Research on ramjet-mode combustion organization by using vaporized kerosene injection in RBCC combustor

Considering the active cooling requirement of RBCC engine under ramjet mode, researches on combustion organization based on vaporized kerosene injection in RBCC combustor have been performed. Under the low total temperature of incoming airflow condition at ramjet mode, the reliable ignition and stable combustion of secondary kerosene fuel by using low mass flowrate fuel-rich primary rocket plume as piloting flame has been accomplished. Moreover, the peak pressure in the combustor by injecting supercritical kerosene increased about 10% in comparison of room temperature kerosene. Meanwhile, when primary rocket was closed, flameholding was only achieved by using supercritical kerosene injection. The CFD simulation has been employed to obtain the detailed information of flowfield characteristics and combustion organization in RBCC combustor under different fuel injection strategies, which provides fundamental basis for further optimizing engine performance. The results indicate that the thermal coking in the expansion flowpath has been formed due to the concentrated heat release behind the strut injectors. Reasonable heat release distribution along the combustor by changing fuel split is important to achieve high combustion efficiency.