A STUDY OF IGNITION PRESSURE SPIKING IN ATTITUDE CONTROL ENGINES VOLUME I EVALUATION OF THE USE OF CATALYTIC SURFACES TO ELIMINATE IGNITION PRESSURE SPIKING

摘要

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect on ignition pressure spik¬ing of the incorporation of catalytic surfaces into the injector of a nominally 91-pound-thrust Apollo Command Module RCS engine. Test firings at a simulated altitude of 150,000 feet over a range of propellant and chamber temperatures (0 to 160 F) and a range of relative valve timings (+20 to -20 milliseconds) with both blank (unmodified) and catalytically modified splash plate injectors were made for N2O4/MMH, N204/50-50, and N2O4,/N2H4 propellant combinations. It was determined that the catalytic concepts employed did not eliminate or supress the spiking. Effects on spiking levels of propellant combination, temperature, and valve timing were noted and are discussed.