Pollution Control on a Test Facility for a Cryogenic Rocket Engine

Abstract

The environmental pollution due to the exhaust of the rocket is widely studied and strong efforts were made to reduce or avoid this kind of pollution. On the other hand the rocket engine itself can be sensitive to pollution. Therefore pollution control is an important aspect within the operation of a rocket engine. On the test facility P5 at DLR in Lampoldshausen, Germany the cryogenic rocket engine VULCAIN is tested since eighteen years. A permanent pollution control against particles, humidity and foreign gases is an important part of the test procedures. Pollution from extern and intern of the facility and engine has to be faced and the impact to the operational aspects of the rocket engine has to be considered. An attentive pollution control is necessary and possible to ensure a good performance of the test facility and the rocket engine.