Testing of the N₂O/HDPE Vortex Flow Pancake Hybrid Rocket Engine with Augmented Spark Igniter

Abstract

The paper is part of the research aimed at determining if the vortex flow pancake (VFP) hybrid rocket engine is feasible as green in-space chemical propulsion. The objective of this study is to test an N2O/HDPE VFP hybrid ignited with N2O/C3H8 torch igniter. The N2O is used in self-pressurizing mode, which results in two-phase flow and varying inlet conditions, thus better simulating real in-space behavior. The study begins with characterizing the torch igniter, followed by hot-fire ignition tests of the VFP. The results allow for the improved design of the torch igniter and VFP hybrid. The axial regression rate ballistic coefficients are reported for the N2O/HDPE propellants in the VFP configuration.

Keywords

• vortex flow pancake
• hybrid rocket engine
• torch igniter
• augmented spark igniter
• nitrous oxide
• propane