NON-CONTAMINATING COMBUSTION AIR HEATER FOR WIND TUNNELS

Abstract

An analysis of a wind tunnel combustion air heater that will provide uncontaminated air at temperatures above 4000 R is presented. Concept of the heater involves combustion of metals that yield oxides having melting temperatures above 4000 R. Heat is transferred to air from liquid metaloxide particles formed in a metal-oxygen combustor. The oxide particles solidify during the heat-transfer process and are separated from the air by centrifugal forces. A portion of the heated air is bled from the periphery of the separator to carry the oxide particles out of the wind tunnel air supply system. Calculations presented show that five-micron aluminum-oxide particles can be separated from high density air using a tangential velocity of 200 ft/sec in a centrifugal separator. Experimental research needed to verify results of the analyses are outlined.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 01, 1964
Accession Number
AD0451305

Entities

People

  • Robert O. Dietz Jr.

Organizations

  • Arnold Engineering Development Complex

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Heaters
  • Air Supplies
  • Aluminum Oxides
  • Chemical Reactions
  • Combustion
  • Combustion Products
  • Combustors
  • Energy Transfer
  • Engines
  • Fluids
  • Heat Transfer
  • Ignition
  • Metal Oxides
  • Metals
  • Particles
  • Wind Tunnels

Readers

  • Combustion and Flow Dynamics.
  • Fluid Dynamics.
  • Thin Film Deposition Science.