Abstract

for paper

Liquid

submitted

Methane/Liquid

for presentation

Oxygen

at 2000

Injectors

AIAA

for Potential

Huu Phuoc
NASA/Marshall

Joint Propulsion
Future

Mars

Conference

Ascent

Engines

Trinh

Space

Huntsville,

Flight

Center

Alabama

Introduction
Preliminary
Marshall

mission

Space

studies

Flight

for human

Center

exploration

(MSFC).

These

of Mars ) have been

studies

indicate

performed

that for chemical

at
rockets

only a cryogenic
propulsion
system would provide high enough performance
to be
considered
for a Mars ascent vehicle. Although
the mission is possible with Earth-supplied
propellants
would

for this vehicle,

significantly

the mission
vehicle(s)

several

(LOX)

is the primary

methane
MSFC

(CH4),
initiated

the Mars

described

methane

Mars

reliability,
subject

here:

Engine

and thermal

combustion

MSFC.

materials

will address

the results

in a modular

windows.

A series

conditions

with the chamber

1.5 to 3.5, were

chamber

length

performed.

tests,

has

Liquid

oxygen

include

is the

high efficiency,

objective,

hot-fire

tests of the

light-weight

covered

injector

were

tested

equipped
a wide

study
under

conducted

with optically
range

its effects

a variation

at

combustion

of engine

320 to 510 and the mixture

also included

of investigating

program

for

concepts.

(MCTA),
from

system

for a LOX/liquid

including

methane/LOX

which

The test matrix

for the purpose

Center

propulsion

concepts

configurations

varied

launch

fuel candidates

on light-weight,

to the main

ignition

test article

pressure

plants.

for a cryogenic

key technologies

of the liquid

of forty hot-fire

In-situ

injection

In addition

combustor

Space

production

with an emphasis

injector

the cost of

One part of this technology

and advanced

A total of four impinging

conditions

program

to test other

Consequently,

(CH3OH).

of propellant

compatibility.

This option

and size of the Earth

NASA/Johnson

oxidizer.

in 1998.

(MAE)

will be used

chamber

This paper

mission

vehicles.

propellant

and methanol

an evaluation

Ascent

decrease.

development

is highly attractive.

the number

for an in-situ

(C2H4),

exploration

injectors

would

candidate

a technology

human

because

studies t2) ofin-situ

ethylene

propellants

mass of launch

reduced

for the mission

concept

of in-situ

the overall

be greatly

needed

initiated

effort

reduce

would

utilization

accessible
operating

ratio

from

in the combustion

on the combustion

performance

and stability.
MAE
1) Baseline Engine
The goal of this project
propulsion
(MSR)

system

is to provide

that will meet

mission ). The original

lniector

the injector

the requirements

intention

Desb, n
technology

for developing

of the planned

was to offer a mission

Mars
option

a cryogenic

sample

return

that incorporates

in-

situ propellantproductionandutilizationfor the ascentstage.Suchanoption hasbeen

carefullyconsideredasa subscaleprecursorto a future humanmissionto Mars.A
propulsionsystemstudytS)conductedatMSFC hasshownthat a pressure-fedsystemis
suitablefor a cryogenicascentstagefor the MSR mission.Thissystemwasselected
basedon severalfactorsincludingweightminimization,packagingefficiency,and
operationalsimplicity. While a regulatedpressurizationsystemis plannedfor the firststageof the Mars AscentVehicle,a blow-downpressurizationsystemis baselinedfor the
second-stage.
Table1 summarizeskeyMAE operatingconditionsderivedfromthe MSFCsystemstudy.
The injectortechnologyprogramusesthe datashownin the third columnasbaseline
designconditions. The lastcolumnof Table1 showsa rangeof operatingconditionsfor
the blow-down situation.Both the LOX (Peritieal=731 psia) and liquid methane (Pcritical=668
psia) are in the subcritical

pressure

regime

throughout

the expected

range

of chamber

pressures.
2) Injector

Configurations

Jet impinging
engines.

injectors

have commonly

For small rocket

employed.

