Operation of a liquid-fueled and valveless pulse detonation rocket engine at high frequency

Abstract

To increase the operating frequency and enhance the propulsive performance of a pulse detonation rocket engine (PDRE), a valveless mode with the purge gas based on liquid fuel was developed. Liquid gasoline, oxygen-enriched air, and nitrogen were utilized as fuel, oxidizer, and purge gas respectively. Supply of these propellants was controlled by the periodic pressure oscillations in the detonation tube. The purge gas with the highest supply pressure was filled into the detonation tube first. The fuel and oxidizer were injected after the inner pressure decaying to a relatively low level. This delay and the vaporization of the liquid fuel prevented pre-ignition of the fresh detonable mixture. The PDRE can work stably from 10Hz to 160Hz in this scheme. Fully-developed detonation waves were proved to be obtained successfully at a maximum frequency of 130Hz. Both oxygen volume fraction and supply pressure of the purge gas were tested to determine the limits for stable operation. The propulsive performance of a practical PDRE at a wide operating frequency range was also tested and the maximum thrust was obtained at 140Hz. Compared to the results without purge gas, introduction of a purge gas extends the ranges of supply pressure and operating frequency.