Detonation engines. Successes and prospects
At the end of January, there were reports of new successes of Russian science and technology. From official sources it became known that one of the domestic projects of the promising jet engine of detonation type has already passed the test stage. This brings the moment of complete completion of all the required work, according to the results of which Russian-made space or military missiles will be able to obtain new power plants with enhanced characteristics. Moreover, the new principles of the engine can be applied not only in the field of missiles, but also in other areas.
In late January, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin told the national press about the latest successes of research organizations. Among other topics, he touched on the process of creating jet engines that use new operating principles. Prospective engine with detonation burning has already been brought to the test. According to the vice-premier, the application of the new principles of the power plant allows to obtain a significant increase in performance. In comparison with the structures of traditional architecture, an increase in thrust of the order of 30% is observed.
Scheme detonation rocket engine
Modern rocket engines of various classes and types, operated in various fields, use the so-called. isobaric cycle or deflagration combustion. In their combustion chambers, a constant pressure is maintained at which slow combustion of the fuel takes place. The engine based on deflagration principles does not need particularly robust units, however it is limited in maximum performance. Improving the basic characteristics, starting from a certain level, turns out to be unnecessarily difficult.
An alternative to an engine with an isobaric cycle in the context of increasing performance is a system with a so-called. detonation burning. In this case, the oxidation reaction of the fuel occurs behind the shock wave, moving at high speed through the combustion chamber. This places special demands on the design of the engine, but it also has obvious advantages. In terms of fuel combustion efficiency, 25% detonation combustion is better than deflagration. It also differs from burning with a constant pressure by increased heat generation power per unit area of the reaction front surface. In theory, it is possible to increase this parameter by three to four orders of magnitude. As a result, the speed of the reactive gases can be increased 20-25 times.
Thus, the detonation engine, differing by an increased efficiency, is capable of developing greater thrust with less fuel consumption. Its advantages over traditional designs are obvious, but until recently progress in this area left much to be desired. The principles of a detonation jet engine were formulated as early as 1940, by the Soviet physicist Ya.B. Zeldovich, but finished products of this kind are still not operational. The main reasons for the lack of real success are the problems with creating a fairly solid construction, as well as the difficulty of launching and subsequently maintaining a shock wave when using existing fuels.
One of the latest domestic projects in the field of detonation rocket engines was launched in 2014 year and is being developed at the NPO Energomash named after Academician V.P. Glushko. According to available data, the purpose of the project with the code “Ifrit” was to study the basic principles of the new technology, followed by the creation of a liquid rocket engine using kerosene and gaseous oxygen. The basis of the new engine, named for the fiery demons from Arabic folklore, fit the principle of spin detonation burning. Thus, in accordance with the basic idea of the project, the shock wave should continuously move in a circle inside the combustion chamber.
NPO Energomash, or rather a special laboratory created on its basis, became the lead developer of the new project. In addition, several other research and design organizations were involved in the work. The program has received support from the Advanced Research Foundation. Together, all participants in the Ifrit project were able to form the optimal look of a promising engine, as well as create a model combustion chamber with new operating principles.
To explore the prospects of the whole direction and new ideas a few years ago, a so-called was built. model detonation combustion chamber that meets the requirements of the project. Such an experienced engine with a reduced configuration had to use liquid kerosene as a fuel. Oxygen gas was proposed as an oxidizing agent. In August, the 2016 began testing the test chamber. It is important that for the first time in stories a project of this kind was brought to the stage of bench checks. Earlier, domestic and foreign detonation rocket engines were developed, but not tested.
During the tests of the model sample, it was possible to obtain very interesting results showing the correctness of the approaches used. So, by using the right materials and technologies, it turned out to bring the pressure inside the combustion chamber to 40 atmospheres. Traction experienced products reached 2 t.
Model chamber on the test bench
Within the framework of the Ifrit project, certain results were obtained, but the domestic detonation engine with liquid fuel is still far from full practical application. Before the introduction of such equipment in new technology projects, designers and scientists have to solve a number of very serious problems. Only after that the rocket-space industry or the defense industry will be able to start realizing the potential of the new technology in practice.
