Development of an Optimized Induction Melting System for Fabricating Paraffin Fuel Grains for Hybrid Rocket Propulsion

Abstract

This work reports the development of an induction melting system for producing paraffin-based fuel units for hybrid rockets. The system is based in oscillating low-frequency magnetic field to generate heat within the material, enabling a precise temperature control through an on/off process. Additionally, the steel used as the material for fabricating the mold facilitates a slow cooling rate, leading to the formation of homogeneous paraffin fuel units free from cracks and microfractures, which is a critical requirement for their safe application in hybrid rockets and to ensure an efficient fuel combustion. The fabricated paraffin fuel units underwent rigorous characterization of their thermal, structural, and optical properties to ensure their suitability as fuel units in a hybrid rocket engine developed for the Mexican Cabo Tuna space program.

Keywords

• Paraffins
• Magnetic induction heating
• Induction systems
• Propellant grains
• Hybrid propellant rocket engines