Typically

like-on-like

impingement

arrangement,

they provide

which

configuration,

engines,

higher

performance

was introduced
in Figure

in LOX/liquid

and unlike-impinging

and shower-head.

as shown

the only difference

been used

triplet

by Pavli, _6)has been selected

oxidizer

orifice

configuration

resembles

the injector
doublet

may result

this situation,

face as (F-O)

region

as shown

(F-O-F)

for reducing

configuration.

between

in Figure

the

is suitable

for the

At first glance,

elements

and (O-F).

This
impinger;

are arranged

However,

on

this unlike-

the two injection

2, are oriented

this

elements.

on the injector

and (F-O).

the MAE

designed

is relatively

and fabricated.

and high performance

to optimize

elements

in an oxygen-rich

the elemefits,

Because

order

(F-O)

such as

as the baseline.

This arrangement

if two unlike-doublet
position,

are widely

(F-O-O-F)

triplet

on the split-triplet

as an alternative

the split-triplet,

face with a back-to-back

grouping

To avoid

was selected

rocket

configurations

a split-triplet

1, is similar to a conventional

is an additional

(F-O)

than other

In this study,

disparity between
the fuel and oxidizer orifice sizes.
MAE since the baseline O/F mixture ratio is 3.
An unlike-doublet

hydrocarbon
configurations

small, full-size

Injectors
while

were designed

ensuring

the manifold

are equally

distributed

injectors

thermal

system

(2.4-inches

to achieve

compatibility

and assure

the objectives
and combustion

a uniform

in the circumferential

in diameter)

mass distribution,

direction.

have been

of light weight
stability.

In

the injection

For the split-triplet,

only

a single ring of injection elements fit into the injector. On the other hand, two rings of
unlike impinging elements fit in the injector face. In all cases the outermost
ring of orifices
injects

fuel in order

to prevent

A total of ten versions

fabricated.

Variations

an oxygen-rich

of the two basic

in the impinging

environment

injector
height,

configurations
impinging

near the chamber

angle,

were designed
orifice

walls.
and

size, and injection

elementarrangement,as shownin Table2, areutilized in theseinjectorfacedesigns.For

the unlike doubletinjectors(F-O-F-O), anoxygen-richconditionmayexist at the
centerlineregionof the injector face. To minimizethiscondition,the fuel orificeson the
inner elementring arecantedat ananglein the radialdirection(Figure2). This
orientationpermitsfuel to penetrateinto the coreregionto provideadditionalpropellant
mixing. Severalcant angles,aslistedin Table 2, were also incorporated
in the design.
Although
labeled

ten injector

in Table 2, were tested

3) Combustion
A reduction
pressure
desire

requirement

which

Pavli's

while

keeping

addition,

and cause

pressure

only the injector

combustion

acoustic

fluctuation

1) Test Hardware
The test hardware

weight

face will result

the overall

stability.

sizes were

ratio very close

cavity

includes

cooling

consists

modules,

tuning

blocks

selected
have

may violate

the

at optimum

oxygen

may be installed

into other
by inserting

a window
optical

non-intrusive
module,

torch

to accommodate

module

optical

system.

blank

modules

covered
The chamber

Article

(MCTA),

section

contains

of the 4-inch

and the

drilled

diameter

diagnostics.

for photographing

There

transducers

The length

injection

passages
chamber

and an igniter/instrumentation
are several

is used for a conventional

of various

of an annular

Test

to the chamber

Pressure

in this module.

consists

throat
portion

one of which

igniter

two

The MCTA,
as shown in Figure 3, is
of several modules, which are held

access

ports

In

Facility

The copper

provides

mixing.

conditions.

Combustion

The cylindrical

including

or for performing

assembly

The

to be similar to the fuel orifices,

been designed

and

Modular

tie rods.
water.

module

hydrogen/gaseous

The injector

AP values

to the values

Hardware

the MSFC

in the igniter/instrumentation

can be altered

weight.

to provide

instabilities.

orifice

by four high-strength

the flowfield

system

with the need

Lower

was less than 3% for all testing

The window

tank

cavity sizes, 0.5" and 1" in depth. The test series

for the cases with and without the tuning blocks.

for counterflowing
of several

in a lower

propulsion

must be balanced

injector hardware
built specifically
for this program.
a "workhorse"
combustion
chamber.
It is composed

module.