In mid-January, Rossiyskaya Gazeta published an interview with Pyotr Levochkin, chief designer of NPO Energomash, whose theme was the current state of affairs and prospects for detonation engines. The representative of the enterprise developer recalled the main provisions of the project, and also touched on the topic of success. In addition, he spoke about the possible areas of use of "Ifrit" and similar structures.
For example, detonation engines can be used in hypersonic aircraft. P. Levochkin recalled that the engines now being proposed for use on such a technique use subsonic combustion. With hypersonic flight velocity, the air entering the engine must be braked to sound mode. However, the braking energy should lead to additional thermal loads on the airframe. In detonation engines, the burning rate of the fuel reaches at least M = 2,5. This makes it possible to increase the speed of flight of the aircraft. Such a machine with a detonation engine can accelerate to speeds eight times the speed of sound.
However, the real prospects of detonation-type rocket engines are not too great yet. According to P. Levochkin, we "just opened the door to the area of detonation burning." Scientists and designers will have to study a lot of questions, and only after that it will be possible to create structures with practical potential. Because of this, the space industry has yet to use liquid engines of traditional design, which, however, does not eliminate the possibility of their further improvement.
An interesting fact is that the detonation principle of combustion is used not only in the field of rocket engines. A domestic project already exists aviation systems with a detonation type combustion chamber operating on a pulsed basis. A prototype of this kind has been brought to the test, and in the future may give a start to a new direction. New engines with detonation combustion can find application in various fields and partially replace gas turbine or turbojet engines of traditional designs.
The domestic project of an aircraft detonation engine is being developed at the OKB Design Bureau. A.M. Cradles. Information about this project was first presented at last year's international military-technical forum "Army-2017". At the stand of the enterprise-developer there were materials on various engines, both serial and under development. Among the latter was a promising detonation sample.
The essence of the new proposal is to use a non-standard combustion chamber capable of carrying out pulsed detonation combustion of fuel in an air atmosphere. The frequency of "explosions" inside the engine should reach 15-20 kHz. In the future, an additional increase in this parameter is possible, as a result of which engine noise will go beyond the range perceived by the human ear. Such features of the engine may be of some interest.
The first launch of the experienced Ifrit product
However, the main advantages of the new power plant are associated with enhanced performance. Bench tests of experimental products showed that they are about 30% superior to traditional gas turbine engines in specific indicators. By the time of the first public demonstration of materials on the engine OKB im. A.M. Cradles could get quite high performance. An experienced new type of engine was able to work 10 minutes without interruption. The total operating time of this product on the stand at that time exceeded the 100 hours.
Representatives of the enterprise-developer pointed out that it is already possible to create a new detonation engine with a 2-2,5 tonnage, suitable for installation on light aircraft or unmanned aerial vehicles. The design of such an engine is proposed to use the so-called. resonator devices responsible for the correct course of fuel combustion. An important advantage of the new project is the fundamental possibility of installing such devices anywhere in the airframe.
Specialists OKB im. A.M. The cradles have been working on aircraft engines with pulse detonation burning for more than three decades, but so far the project has not gone beyond the research stage and has no real prospects. The main reason - the lack of order and the necessary funding. If the project receives the necessary support, then in the foreseeable future a sample engine can be created that can be used on various equipment.
To date, Russian scientists and designers have managed to show quite remarkable results in the field of jet engines using new operating principles. There are several projects that are suitable for use in the rocket-space and hypersonic fields. In addition, new engines can be used in the "traditional" aviation. Some projects are still in the early stages and are not yet ready for inspections and other work, whereas in other areas the most remarkable results have already been obtained.
Investigating the subject of jet engines with detonation combustion, the Russian experts were able to create a bench model sample of the combustion chamber with the desired characteristics. The experienced Ifrit product has already passed tests, during which a large amount of various information was collected. With the help of the obtained data, the development of the direction will continue.
Mastering a new direction and translating ideas into a practically applicable form will take a lot of time, and for this reason, in the foreseeable future, space and army rockets will only be completed with traditional liquid-propelled engines in the foreseeable future. Nevertheless, the work has already gone out of a purely theoretical stage, and now every test launch of an experienced engine brings the moment of construction of high-grade missiles with new power plants closer.
