Development of an Optimized Induction Melting System for Fabricating Paraffin Fuel Grains for Hybrid Rocket Propulsion

ABSTRACT This work reports the development of an induction melting system for producing paraffin-based fuel units for hybrid rockets. The system is based in oscillating low-frequency magnetic field to generate heat within the material, enabling a precise temperature control through an on/off process...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of aerospace technology and management 2024-01, Vol.16
Main Authors: Martínez, José Refugio, Cruz-Mendoza, José Ángel de la, Vázquez-Martínez, Emmanuel, Cruz, Daniel Romero de la, Guerrero, Azdrubal Lobo, Saucedo-Zárate, Gerardo, Arauz-Lara, José Luis, González-Aguilar, Hernán, Ortega-Zarzosa, Gerardo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
ENGINEERING, AEROSPACE
Hybrid propellant rocket engines
Induction systems
Magnetic induction heating
Paraffins
Propellant grains
Citations: Items that this one cites
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:ABSTRACT This work reports the development of an induction melting system for producing paraffin-based fuel units for hybrid rockets. The system is based in oscillating low-frequency magnetic field to generate heat within the material, enabling a precise temperature control through an on/off process. Additionally, the steel used as the material for fabricating the mold facilitates a slow cooling rate, leading to the formation of homogeneous paraffin fuel units free from cracks and microfractures, which is a critical requirement for their safe application in hybrid rockets and to ensure an efficient fuel combustion. The fabricated paraffin fuel units underwent rigorous characterization of their thermal, structural, and optical properties to ensure their suitability as fuel units in a hybrid rocket engine developed for the Mexican Cabo Tuna space program.
ISSN:2175-9146
2175-9146
DOI:10.1590/jatm.v16.1350