10, as

sized primarily based on combustion

stability considerations.
To size
correlation t7) has been employed
to scale injector configurations

their momentum
acoustic
conditions

an injector

combustion

Test

together

# 1, 2, 6, and

in this paper,

in turn will reduce

system

data. t6) Oxidizer

several

quarter-wave
combustion

(AP) across

AP to ensure

Injector orifices were

fuel orifices, Hewitt's
from

designed,

and reported

drop

propulsion

injector

margin

were

Instability
in pressure

to reduce

adequate
chug

configurations

ports

gaseous

and thermocouples

of the combustion

chamber

lengths.
ring, an acoustic

cavity

tuning

block,

and a main injector.

Nitrogen
was used as a film coolant along the chamber wall through
a series of small orifices in the annular injection ring. A space between the annular
injection

ring and the main injector

stability.

Different

cavity

will serve

configurations

as an acoustic

can be tested

cavity

by changing

to enhance
tuning

combustion

blocks.

The

maininjector will flow liquid methaneandliquid oxygeninto the combustionchamber.

The injector face,which is madeof copper,is brazedto a manifoldthathasseveral
concentricchannelsto distributethe propellants.
2) Test Facility
Injector

testing

was conducted

air test position

systems,
house

includes

and cameras
lasers,

provides

computers,

LOX

having

High

pressure

gases

and nitrogen)
cooling

combustion

gallon

of conditions

are available
throat

at 3000

propellants

Preliminary
A total of forty
in this project.

hot-fire

tests on four

The test matrix

was not any indication

showed

Combustion
reductions
Raman

efficiency

provided
of the subject

of the test results

scattering

The results

signals

showed

psi.

Liquid

fuel run

(helium

De-ionized

for

3000

water

psi tank.

combustion

successfully

as shown

faces. Preliminary

under

is ranged

all operating

from

conducted

in Table
data

3. There
reduction

conditions.

92% to 110%.

Detailed

data

an excimer

laser.

are underway.

of the combustion

that the species

of the measurement.
In addition
record visuals of the combustion
propellant

For the MAE

and pressurization

were

test conditions

injectors

115.

of Results

on the injector

stable

to the test article.

up to 3000

and hydrogen).

configurations

various

This trailer

A foam-insulated

from a 500 gallon,

injector

covered

is used to

in this test program.

for purging

Assessment

of the overheating

that the injectors

vessel.

(oxygen

is supplied

acquisition

equipment.

at Test Stand

psi was used

This open-

A semi-trailer

run tank at pressures

on the test stand

section

film.

in close proximity

vacuum-jacketed

of 20 gallon

East Test Area.

and digital data

diagnostics

for the equipment

at a variety

and for igniter

the MCTA

analog

and high-speed

from a 500 gallon

in a 2200

a capacity

115 in MSFC's

system,

video

and other

is supplied

is stored

tank

Stand

control

environment

can be provided

program,
methane

a digital

for recording

a controlled

Propellants

at Test

species

were measured

concentration

was uniformly

using
distributed

to the laser diagnostic,

an infrared
flow field. These images depicted

jets and the circulation

in the injector

camera
clearly

in the region
was used to
the injection

face region.

Acknowledgments
The author

would

and contractors
the technical
have
facility

Finally,

injectors

to the design

the hot-fire
designs.

cold-flow

Dr. Joseph

The hot-fire

Lee and her test team

and to perform
conducted

the contributions

of John Cramer.

their efforts

Cynthia

for the MAE

have

on this project.
consultation

dedicated

hardware.

like to acknowledge

tests,

Wehrmeyer

tests.

David

Hissam,

Kevin

and fabrication
have labored
Marvin
analyses,

of Vanderbilt

of MSFC

tests were not successfully

Andy

McDaniels,

thermal

of a number
Baker,

of the MCTA
many hours

Rocker
Herbert

Zollar,

and combustion

University

and Perry

executed

without

and Mike

Shadoan

and the injector

to prepare

has performed

personnel

the test

stability

Hai Nguyen
analyses,

analysis
and JeffLin

respectively.

