A Review of Test Medium Contamination Effects on Test Article Combustion Processes
Abstract
Aerospace systems currently in operation demonstrate that good, useful results can be obtained from ground testing in existing test facilities. One of the concerns with ground testing is that the thermochemical characteristics of the flight medium, the standard test medium, are different from the thermochemical characteristic of the ground test medium, a non-standard test medium, (NSTM). This paper is concerned with the effects on hypersonic air-breathing propulsion systems that may be a result of the method used to supply the energy necessary for simulation of hypersonic flight in the atmosphere. A review was begun of published results that address the effects of a NSTM on combustion in the test article. This paper documents the current understanding of the effects of available energy addition processes on the test medium and suggests an approach to make the best possible use of ground test facilities. A second paper is planned to address specific examples. Review of the literature shows that each case indifferent and must be analyzed individually. A second observation from the review is that all energy addition methods currently used to simulate hyper sonic atmospheric flight create a NSTM. The best solution to the problem of the question of NSTM effects is to be aware of the differences between the flight medium and the NSTM and to know how these differences affect the test results. The most detrimental situation is to be unaware of the differences in test media that affect the results of the test.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA345735
Entities
People
- D. W. Stallings
- E. S. Powell