Fuel regression and flame stabilization studies of solid-fuel ramjets

An experimental investigation of solid-fuel ramjets (SFRJ) has been performed in order to determine the fuel regression behavior and flame stability limits. In order to investigate the fuel regression for various flight speeds and altitudes, chamber pressure, air mass flux, and inlet temperature have been varied over a wide range. The flame holding studies with a sudden-expansion dump combustor were aimed at minimizing the ratios of fuel port to nozzle throat area and fuel port to injector area. The standard fuel in this study was polyethylene (PE), whereas hydroxylterminated polybutadiene (HTPB) fuel was also Investigated in a limited number of tests.