Single element injector testing for STME injector technologyAn oxidizer-swirled coaxial element injector is being developed for application in the liquid oxygen/gaseous hydrogen Space Transportation Main Engine (STME) for the National Launch System (NLS) vehicle. This paper reports on the first two parts of a four part single injector element study for optimization of the STME injector design. Measurements of Rupe mixing efficiency and atomization characteristics are reported for single element versions of injection elements from two multielement injectors that have been recently hot fire tested. Rather than attempting to measure a definitive mixing efficiency or droplet size parameters of these injector elements, the purpose of these experiments was to provide a baseline comparison for evaluating future injector element design modifications. Hence, all the experiments reported here were conducted with cold flow simulants to nonflowing, ambient conditions. Mixing experiments were conducted with liquid/liquid simulants to provide economical trend data. Atomization experiments were conducted with liquid/gas simulants without backpressure. The results, despite significant differences from hot fire conditions, were found to relate to mixing and atomization parameters deduced from the hot fire testing, suggesting that these experiments are valid for trend analyses. Single element and subscale multielement hot fire testing will verify optimized designs before committing to fullscale fabrication.
Document ID
19920066247
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Hulka, J. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Schneider, J. A. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Davis, J. (Aerojet, Propulsion Div., Sacramento CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 15, 2013
Publication Date
July 1, 1992
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Report/Patent Number
AIAA PAPER 92-3281Report Number: AIAA PAPER 92-3281