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Post by britishrocket on Jun 16, 2012 9:03:25 GMT -5
Hello All,
I'm interested in finding out what ignition methods people are using, so I thought I'd start a new thread on that subject.
Who is using what? Spark plug, Augmented Spark ie torch, Pyrotechnic, Hypergols? Is anyone out there using hypergols? The mere thought terrifies me...
Maybe you just have a piece of nichrome up the throat a la Kryzcinki. Would be interesting to find out.
Best Wishes,
Carl.
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Post by turbochris on Jun 16, 2012 9:17:22 GMT -5
I've heard of hybrid N2O rockets that had some kind of catalyst that would cause the N2O to break down and the resulting heat was enough to ignite the solid fuel (i think rubber) Could something like this be throttled and/or restarted? Ernie has a lot of N2O.
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Post by ernie wrenn on Jun 16, 2012 9:54:33 GMT -5
From what I have seen, most are using a shot of starting fluid with cotton batten and a electric match or nichrome wire to set it off. Check a couple of Myth Busters... they did several rockets.
ernie
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Post by britishrocket on Jun 17, 2012 22:51:51 GMT -5
Hello Ernie and Chris, Thanks for replying to my thread. A catalyst sounds interesting. The nichrome idea is straight out of Krzycki...I spelled his name incorrectly in the first post...I'm sure he'll forgive me. I wonder if he is still out there somewhere? By starting fluid I assume you mean the stuff used to aid starting on diesel engines. I believe this to be mainly diethyl ether. A low autoignition temperature. Nitromethane, as used in glow plug "diesel" engines would probably have the same effect. Speaking of diesel engines, how about a glow plug? That is what I intend to use. There has been some research done which suggests this to be a safe and reliable means of ignition, as well as being easy to integrate:- ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20090015380_2009014467.pdfThese tests showed that a ceramic sheathed glow plug achieved a temperature of 1200K in about 7 sec with an applied voltage of about 8 V. Power consumption was 83W. The tests were done with a LOX/Methane combustor and a LOX lead was used. Ignition was successful across a range of mixture ratios, and more so when the plug tip was recessed. Presumably the inrush of propellants cooled the tip otherwise. I suspect that this would be safe and reliable, my two watchwords. I intend to design my configurable injector to incorporate a glow plug to see how it performs. Thanks again, Carl. |
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