| Abstract: | A model relating the combustion characteristics, particularly the regression rate, to the fuel properties in a solid fuel ramjet (SFRJ), is presented. The analysis is based on inspecting the different phenomena (e.g., chemical kinetics and heat transfer) involved in the fuel decomposition process in order to determine the rate controlling steps, and modeling the important mechanisms. Model predictions were compared to experimental findings for four polymeric fuels, showing excellent qualitative agreement in classifying different fuels, as well as good quantitative predictions of the fuel regression rates. The model can serve as a useful tool for the selection of appropriate fuels, as well as for preliminary design of the engine and mission profile prior to static firings of the final SFRJ prototype. |