Gray of Micro

Crat_

Incorporate
laser

have

diagnostic

spent

numerous

time to perform

and the infrared

camera,

combustion

measurements

with the

respectively.
References

1.

2.
3.

4.

5.
6.

7.

Kos, L., "The Human Mars Mission: Transportation Assessment," Space Technology and
Applications International Forum (STAIF) conference, Conference Proceedings Part III, p. 1206,
Albuquerque, NM, January 1998.
Sanders, L, "In-situ Propellant Production (ISPP) & Propulsion Coordination," presentation charts of
2/12/1998, NASA/Johnson Space Center.
Mueller, P. J., Plachta, D.W., Peters, T., Whitehead, J.C., "Subscale Precursor to a Human Mars
Mission Using in Situ Propellant Production," AIAA-98-3301, 34 _ AIAMASME/SAE/ASEE
Joint
Propulsion Conference, July 13-15, 1998.
Guernsey, C. S., "Mars Ascent Propulsion System (MAPS) Technology Program: Plans and
Progress," AIAA-98-3664, 34 th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE
Joint Propulsion Conference, July 13-15,
1998.
Chapman, J. M., "Mars Sample Return Ascent Stage," presentation charts of 2/25/98,
NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center.
Pavli, A. J., "Design and Evaluation of High Performance Rocket Engine Injectors for Use with
Hydrocarbon Fuels," NASA Technical Memo 79319, Prepared for the 16th JANNAF Combustion
Conference, Monterey, CA, 9/10-14, 1979.
Yang, V., Anderson W., Liquid Rocket Engine Combustion Instability, Page 84, Vol. 169, Progress
in Astronautics and Aeronautic, 1995.
Table
Parameter
Chamber
Mixture

1 MAE

Operatin$
Unit

Conditions
Baseline

Range

Psia

250

100 - 550

(N/A)

Pressure
Ratio

Thrust
Vacuum
Specific Impulse
Exit/Throat
Area Ratio
Mass

Table
Injector

600
346

(N/A)

100

(N/A)

1.86

Lbrrdsec

Flow Rate

No.

Lbf
Second

2: Injector

Type

300-

0.86-

Configurations

Config.

Dia.

Cant

LOX

Orifice

CH4

Angle

1
2

SPLIT TRIPLET
:UNLIKE DOUBLET

F-OO-F
F-O-F-O

{in)
0.042
0.05

(in)
0.03
0.035

(deg)
(N/A)
NO

IUNLIKEDOUBLET

F-O-F-O

0.05

0.035

YES

UNLIKE

DOUBLET

F-O-F-O

0.05

0.035

YES

5
6

UNLIKE
UNLIKE

DOUBLET
DOUBLET

F-O-O-F
F-O-F-O

0.05
0.042

0.035
0.03

NO
YES

7
8

SPLIT TRIPLET
UNLIKE DOUBLET

F-OO-F
F-O-F-O

0.042
0.042

0.028
0.03

(N/A)
YES

UNLIKE

F-O-F-O

0.046

0.032

YES

10

SPLIT

F-OO-F

0.046

0.034

(N/A)

DOUBLET
TRIPLET

1000

2.87

Table 3: Test Conditions

PARAMETERS
RANGE
320->
530
Chamber Pressure (psi)
Mixture Ratio
1.5->3.5
5-> 15
ITest Duration (sec)
0.25
-> 10
Mainstage Duration (sec)
9
and
13
Chamber Length (in)

LOX

LOX

Figure 1" Split Triplet Injector (F-OO-F)

(a) Injector Face, (b) Injection Element

GN2

INJECTOR

MANIFOLD

2: Unlike

(a) Injector

doublet

_/AIDoN

[wN JMEoCTuORE

ACOUSTIC
CAVITY
TUNING
BLOCK

Figure

3' MCTA

with an Injector

Injector

Face, (b) Injection

RING

_+

INJECTOR

Figure

TWISTED

Assembly

(F-O-F-O)
Element

Figure

5' Injector

Cores

(b) Split-Triplet

C_n;

of Impinging
(F-OO-F)

Injectors,

annels

(a) Unlike-Doublet

and Unlike-Doublet

If-O-O-F)

(F-O-F-O)