Fuel Composition Analysis of Endothermically Heated JP-8 Fuel for Use in a Pulse Detonation Engine
Abstract
Waste heat from a pulse detonation engine (PDE) was extracted via zeolite catalyst coated concentric tube-counter flow heat exchangers to produce supercritical pyrolytic conditions for JP-8 fuel. A sampling system and method were developed that enabled samples of reacted fuel to be extracted during steady state operation. Samples were taken over a range of heat exchanger exit temperatures from 820 K (1016 F) to 940 K (1232 F). Offline analysis of liquid and vapor fuel samples indicated fuel decomposition via typical pyrolytic reaction pathways. The liquid analysis showed conversion of parent fuel components with formation of unsaturates (aromatics and alkenes) and smaller alkanes. The gaseous products consisted of predominantly C1-C3 alkanes and alkenes (> 75% of total vapor yield) with moderate amounts of hydrogen and C4-C6 alkanes and alkenes. The components that were present in the stressed fuel samples were more detonable and could be linked to improved PDE performance. The ignition time decreased by over 20% as temperature increased from 820 K (1016 F) to 935 K (1224 F) and by more than 30% when compared to unreacted (flash vaporized) JP-8.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA482863
Entities
People
- Eric A. Nagley
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology