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Module-4 Liquid Propellant Rocket

1. There are two types of propellant feed systems for liquid propellant rockets: gas pressure feed systems and turbo pump feed systems. 2. Gas pressure feed systems use an inert gas to pressurize the propellant tanks and force the propellants into the combustion chamber. They are simpler but heavier. 3. Turbo pump feed systems use gas turbine driven centrifugal pumps to pump the propellants. They are more complex but allow for larger rockets and longer missions.

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95 views5 pages

Module-4 Liquid Propellant Rocket

1. There are two types of propellant feed systems for liquid propellant rockets: gas pressure feed systems and turbo pump feed systems. 2. Gas pressure feed systems use an inert gas to pressurize the propellant tanks and force the propellants into the combustion chamber. They are simpler but heavier. 3. Turbo pump feed systems use gas turbine driven centrifugal pumps to pump the propellants. They are more complex but allow for larger rockets and longer missions.

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mani
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Module-4

Liquid Propellant Rocket


PROPELLANT FEED SYSTEM:
Liquid propellants are required to be injected at a pressure slightly above the
combustor pressure.
There are two types of feed systems can be employed for this function. They
are,

1. Gas pressure feed system


2. Turbo pump feed system

The pressure feed system is much simpler and widely used for low thrust and
short range operations.
The latter is used in large engines.

GAS PRESSURE FEED SYSTEM:


The gas pressure feed system is quite simple. An inert gas is separately carried
at a pressure much higher than the injection pressure; this is used to exert the
required pressure in the propellant tanks.

The pressurizing gas is chosen on the basis of its chemical properties, density,
pressure and the total weight of the gas and the tank. A gas which is ideal for
one propellant unsuitable for another. Nitrogen, Helium and air have been used
for pressurization. The propellants under high pressure are forced to flow into
the thrust chamber through valves, feed lines and injectors. Several regulating
and check valves are used for filling draining, starting and checking the flow of
propellants.
In this type of systems there are no moving parts such as turbines and pumps are
used. Therefore this system is considerably simpler. However, the
pressurization of the propellant tanks requires them to be comparatively much
heavier and introduces a weight penalty besides other problems. Therefore
this system is unsuitable for large rocket and long range missions.

Fig. Schematic of gas pressure feed system


Pressure for injection can also be generated within the propellant tank by
introducing a small quantity of a gas, which reacts exothermally with the
propellant, this produces high pressure gas required to force the propellant into
the combustor.

TURBO PUMP FEED SYSTEM:


In the turbo pump feed system; the propellants are pumped into the combustor
by gas turbine driven by centrifugal pumps

Fig. Schematic of turbo pump feed system


The turbines derive the power from the expansion of hot gases .The gases are
generated separately by the gas generator. Figure above depicts a general
arrangement of a turbo pump system. In order to achieve flexibility in choosing
the design and operating parameters the fuel and oxidizer pumps can be
separately by their turbines.

The turbine operates on a separate gas stream generated from the propellants in
an independent gas generator. A pressurizing gas can be used to increase the
pressure of the propellants at the pump suctions to avoid cavitation and the
resulting instability in pump operation.
Generally turbine speeds are high, therefore propellant pumps can be driven at
optimum speeds through reduction gear with an additional weight penalty. The
working gas for the turbine can also be generated at optimum temperature and
pressure. The generator also has its own injection and ignition systems. The
flow of propellants to the gas generator occurs due to the action of pressurizing
gases. If the gas pressurization is not employed to the propellants can be bled
from the delivery lines of the pumps. The propellant flow required for driving
the turbines is of the order of 1.5 to 5% of the main flow. The turbine exhaust is
also expanded through an exhaust nozzle to provide an additional thrust.

An auxiliary power unit is also needed in a rocket engine. A single turbine can
develop sufficient power to drive the propellant pumps as well as the electric
generator. Besides working on high energy gases bled from the main thrust
chamber or combustor it can also employ its own combustor with a gas pressure
feed system. An alternative method which is comparatively simpler is to
generate the working gases by burning solid propellants in a manner similar to
the solid propellant rocket.
The turbines and pumps for rocket applications are designed to meet some
special requirements. There are enormous temperature differences with a
turbine inlet at a high temperature of the propellants are highly reactive.
Therefore the sealing arrangement in propellant pumps should be perfect and
resistant to corrosion. Both positive displacement and turbo pumps can be used
for delivering propellants from the tank to the combustion chamber. However
centrifugal pumps are widely used.

VALVES AND PIPE LINES:


VALVES:
Valves control the flows of liquids and gases and pipes conduct these fluids to
the intended components. There are no rocket engines without them. There are
many different types of valves. All have to be reliable, light weight, leak proof,
and must withstand intensive vibrations and very loud noises.
With many of these valves, any leakage or valve failure can cause a failure of
the rocket unit itself. All valves are tested for two qualities prior to installation;
they are tested for leaks - through the seat and also through the glands--and for
functional soundness or performance.
The propellant valves in high thrust units handle relatively large flows at high
service pressures. Therefore, the forces necessary to actuate the valves are large.
Hydraulic or pneumatic pressure, controlled by pilot valves, operates the larger
valves

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