A Hydrocarbon Fuel Flash Vaporization System for a Pulsed Detonation Engine

Abstract

Practical operation of pulsed detonation propulsion requires operation on kerosene-based jet fuels. These low vapor pressure fuels remain in liquid form at typical pulsed detonation inlet conditions and residence times, and the subsequent presence of fuel droplets significantly hinders performance. A fuel flash vaporization system (FVS) was designed and built to reduce evaporation time and provide gaseous fuel to the PDE. Four fuels that vary in volatility and octane number were tested: n-heptane, iso-octane, aviation gasoline, and JP-8. Results showed the FVS quickly provides a detonable mixture for all of the fuels tested without cooking the fuel lines. A significant result was the detonation of flash vaporized JP-8 in air without a pre-detonator.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 2006
Accession Number
ADA460539

Entities

People

  • Frederick R. Schauer
  • K. C. Tucker
  • Paul I. King

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Facilities
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Alkanes
  • Aviation Gasoline
  • Combustion
  • Critical Temperature
  • Endothermic Reactions
  • Fuel Injection
  • Fuel Injectors
  • Fuel Systems
  • High Pressure
  • Hydrocarbon Fuels
  • Hydrocarbons
  • Ignition
  • Turbines
  • Vapor Pressure

Readers

  • Combustion science or combustion engineering.
  • Petroleum Engineering
  • Rocket Propulsion.