Ramjet Compression System for a Hypersonic Air Transportation Vehicle Combined Cycle Engine

Sasha Veeran, Apostolos Pesyridis and Lionel Ganippa
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Sasha Veeran: Centre of Advanced Powertrain and Fuels (CAPF), Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, Brunel University London, Middlesex UB8 3PH, UK
Apostolos Pesyridis: Centre of Advanced Powertrain and Fuels (CAPF), Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, Brunel University London, Middlesex UB8 3PH, UK
Lionel Ganippa: Centre of Advanced Powertrain and Fuels (CAPF), Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, Brunel University London, Middlesex UB8 3PH, UK

Energies, 2018, vol. 11, issue 10, 1-22

Abstract: This report assesses the performance characteristics of a ramjet compression system in the application of a hypersonic vehicle. The vehicle is required to be self-powered and perform a complete flight profile using a combination of turbojet, ramjet and scramjet propulsion systems. The ramjet has been designed to operate between Mach 2.5 to Mach 5 conditions, allowing for start-up of the scramjet engine. Multiple designs, including varying ramp configurations and turbo-ramjet combinations, were investigated to evaluate their merits and limitations. Challenges arose with attempting to maintain sufficient pressure recoveries and favourable flow characteristics into the ramjet combustor. The results provide an engine inlet design capable of propelling the vehicle between the turbojet and scramjet phase of flight, allowing for the completion of its mission profile. Compromises in the design, however, had to be made in order to allow for optimisation of other propulsion systems including the scramjet nozzle and aerodynamics of the vehicle; it was concluded that these compromises were justified as the vehicle uses the ramjet engine for a minority of the flight profile as it transitions between low supersonic to hypersonic conditions.

Keywords: ramjet; scramjet; hypersonic; combustion; hypersonic engine integration; combined cycle engine; CFD (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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