A Fluid Analysis for Propellant Feed System as Thruster Valve Operation

인공위성 추력기 작동에 따른 배관 내 유동해석

Usual LEO satellite for earth observation use a blowdown hydrazine monopropellant propulsion system for attitude hold and orbit maintenance. For precision control, thruster valve has very short closing time, but this can cause water hammering and pressure surge. Since water hammering and pressure surge can cause damage of propulsion system and ununiform thrust, Thruster valve closing is one of the special concern during satellite propulsion system design. In this paper, an analysis for propellant feed system is conducted using the method of characteristics. The results represent water hammer effect is negligible even at the worst case and pressure surge can be decreased effectively with a trim orifice.