Influence of liquid film on fuel consumption behavior in paraffin-based hybrid rocket engines at low mass flux

초록

This study investigates the role of liquid-film behavior in paraffin-based hybrid rocket combustion, focusing on the contribution of the liquid film to the overall fuel regression rate. Combustion experiments were conducted at low mass fluxes under atmospheric conditions using a two-dimensional horizontal slab burner and paraffin-based fuels blended with varying amounts of low-density polyethylene. The mass transfer from the solid fuel surface was found to be governed by three mechanisms: vaporization, droplet entrainment, and liquid film flow. A substantial portion of the total regression rate was attributed to the flowing liquid film, the contribution of which strongly depended on its viscosity. Furthermore, a novel liquid-film regression rate model was developed and validated using the experimental data. This model accurately captures the effects of gas mass flux and liquid viscosity on the liquid-film regression rate. Our findings highlight the importance of considering liquid-film behavior, especially for liquefying fuels such as paraffin-based fuels, when designing hybrid rocket motors and predicting their performance.

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