An Experimental Study of Transient Flows in Pulse Combustors

<p>The purpose of this investigation was to experimentally characterize a pulse combustor with respect to ambient conditions, pressure amplitudes, wall temperature, combustor geometry and type of centerbody used. The wall temperatures were recorded and the pressure variation was obtained using a sampling rate of 10,000 readings per second. These parameters were recorded for two different tailpipe lengths and centerbodies, and for different ambient conditions. Power spectrums were then obtained from the pressure variations. These spectrums displayed the peak amplitudes and the frequencies at which they occurred. The experiment showed distinct repeatability. It was concluded that combustor displayed the steady, pulsing and flame-out modes. The pulse combustor behaved just like any other combustion engine in terms of its efficiency with respect to ambient temperature and pressure. It was deduced that the inlet pressures dictated the achievement of the pulsing mode. The effect of increasing the length of the tailpipe proved advantageous to a certain limit. A change in the centerbody proved advantageous in some cases and had no effect in others.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Aerospace Engineering

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis - Open Access

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Graduate Studies

Year

1995

Author dc:creator

• Femandes, Michael P.

Contributors dc:contributor

• L.L. Narayanaswami
• Luther R. Reisbig
• Ernest R. Jones

• pulse combustors
• transient flows
• Aerospace Engineering

Repository record dc:identifier

https://commons.erau.edu/db-theses/290

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:commons.erau.edu:db-theses-1077