Hydrocarbon Fuels Optimization
Abstract
Hydrocarbon fuel performance in rockets is systematically considered using standard equilibrium isentropic one-dimensional computer codes with a new web-based interface. For reference engine conditions the optimized specific impulse depends only upon the mass-normalized (specific) enthalpy content and the hydrogen-to-carbon ratio. In this context promising families of strained and unsaturated high-energy hydrocarbon fuels; with special emphasis upon those currently under development by in-house researchers; are insightfully compared and justified. A variety of simple; mission-tailored metrics approximating payload mass gains and the relative importance of fuel density are considered with special application to similar kerosene fuels. In this way it is possible to begin to simply; if approximately; quantify some of the performance trade-offs among the relevant liquid-fuel physical and chemical properties and to easily screen a great number of possible fuels as a foundation for calculations employing more sophisticated and realistic rocket models.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 15, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA410680
Entities
People
- Jeffrey D. Mills
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory