+ Visit NASA.gov + Contact NASA   + Home Collection > NASA  Author > Eggers, James M.  Author > Northam, G. Burton  Author > O'Brien, Walter F.  Author > Wagner, Timothy C.  NASA Center > Langley Research Center  Publication Year > 1981-1990 > 1989  Subject > P-R > Propellants And Fuels  Availability Options > Order From Other Sources  Item/Media Type > Journal Article  Note: Start a new navigation search by selecting a link above     Previous Record | Next Record + Back to Results   + Printer Friendly Title: Plasma torch igniter for scramjets Author(s): Wagner, Timothy C.; O'Brien, Walter F.; Northam, G. Burton; Eggers, James M. Abstract: A small, uncooled plasma torch was developed and used in combination with an injector designed to study ignition and flameholding in hydrogen-fueled supersonic flows. The plasma torch was operated on mixtures of hydrogen and argon with total flows of 10 to 70 scfh. The fuel injector design consisted of five small upstream pilot fuel injectors, a rearward facing step for recirculation, and three main fuel injectors downstream of the step. The plasma torch was located in the recirculation region, and all injection was perpendicular to the Mach 2 stream. Both semi-freejet and ducted tests were conducted. The experimental results indicate that a low power plasma torch operating on a 1:1 volumetric mixture of hydrogen and argon and located in the recirculation zone fueled by the upstream pilot fuel injectors is a good igniter for flow conditions simulating a flight Mach number of 3.7. The total temperature required to autoignite the hydrogen fuel for this injector geometry was 2640 R. The injector configuration was shown to be a good flameholder over a wide range of total temperature. Spectroscopic measurements were used to verify the presence of air total temperatures below 1610 R. NASA Center: Langley Research Center Publication Date: Oct 1, 1989 Document Source: Other Sources No Digital Version Available: Go to Tips On Ordering Document ID: 19890065984 Accession ID: 89A53355 Publication Information: Journal of Propulsion and Power, 5, 548-554, ISSN 0748-4658, Number of Pages = 7 Related Information: Previously announced in STAR as N87-23789 Keywords: COMBUSTION EFFICIENCY; IGNITERS; PLASMA TORCHES; RAMJET ENGINES; SUPERSONIC COMBUSTION; FLAME HOLDERS; FLOW VISUALIZATION; FUEL INJECTION; PERFORMANCE TESTS; Notes: Journal of Propulsion and Power (ISSN 0748-4658), vol. 5, Sept.-Oct. 1989, p. 548-554. Previously announced in STAR as N87-23789. Accessibility: Unclassified; Copyright; Unlimited; Publicly available; Updated/Added to NTRS: 2004-11-03 + Back to Top + Sponsored by the NASA Scientific and Technical    Information Program + 2004 Vision for Space Exploration + Freedom of Information Act + NASA Web Privacy Policy and Important Notices + NASA Disclaimers, Copyright Notice,    and Terms and Conditions of Use NASA Official: Calvin Mackey Page Curator: NASA Center for AeroSpace Information (help@sti.nasa.gov) Last Updated: July 5, 2007