• 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 of Propulsion Engineers
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.1-8
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• 2019

In this study, Arc plasma was employed for the thermal decomposition of nitrous oxide($N_2O$). Conventional ignition systems such as torch, spark, and catalyst systems, have disadvantages in that they are not reliable and do not provide rapid responses. Therefore, this study suggests the plasma application of plasma to overcome the problems of conventional ignition methods. A gas temperature and combustion experiment was carried out to investigate the feasibility to a novel igniter. The gas temperature was measured around $960^{\circ}C$ at 1 g/s, 0.7 A at the nearest wall. In addition, a combustion test was successfully conducted in 3.1 sec after the plasma discharge was initiated with a main flow rate of 10 g/s. The energy consumption for ignition was 1,780 J(574 W).