hazardous propellants. This work compares analytical solutions with images of the sheet shapes formed by the impingement of two round jets of water, liquid hydrated ethanol and gelled hydrated ethanol. Breakup lengths and maximum widths of the sheet shapes are determined as function of the Reynolds number. The analytical plotted sheet shapes have shown good agreement with experimental data for water and liquid hydrated ethanol, but not for gelled hydrated ethanol. The aspect ratio was approximately constant, around 2, for water and liquid hydrated ethanol, while for gelled hydrated ethanol the breakup length increased exponentially and the aspect ratio increased linearly with Reynolds number.

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Overview of the German Gel Propulsion Technology Program

Cited by 24 publications

References 5 publications

Experimental Investigation of Characteristic Length Influence on a Combustion Chamber Performance with Liquid and Gelled UDMH/IRFNA Bi‐Propellants

Experimental Investigation of Characteristic Length Influence on a Combustion Chamber Performance with Liquid and Gelled UDMH/IRFNA Bi‐Propellants

Future Fuels—Analyses of the Future Prospects of Renewable Synthetic Fuels

Experimental Study of Atomization by Impinging Jets of Liquid and Gelled Green Propellants

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