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Investigation of Various Novel Air-Breathing Propulsion Systems

Abstract Details

2016, MS, University of Cincinnati, Engineering and Applied Science: Aerospace Engineering.
The current research investigates the operation and performance of various air-breathing propulsion systems, which are capable of utilizing different types of fuel. This study first focuses on a modular RDE configuration, which was mainly studied to determine which conditions yield stable, continuous rotating detonation for an ethylene-air mixture. The performance of this RDE was analyzed by studying various parameters such as mass flow rate, equivalence ratios, wave speed and cell size. For relatively low mass flow rates near stoichiometric conditions, a rotating detonation wave is observed for an ethylene-RDE, but at speeds less than an ideal detonation wave. The current research also involves investigating the newly designed, Twin Oxidizer Injection Capable (TOXIC) RDE. Mixtures of hydrogen and air were utilized for this configuration, resulting in sustained rotating detonation for various mass flow rates and equivalence ratios. A thrust stand was also developed to observe and further measure the performance of the TOXIC RDE. Further analysis was conducted to accurately model and simulate the response of thrust stand during operation of the RDE. Also included in this research are findings and analysis of a propulsion system capable of operating on the Inverse Brayton Cycle. The feasibility of this novel concept was validated in a previous study to be sufficient for small-scale propulsion systems, namely UAV applications. This type of propulsion system consists of a reorganization of traditional gas turbine engine components, which incorporates expansion before compression. This cycle also requires a heat exchanger to reduce the temperature of the flow entering the compressor downstream. While adding a heat exchanger improves the efficiency of the cycle, it also increases the engine weight, resulting in less endurance for the aircraft. Therefore, this study focuses on the selection and development of a new heat exchanger design that is lightweight, and is capable of transferring significant amounts of heat and improving the efficiency and performance of the propulsion system.
Ephraim Gutmark, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Paul Orkwis, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Mark Turner, Sc.D. (Committee Member)
104 p.

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Citations

  • Wilhite, J. M. (2016). Investigation of Various Novel Air-Breathing Propulsion Systems [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin147981623341895

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Wilhite, Jarred. Investigation of Various Novel Air-Breathing Propulsion Systems. 2016. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin147981623341895.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Wilhite, Jarred. "Investigation of Various Novel Air-Breathing Propulsion Systems." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin147981623341895

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)