Supersonic combustion of thermally cracked kerosene was experimentally investigated in two model supersonic combustors with different entry cross-section areas. Effects of entry static pressure, entry Mach number, combustor entry geometry, and injection scheme on combustor performance were systematically investigated and discussed based on the measured static pressure distribution and specific thrust increment due to combustion. In addition, the methodology for characterizing flow rate and composition of cracked kerosene was detailed. Using a pulsed Schlieren system, the interaction of supercritical and cracked kerosene jet plumes with a Mach 2.5 crossflow was also visualized at different injection temperatures. The present experimental results suggest that the use of a higher combustor entry Mach number as well as a larger combustor duct height would suppress the boundary layer separation near the combustor entrance and avoid the problem of inlet un-start.
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