Energetic Secondary Fuel Injection for Propulsion System Performance Improvement

This program will develop the technology needed to design active combustion control (ACC) techniques using energetic secondary fuel injection concepts. We will use the ACC experiments of Yu (UMD) and the energetic fuel research of Yetter (PSU) as stepping-stones. CRAFT Tech will assess and validate their hybrid RANS/LES methodology (previously used to design active control systems for weapons bays with microjet actuation) using datasets of Yu. Initial work will focus on analyzing a rearward facing step dump combustor with secondary nano-Al injection. The CFD code to be used has a detailed nano-Al combustion model based on collaborative work with Yetter for secondary nano-Al injection into scramjet combustors. Pulsed injection modeling work will make use of Yu’s data for an axisymmetric ramjet combustor with a pulsed fuel injection system. Yu and Yetter will serve as consultants on this effort. Yu will formulate a Phase II test plan based on use of existing hardware to evaluate improved ACC concepts, and, to directly support the validation of a CFD code configured to directly support ACC concept design. Yetter will examine the applicability of several energetic fuels that show promise for secondary injection for ACC applications, to be tested in Phase II.