On the materials of the sites:
http://engine.space/
http://fpi.gov.ru/
https://rg.ru/
https://utro.ru/
http://tass.ru/
http://svpressa.ru/
In late January, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin told the national press about the latest successes of research organizations. Among other topics, he touched on the process of creating jet engines that use new operating principles. Prospective engine with detonation burning has already been brought to the test. According to the vice-premier, the application of the new principles of the power plant allows to obtain a significant increase in performance. In comparison with the structures of traditional architecture, an increase in thrust of the order of 30% is observed.
Scheme detonation rocket engine
Modern rocket engines of various classes and types, operated in various fields, use the so-called. isobaric cycle or deflagration combustion. In their combustion chambers, a constant pressure is maintained at which slow combustion of the fuel takes place. The engine based on deflagration principles does not need particularly robust units, however it is limited in maximum performance. Improving the basic characteristics, starting from a certain level, turns out to be unnecessarily difficult.
An alternative to an engine with an isobaric cycle in the context of increasing performance is a system with a so-called. detonation burning. In this case, the oxidation reaction of the fuel occurs behind the shock wave, moving at high speed through the combustion chamber. This places special demands on the design of the engine, but it also has obvious advantages. In terms of fuel combustion efficiency, 25% detonation combustion is better than deflagration. It also differs from burning with a constant pressure by increased heat generation power per unit area of the reaction front surface. In theory, it is possible to increase this parameter by three to four orders of magnitude. As a result, the speed of the reactive gases can be increased 20-25 times.
Thus, the detonation engine, differing by an increased efficiency, is capable of developing greater thrust with less fuel consumption. Its advantages over traditional designs are obvious, but until recently progress in this area left much to be desired. The principles of a detonation jet engine were formulated as early as 1940, by the Soviet physicist Ya.B. Zeldovich, but finished products of this kind are still not operational. The main reasons for the lack of real success are the problems with creating a fairly solid construction, as well as the difficulty of launching and subsequently maintaining a shock wave when using existing fuels.
One of the latest domestic projects in the field of detonation rocket engines was launched in 2014 year and is being developed at the NPO Energomash named after Academician V.P. Glushko. According to available data, the purpose of the project with the code “Ifrit” was to study the basic principles of the new technology, followed by the creation of a liquid rocket engine using kerosene and gaseous oxygen. The basis of the new engine, named for the fiery demons from Arabic folklore, fit the principle of spin detonation burning. Thus, in accordance with the basic idea of the project, the shock wave should continuously move in a circle inside the combustion chamber.
NPO Energomash, or rather a special laboratory created on its basis, became the lead developer of the new project. In addition, several other research and design organizations were involved in the work. The program has received support from the Advanced Research Foundation. Together, all participants in the Ifrit project were able to form the optimal look of a promising engine, as well as create a model combustion chamber with new operating principles.
To explore the prospects of the whole direction and new ideas a few years ago, a so-called was built. model detonation combustion chamber that meets the requirements of the project. Such an experienced engine with a reduced configuration had to use liquid kerosene as a fuel. Oxygen gas was proposed as an oxidizing agent. In August, the 2016 began testing the test chamber. It is important that for the first time in stories a project of this kind was brought to the stage of bench checks. Earlier, domestic and foreign detonation rocket engines were developed, but not tested.
During the tests of the model sample, it was possible to obtain very interesting results showing the correctness of the approaches used. So, by using the right materials and technologies, it turned out to bring the pressure inside the combustion chamber to 40 atmospheres. Traction experienced products reached 2 t.
Model chamber on the test bench
Within the framework of the Ifrit project, certain results were obtained, but the domestic detonation engine with liquid fuel is still far from full practical application. Before the introduction of such equipment in new technology projects, designers and scientists have to solve a number of very serious problems. Only after that the rocket-space industry or the defense industry will be able to start realizing the potential of the new technology in practice.
In mid-January, Rossiyskaya Gazeta published an interview with Pyotr Levochkin, chief designer of NPO Energomash, whose theme was the current state of affairs and prospects for detonation engines. The representative of the enterprise developer recalled the main provisions of the project, and also touched on the topic of success. In addition, he spoke about the possible areas of use of "Ifrit" and similar structures.
