Multi-phase injection through bypass: A novel catalytic chamber design

Abstract

A catalytic chamber is a chemical reactor that decomposes hydrogen peroxide to gaseous oxygen and water vapor. It is filled with a catalytic material, for example metallic coated aluminium oxid pellets. The decomposition process is very reliable and simple. The new catalytic chamber concept is relevant for the application in hybrid rocket engines. There the catalytic bed realizes the gaseous injection of oxygen to the fuel in the combustion chamber. As a result, an ignition without additional igniter is possible. The idea of the new concept is to bypass some of the liquid hydrogen peroxide next to the catalytic bed. With this bypass a multi-phase, liquid and decomposed hydrogen peroxide, injection in the combustion chamber is possible. This could be advantageous for the combustion efficiency, weight as well as costs of the chamber. Furthermore, the concept enables a progressive throttling technique. In addition to the positive influence of the bypass some challenges come up. A design process of the chamber is presented with focus on the solution of these challenges. Finally, the planned experiments at the test site Trauen are introduced.