Mass minimization approach for the optimal preliminary design of CMC inner liners in rocket thrust chambers

Abstract

In the past decade, the world has witnessed a new space race, driven by a growing commitment to reducing the environmental impact of space missions. This has led to the widespread adoption of liquid-propellant rocket engines, which offer several advantages over their solid-propellant counterparts. One key advantage is their reusability, which not only helps to reduce the generation of space debris but also makes space exploration cheaper. To further enhance the performance of liquid rocket engines, researchers have been exploring innovative cooling techniques and advanced materials. Among these materials, Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs) have shown great potential in reducing the overall engine weight when used instead of high-tech metal alloys, resulting in lower fuel consumption and emissions during launches. This paper focuses on the mass minimization of inner liners made of CMCs in rocket thrust chambers. At this aim, a computationally efficient preliminary design approach, based on an analytical one-dimensional thermo-mechanical model, is proposed. A case study of mass minimization of an inner liner of rocket thrust chamber is also presented and discussed, by considering five different CMC materials.