Spray Combustion of Rocket-Grade-Kerosene-Based Nanofluids with Oxygen

Abstract

The spray and spray combustion characteristics of rocket-grade kerosene (Isrosene) loaded with graphene nanoplatelets and aluminum nanoparticles are investigated in this study. A shear coaxial injector with recess was employed to generate the nanofluid spray flowing through the center orifice and 99.98% oxygen through the annular gap. The mass flow rate was maintained at for both the fuel and oxidizer streams, and the flame was nonconfined. Effect of nanoparticles on droplet size of the sprays, flame liftoff height, flame temperature, and CO emissions were measured. Droplet size measurement was conducted using a laser-based nonintrusive technique (MALVERN particle sizer). It was observed that for the same mass flow rates of the fuel and oxygen, the droplet size of the spray increased by 50% due to the addition of nanoparticles. The direct videography method was used to visualize the flame shape and size, and it was observed that the flame liftoff height decreased by 50 and 10% due to the addition of graphene and aluminum nanoparticles, respectively. The presence of nanoparticles enhanced the reaction rate, which was concluded based on the measurement of flame temperature and CO concentrations.