Analysis on Ablation of KL-3 Engine Nozzle Throat Using Image Analysis

영상분석을 통한 KL-3 엔진 노즐목 삭마 경향 분석

In this research, authors tried to measure the shape of the nozzle throat of KL-3 engines, which is the main engine of KSR-III rocket, to find the increase of nozzle area caused by the thermal ablation. For the purpose, we invented an image-based method instead of the 3D pointer, which is actually inaccessible to such large scale engines. As a result, our equipment showed satisfactory accuracy and performance. Analysing the results of experiments, we find that the pattern of ablation is determined by the spray pattern and that the process of thermal ablation phenomena can be categorized in three regimes - the first regime that the shape of nozzle throat is maintained and ablation is negligible, the second regime that saw-tooth form is developed and ablation is accelerated, and the third regime that the saw-tooth form is already established and the growth of ablation rate is reduced. Also, we find that the ratio of area increase after 60 seconds combustion is +5.82% and conclude that this figure is acceptable and satisfactory.