Characteristics of Soot and Radiation of Post Combustion Simulated Gas from a Gas Generator

Abstract

It is necessary to install a specific burner system to burn out fuel-rich post combustion gas produced from a gas generator in a rocket engine when the performance of gas generator is separately evaluated in a test facility. Because of the fuel-rich reburning conditions, the burner still emits a significant amount of soot and produces thermal radiation. In this study, a laboratory-scale coflow diffusion burner was developed to examine the effects of fuel composition in combustion products on the soot emission and radiation behavior. The post combustion gas was simulated by adding carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide to two different base fuels: kerosene vapor and ethylene. The radiation flux sensor and laser extinction apparatus were used to measure the radiation intensity and soot emission, respectively, within a flame. The flame length and temperature were measured to examine the combustion behavior of each sooting flame having a strong radiation. Finally, the relationship between soot emission and radiation intensity was proposed based on all the experimental data.