Evaluation of Liquid Propulsion System Design on Priming Event Pressure Levels

摘要

An undergraduate research program was performed to evaluate the transient pressure levels generated by the beginning of life priming event in both unrestricted and restricted liquid monopropellant propulsion systems. This was conducted through experimental testing using distilled water in an existing priming event water hammer setup. Multiple liquid propulsion systems were evaluated using numerous internal flow diameters, flow control valves, in-line restrictions, and pre-conditioned pressure levels in a ring shaped and non-ring shaped manifold. The goals of the research were to determine the influence of a flow restriction and liquid propulsion system design on the priming event peak pressure levels. Results on experimental peak pressure levels and recommendations on liquid propulsion system designs will be presented.