An Optimized Hybrid Rocket Motor for the SARA Platform Reentry System

Cás, Pedro Luiz Kaled Da; Vilanova, Cristiano Queiroz; Barcelos Jr., Manuel Nascimento Dias; Veras, Carlos Alberto Gurgel

doi:10.5028/jatm.2012.04032312

Abstract:

This paper has described a system design process, based on a multidisciplinary optimization technique, of a conceptual optimized hybrid propellant rocket motor. The proposed engine could be a technological option for the reentry maneuvering system of the Brazilian recoverable satellite (SARA), which was designed by the Brazilian Institute of Aeronautics and Space. The resulting optimized propulsion system must be viewed as a proof of concept allowing comparison to more conventional technologies, i.e., liquid and solid motors. Design effort was conducted for hybrid propellants engines based on a liquefying fuel (solid paraffin) and two different oxidizers, H₂O₂ (90% high-testperoxide) and self-pressurizing N₂O. The multidisciplinary configuration optimization technique was supported on geometrical operating parameters of the motor, rather than on performance, in order to facilitate subsequent design and fabrication. Results from the code presented a hybrid motor, which was considered a competitive alternative for the deboost engine when compared to the traditional chemical systems, solid and liquid bipropellant, and monopropellant. The estimated mass of the reentry system, for the cases addressed in this study, varied from 22 to 29 kg, which is lower than either liquid bipropellant or solid engines formerly proposed.

Keywords:
Hybrid rocketpropulsion; Multiphysics analysis; Design optimization

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REFERENCES

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Campbell, J.et al, 2008, "Handling considerations of nitrous oxide in hybrid rocket motor testing", Proceedings of AIAA 2008-4830 44th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference & Exhibit, Poway, California, pp. 3177-3183.
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Publication Dates

Publication in this collection
Jul-Sep 2012

History

Received
18 Apr 2012
Accepted
21 June 2012

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

[1] Akhtar, S. and Lin-shu, H., 2007, "Optimization and Sizing for Propulsion System of Liquid Rocket Using Genetic Algorithm", Chinese Journal of Aeronautics, Vol. 20, No. 1, pp. 40-46.

[2] Almeida, L. A. R. and Santos, L. M. C., 2005, "Design, fabrication and launch of a hybrid rocket with paraffin and N₂O propellants" (In Portuguese), Graduation Project, Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Brasília, Brasília, D. F., Brazil, 83p.

[3] Altman, D. and Holzman, A., 2007, "Overview and History of Hybrid Rocket Propulsion." In Chiaverini, M.J., Kuo, K.K. (ed.), Fundamentals of Hybrid Rocket Combustion and Propulsion, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc., Reston, Virginia, Vol. 218, Chapter 1, pp. 01-36.

[4] Anderson, M.B., 2002, "Genetic Algorithms In Aerospace Design: Substantial Progress Tremendous Potential." Paper presented at the RTO AVT Course on "Intelligent Systems for Aeronautics", held in Rhode-Saint-Genèse, Belgium, 13-17 May 2002, and published in RTO-EN-022.

[5] Bertoldi, A. E. M., 2007, "Experimental investigation of the burning of paraffin and nitrous-oxide in hybrid rocket engines (In Portuguese), Master Thesis, Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Brasília, Brasília, D. F., Brazil, 115p.

[6] Brown, T. R. and Lydon, M. C., 2005, "Testing of Paraffin-Based Hybrid Rocket Fuel Using Hydrogen Peroxide Oxidizer", AIAA Region 5 Student Conference, Wichita, USA.

[7] Campbell, J.et al, 2008, "Handling considerations of nitrous oxide in hybrid rocket motor testing", Proceedings of AIAA 2008-4830 44th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference & Exhibit, Poway, California, pp. 3177-3183.

[8] Casalino, L. and Pastrone, D., 2005, "Oxidizer Control and Optimal Design of Hybrid Rockets for Small Satellites." Journal of Propulsion and Power, Vol. 21, pp. 230-238.

[9] Contaifer, R. A., 2006, "Qualification and flight tests of the SD-1 sounding rocket" (In Portuguese), Graduation Project, Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Brasília, Brasília, D. F., Brazil, 75p.

[10] Costa, F.S. and Vieira, R., 2010, "Preliminary Analysis of Hybrid Rockets for Launching Nanosats into LEO", ABCM, Vol. 32, No. 4, pp. 502-509.

[11] DaLin, R. et al, 2012, "Design and Optimization of Variable Thrust Hybrid Rocket Motors for Sounding Rockets, Science China", Technological Sciences, Vol. 55, No. 1, pp. 125-135.

[12] Davydenko, N. A. et al, 2007, "Hybrid rocket engines - the benefits and prospects", Aerospace Science and Technology. Vol. 11, pp. 55-60.

[13] Greatrix, D.R., 2009, "Regression rate estimation for standard-flow hybrid rocket engines", Aerospace Science and Technology, Vol. 13, pp. 358-363.

[14] Karabeyoglu, M. A. et al, 2004, "Scale-up Tests of High Regression Rate Paraffin-Based Hybrid Rocket Fuels.", Journal of Propulsion and Power, Vol. 20, No. 6, pp. 1037-1045.

[15] Karabeyoglu, M. A., 2008, "Hybrid propulsion for future space launch", 50th Anniversary Symposium and Celebration, University of Stanford Aero/Astro Symposium, Palo Alto, California.

[16] Koldaev, V. and Moraes, P. Jr., 1997, "Design of a recovery system for small orbital payloads", Proceedings of the 14th Brazilian Congress of Mechanical Engineering, Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil.

[17] Kwon, S. T. et al, 2003, "Optimal design of hybrid motor for the first stage of air launch vehicle", Proceedings of the 39th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit, Huntsville, Alabama.

[18] Oiknine, C., 2006, "New perspectives for hybrid propulsion", Proceedings of the AIAA paper 2006-4674, 42^nd AIAA/ ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit, Sacrameno, California.

[19] Rhee, I.et al, 2008, "Optimal Design for Hybrid Rocket engine for Air Launch Vehicle", Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology, Vol. 22, pp. 1576-1585.

[20] Santos, L. M., C. et al, 2006, "Experimental investigation of a paraffin based hybrid rocket", Thermal Engineering, Vol. 5, No. 1, pp. 08-12.

[21] Sasaki, D. and Obayashi, S., 2005, "Efficient Search for Trade-offs by Adaptive Range Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithms", Journal of Aerospace, Computing, Information and Communication, Vol. 2, pp. 44-64.

[22] Sutton, G. P., 2001, "Rocket propulsion elements: an introduction to the engineering of rockets", 7^th edition, New York, USA, John Wiley & Sons,

[23] Viegas, F. L. and Salemi, L. C., 2000, "Design and assembling of a static test bench for hybrid rocket engines" (In Portuguese), Graduation Project, Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Brasília, Brasília, D.F.

[24] Villas Bôas, D. J. F.et al, 2000, "Studies on the characteristics of de-boost motors for a small recoverable orbital platform", Proceedings of the National Congress of Mechanical Engineering, Natal, R.N., Brazil.

[25] Whitmore, S. A. and Chandler, S. N., 2010, "Engineering Model for Self-Pressurizing Saturated-N20-Propellant Feed Systems", Journal of propulsion and Power, Vol. 26, No. 4, pp. 706-714.

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