• Journal of Aerospace System Engineering
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.53-63
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• 2024

Adopting an engine igniter with high efficiency and ignition performance is essential for reliable operation of liquid rocket engines. In this study, we developed a spark torch igniter for a 450 N-scale methane-oxygen liquid rocket engine by conducting numerical analyses, igniter manufacturing and validation. Specifically, we conducted a parametric study for maximizing the enthalpy at the igniter exit, specifically by adjusting the mass flow rate, nozzle area ratio, fuel-oxidizer mixture ratio, and the igniter length-to-diameter. The heat transferred via the igniter nozzle exit was computed using 3-dimensional numerical simulations. We also manufactured and tested the igniter based on a deduced design to confirm ignition performance of the designed spark torch igniter. The igniter developed through this study could contribute to the development of practical propulsion systems such as upper-stage engines of small launch vehicles.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.42 no.9
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• pp.802-808
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• 2014

MEMS based solid propellant thruster researched for the purpose of an academic research will be verified at space environment through CubeSat program. For this, the temperature of the MEMS thruster should be within allowable operating temperature range by proper thermal control to prevent the ignition failure caused by ignition time delay and to guarantee the structural safety of the MEMS thruster in the low temperature. In this study, we proposed an effective thermal control strategy, that is to use micro-igniter as a heater and temperature sensor for active thermal control instead of using additional heater. The effectiveness of the strategy has been verified through on-orbit thermal analysis of CubeSats with MEMS thruster.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers Conference
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• 2003.05a
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• pp.221-224
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• 2003

A numerical study is carried out for the detonation wave propagation through a T-branch. The T-branch is a crucial part of the combustion wave igniter, a novel concept of rocket ignition system aimed for the simultaneous ignition of multiple combustion chambers by delivering detonation waves. Euler equation and induction parameter equation are used as governing equations with a reaction term modeled from the chemical kinetics database obtained from a detailed chemistry mechanism. Second-order accurate implicit time integration and third-order space accurate TVD algorithm were used for solution of the coupled equations. Over two-million grid points enabled the capture of the dynamics of the detonation wave propagation including the degeneration and re-initiation phenomena, and some of the design factors were be obtained for the CWI flame tubes.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.76-82
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• 2013

Survey on the hypergolic igniter and its rupture discs for liquid rocket engines was performed. The patents of the igniters for US MC-1 and Russia RD-170 engines and the discs for NASA's space vehicle were analyzed. The types of discs and holders, characteristics related to rupture pressures and working fluids, and ASME standards of the discs were examined. Also, survey on structural analyses of the disc were performed. Typical design features and experimental results of the currently developing igniter by the authors were presented.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.20-27
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• 2022

Hypergolic propellant ignited spontaneously when fuel and oxidizer contact without ignition system. Due to this characteristic, the risk of accidents is high when new propellants are evaluated. Prevention of accidents is very important because the damage can be large when the accident occur. In this work, we proposed non-ignition evaluation method which can replace conventional ignition evaluation method by using microreactor. The reactor was fabricated by MEMS. The heat of reaction as according to fuel and NaBH₄ was estimated. At the condition of highest heat of reaction ignition was observed by drop test.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers Conference
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• 2005.11a
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• pp.169-172
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• 2005

The performance test result of the Arm Fire Device(Ignition Safety Device) for solid rocket which prevents accidental ignition was described. The results of the closed bomb test and the igniter test of the classical mechanical arm fire device and the advanced electro-mechanical arm fire device were presented, and according to the igniter test result it was realized that the electro-mechanical arm fire device has an advantage in aspect of the action time.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers Conference
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• 2008.11a
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• pp.137-142
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• 2008

Ignition characteristics of combustion chamber with LOx lead cyclogram for liquid rocket engine were described. The combustion chamber has chamber pressure of 60 bar, propellant mass flow rate of 89 kg/s, and nozzle expansion of 12. Cold flow test to determine the filling time of propellant for cyclogram with LOx lead supply, ignition test to check the ability to ignite starting fuel from the ignitor, low pressure combustion test to check the propagation of flame into main fuel-oxidizer mixture from starting fuel and the main combustion stage, and design point combustion test to check the combustion performance were performed. Ignition and combustion tests with LOx lead supply were successfully performed and the stable cyclogram of start sequence for combustion chamber was developed.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers Conference
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• v.y2005m4
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• pp.309-312
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• 2005

High altitude ignition test was performed to understand high altitude ignition characteristics of slinger combustor. To verify ignition limits, test was carried out with variation of altitude and fuel nozzle rotational speed using AETF(Altitude Engine Test Facility) in KARI(Korea Aerospace Research Institute). From the result, the effect of major factors which affect on ignition characteristics was observed. The reduction of ignition limit with increasing altitude and expansion of ignition limit with increasing rotational speed of fuel nozzle was verified. Also minimum rotational speed of fuel nozzle at high altitude must be greater than that of seal level condition.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.26-32
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• 2014

In this study, DC (Direct current) type steam plasma igniter is developed for effective ignition of high-energy density metal aluminum and gas temperature is measured by emission spectrum of OH radical. Because of the ultra-high gas temperature, the DC plasma jet is measured by Boltzmann plot method which is the non-contact optical technique and spectrum comparison-analysis. And both methods were applied to experiment after accurate verification. As a result, we could identify that plasma jet temperature is 2900 K ~ 5800 K in the 30 mm range from the nozzle tip.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers Conference
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• 2012.05a
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• pp.213-218
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• 2012

Survey on the hypergolic igniter and rupture disc for liquid rocket engines was performed. The patent of the igniter for US MC-1 and Russia RD-170 Engine and the disc for NASA's space vehicle were analyzed. The types, characteristics, performances, design parameters and ASME standards of the disc are examined. The performances have manufacturing tolerance, reverse pressure, flow disturbance, fragmentation, material, working fluid and operating ratio. Also, survey on structural analyses of the rupture disc were performed.