Papers : Application of Cavitating Venturi for Stable propellant feed system

For the pressurized propellant supply system of liquid rocket, feed pressure is determined with respect to the chamber pressure of normal combustion state. However, during ignition period the initial chamber pressure is atmosopheric. This may cause overflow, hard-start and even critical damage for the engine. This paper proposes an improved propellant feed system for the stable combustion of liquid rocket. The proposed system utilizes the cavitating venturi to provide stable mass flow rate. Cavitating venturi offers unique flow control capabilities at normal and abnormal combustion state, because flow rate is soley dependent on the upstream absolute pressure and fluid properties, but independent on th downstream condition. Experimental variables are propellant feed pressure and chamber pressure. The effectiveness of cavitating venturi increased when the ratio of actual feed pressure to the cavitating venturi design pressure is increased. It is also found that Kerosene if more effective to supply stable mass flow rate than LOx.