The propellant combination is one of the most significant factors in engine sizing. Nitrous Oxide, N2O is our oxidizer, and Isopropyl Alcohol, IPA is our fuel. IPA was selected as fuel due to its low cost and accessibility.
Engine sizing is constrained by three main variables,
, thrustEazy math inline body P_{c}
, andEazy math inline body F_{t}
. We used a Simulink simulation to decide on anEazy math inline body \dot{m}
ofEazy math inline body F_{t}
and metallurgy and COTS valve/fitting pressure ratings to arrive at aEazy math inline body 2500N
ofEazy math inline body P_{c}
orEazy math inline body 2500 \mathit{kPa}
.Eazy math inline body 362.6\mathit{Psi} Using NASA CEA. We input
,Eazy math inline body P_{c}
, andEazy math inline body P_{e}
for our N2O oxidizer and IPA fuel. CEA allows you to simulate various mass fractions. We chose 4.0 as it gives the best ISP performance, this burns hot but not as hot as a more OX-rich mix. CEA outputs theEazy math inline body \mathit{MR}
,Eazy math inline body {M}
(equivalent toEazy math inline body {\gamma}
),Eazy math inline body \frac {C_{p}} {C_{v}}
,Eazy math inline body \frac {A_{e}} {A_{t}}
, andEazy math inline body {V_{e}}
.Eazy math inline body \textrm{ISP} The following parameters are fed into a Matlab script:
,Eazy math inline body \dot{m}
,Eazy math inline body \mathit{MR}
,Eazy math inline body P_{c}
, andEazy math inline body P_{e}
(L* is somewhat arbitrary and selected) as well as chemical properties. m_dot is adjusted! We chose an L* of 1 m, and m_dot 1.1 kg/s. That yields V_c. We pick 0.15 m L which gives a D_c of 7.73cm and exit diameter of 6.3 cm and a throat diameter of 2.99 cm.Eazy math inline body L^\star
...
Variable Name | Symbol | Value & Units | Description | Methodology | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chamber Pressure |
|
| Pressure of the chamber, measured at the injector. | One of two initial values, driven by metallurgy and COTS valves/fittings. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Thrust |
|
| Thrust of the engine! | Second of the two initial values, driven by competition requirements and simulations. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mass Flow Rate |
|
| Mass flow rate through the engine. Mass is conserved so
| The Matlab engine sizing program interates through various
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Exhaust Pressure |
|
| Pressure of the exhaust. In the ideal case
| We design around the ideal case (
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mass Ratio (also called Mass Fraction or Oxidizer Fuel Ratio (OF)) |
|
| Ratio, by Mixture mass , ratio between propellants as Ox/Fuel. | NASA CEA allows you to enter multiple MRs. Multiple were entered until the combustion temps and
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
? |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Specific Weight (also called Gamma) |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||