Analysis of the Use of a Methane Propellant in a Biowaste Resistojet

Abstract

An engineering model resistojet has been developed by NASA for possible space station applications that will operate on a variety of waste gases, including methane. This investigation develops a computer program using the principles of laminar flow heat transfer to simulate operation of the resistojet heat exchanger. The principles of chemical kinetics are used to determine how carbon deposits from methane decomposition in the heat exchanger. The results of the program show a wide variation in deposition versus operational pressure, power, and methane mass flow rate.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 1990
Accession Number
ADA220475

Entities

People

  • John A. Vise

Organizations

  • Air Force Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Alkanes
  • Chemical Kinetics
  • Chemical Reactions
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Computer Programs
  • Decomposition
  • Engineering
  • Flow Rate
  • Fluid Flow
  • Heat Exchangers
  • Heat Transfer
  • Kinetic Energy
  • Kinetics
  • Laminar Flow
  • Physical Properties
  • Thermal Conductivity

Fields of Study

  • Engineering

Readers

  • Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy Engineering.
  • Microwave Engineering.
  • Rocket Propulsion.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster
  • Space - Satellites