DefinePK

Abstract

The method introduced in this paper aims to find a feasible method to evaluate the static thrust of a “valveless” pulsejet, starting from a CAD model. CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamic) simulation and golden section were used for this purpose. Even for new pulsejet designs, it is possible to evaluate the pulsating frequency from equations available in literature or with a mono-dimensional pressure wave model. Then the combustion energy should be introduced in the engine. In this CFD model, the heat flow due to the combustion is simulated through the application of a pulsating flow of hot gases through the walls of the combustion chamber. To minimize the error of this added flow, a stoichiometric combustion of pure oxygen is introduced. The temperature value of the hot gases was optimized with the Golden Section Method in order to obtain the same experimental results of the Department of Aerospace Engineering of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo [2]. In this way, it is possible to evaluate the performance of a new design of different geometry and size. In fact, a flow with the same temperature can be introduced through the wall of the combustion chamber. The mass flow rate can be trimmed to obtain a mass balance between the incoming and the outgoing gases. In this way, the thrust can be calculated. The fuel type is not very influent for pulsejet performance.