For example, detonation engines can be used in hypersonic aircraft. P. Levochkin recalled that the engines now being proposed for use on such a technique use subsonic combustion. With hypersonic flight velocity, the air entering the engine must be braked to sound mode. However, the braking energy should lead to additional thermal loads on the airframe. In detonation engines, the burning rate of the fuel reaches at least M = 2,5. This makes it possible to increase the speed of flight of the aircraft. Such a machine with a detonation engine can accelerate to speeds eight times the speed of sound.
However, the real prospects of detonation-type rocket engines are not too great yet. According to P. Levochkin, we "just opened the door to the area of detonation burning." Scientists and designers will have to study a lot of questions, and only after that it will be possible to create structures with practical potential. Because of this, the space industry has yet to use liquid engines of traditional design, which, however, does not eliminate the possibility of their further improvement.
An interesting fact is that the detonation principle of combustion is used not only in the field of rocket engines. A domestic project already exists aviation systems with a detonation type combustion chamber operating on a pulsed basis. A prototype of this kind has been brought to the test, and in the future may give a start to a new direction. New engines with detonation combustion can find application in various fields and partially replace gas turbine or turbojet engines of traditional designs.
The domestic project of an aircraft detonation engine is being developed at the OKB Design Bureau. A.M. Cradles. Information about this project was first presented at last year's international military-technical forum "Army-2017". At the stand of the enterprise-developer there were materials on various engines, both serial and under development. Among the latter was a promising detonation sample.
The essence of the new proposal is to use a non-standard combustion chamber capable of carrying out pulsed detonation combustion of fuel in an air atmosphere. The frequency of "explosions" inside the engine should reach 15-20 kHz. In the future, an additional increase in this parameter is possible, as a result of which engine noise will go beyond the range perceived by the human ear. Such features of the engine may be of some interest.
The first launch of the experienced Ifrit product
However, the main advantages of the new power plant are associated with enhanced performance. Bench tests of experimental products showed that they are about 30% superior to traditional gas turbine engines in specific indicators. By the time of the first public demonstration of materials on the engine OKB im. A.M. Cradles could get quite high performance. An experienced new type of engine was able to work 10 minutes without interruption. The total operating time of this product on the stand at that time exceeded the 100 hours.
Representatives of the enterprise-developer pointed out that it is already possible to create a new detonation engine with a 2-2,5 tonnage, suitable for installation on light aircraft or unmanned aerial vehicles. The design of such an engine is proposed to use the so-called. resonator devices responsible for the correct course of fuel combustion. An important advantage of the new project is the fundamental possibility of installing such devices anywhere in the airframe.
Specialists OKB im. A.M. The cradles have been working on aircraft engines with pulse detonation burning for more than three decades, but so far the project has not gone beyond the research stage and has no real prospects. The main reason - the lack of order and the necessary funding. If the project receives the necessary support, then in the foreseeable future a sample engine can be created that can be used on various equipment.
To date, Russian scientists and designers have managed to show quite remarkable results in the field of jet engines using new operating principles. There are several projects that are suitable for use in the rocket-space and hypersonic fields. In addition, new engines can be used in the "traditional" aviation. Some projects are still in the early stages and are not yet ready for inspections and other work, whereas in other areas the most remarkable results have already been obtained.
Investigating the subject of jet engines with detonation combustion, the Russian experts were able to create a bench model sample of the combustion chamber with the desired characteristics. The experienced Ifrit product has already passed tests, during which a large amount of various information was collected. With the help of the obtained data, the development of the direction will continue.
Mastering a new direction and translating ideas into a practically applicable form will take a lot of time, and for this reason, in the foreseeable future, space and army rockets will only be completed with traditional liquid-propelled engines in the foreseeable future. Nevertheless, the work has already gone out of a purely theoretical stage, and now every test launch of an experienced engine brings the moment of construction of high-grade missiles with new power plants closer.
On the materials of the sites:
http://engine.space/
http://fpi.gov.ru/
https://rg.ru/
https://utro.ru/
http://tass.ru/
http://svpressa.ru/
- Ryabov Kirill
- NPO Energomash / rg.ru, "Foundation for Advanced Studies" / fpi.gov.ru
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