• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.154-159
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• 2016

This paper presents an experimental study of the leakage performance and endurance performance of a mechanical face seal in the 7-ton-class turbopump of the Korea Space Launch Vehicle 2 third-stage engine. We install a mechanical face seal between the fuel pump and turbine to prevent the mixing of the fuel and turbine gas. We design and manufacture a prototype mechanical face seal, which has two parts, namely, a bellows seal assembly and mating ring. We set up a test facility to measure the leakage and endurance of the mechanical face seal. For the similarity tests, we use water under real operating conditions such as high rotational speed, high temperature, and high pressure. Through investigation of the leakage and carbon wear rate, it is possible to evaluate the performance of the mechanical face seal. The results of the leakage and endurance performance test demonstrate the absence of any leakage from the prototype mechanical face seal after a trial run and clarify that the acceptable wear rate fully satisfies the turbopump requirements. Finally, we install a qualified mechanical face seal in a 7-ton-class turbopump and perform a validation test in the turbopump real-propellant test facility in the Korea Aerospace Research Institute. The test results confirm that the mechanical face seal works well under real operating conditions.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers Conference
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• 2017.05a
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• pp.1016-1020
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• 2017

This study was conducted to develop a test facility that simulates the combustion instability that occurs in a real-scale liquid rocket combustor. A separate engine head with 3 injectors arranged in a row was designed/manufactured and verified through preliminary tests. The flow rate and spray pattern of the head were confirmed by the cold flow test. Next, propellant spray test and combustion test were carried out. A preliminary combustion test was carried out at 10 bar and the combustion chamber pressure was measured to be significantly lower than the target pressure. This is because it was a low pressure test, and it is expected to be resolved in the high pressure test in the future.

• The KSFM Journal of Fluid Machinery
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.5-10
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• 2016

Gas flow measurement in a closed duct was performed using multi-point Pitot tubes. Measurement uncertainty was assessed for this measurement method. The method was applied for the measurement of air flow into a gas turbine engine in an altitude engine test facility. 46 Pitot tubes, 15 total temperature Kiel probes and 9 static pressure tabs were installed in the engine inlet duct of inner diameter of 264 mm. Five tests were done in an airflow range of 2~10 kg/s. The flow was compressible and the Reynolds numbers were between 450,000 and 2,220,000. The measurement uncertainty was the highest as 6.1% for the lowest flow rate, and lowest as 0.8% for the highest flow rate. This is because the difference between the total and static pressures, which is also related to the flow velocity, becomes almost zero for low flow rate cases. It was found that this measurement method can be used only when the flow velocity is relatively high, e.g., 50 m/s. Static pressure was the most influencing parameter on the flow rate measurement uncertainty. Temperature measurement uncertainty was not very important. Measurement of boundary layer was found to be important for this type of flow rate measurement method. But measurement of flow non-uniformity was not very important provided that the non-uniformity has random behavior in the duct.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers Conference
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• v.y2005m4
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• pp.318-321
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• 2005

The design and performance test of a low NOx gas turbine combustor to be used in 55kW class micro-gasturbine engine was performed in KARI's combustion test facility. The combustor is reverse flow-can type for easy installation of injector and other parts and LNG is used as fuel. The performance targets are $99.5\%$ combustion efficiency, less 10ppm NOx, $30\%$ patten factor and $4\%$ pressure loss. Most of the performances required are satisfied.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers Conference
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• 2003.05a
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• pp.171-176
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• 2003

A Test Facility was established to carry out the integrated propulsion performance tests(IPPT). To perform IPPT's with maximum safety, an emergency blockage system was investigated. An emergency blockage system using combustion chamber pressure and acceleration signals was set up to monitor ignition delay and fail, flame out, propellant feeding status, unstable combustion and excessive structural vibration. With such system, the maximum safety could be secured by rapid judgement and follow-up measures, which made IPPT's be safely completed.

• The KSFM Journal of Fluid Machinery
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• v.8 no.6 s.33
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• pp.26-32
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• 2005

1.6 MW class supersonic partial admission impulse turbine has been designed and tested in Korea Aerospace Research Institute for the liquid rocket engine application. The test has been performed using a high pressure air source facility in KARI. For the turbine power absorption, a hydraulic dynamometer has been used. Appropriate similarity relations are used for the determination of test condition. Various settings of turbine pressure ratio and rotational speed are tested to investigate global turbine characteristics. From measured data, parameters related to the turbine design are derived and validated.

• 유체기계공업학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2004.12a
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• pp.125-131
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• 2004

1.6 MW class supersonic partial admission impulse turbine has been designed and tested in Korea Aerospace Research Institute for the liquid rocket engine application. The test has been performed using a high pressure air source facility in KARI. For the turbine power absorption, a hydraulic dynamometer is used. Appropriate similarity relations are used for the determination of test condition. Various settings of turbine pressure ratio and rotational speed are tested to investigate global turbine characteristics. From measured data, Parameters related to the turbine design are derived and validated.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.20 no.10
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• pp.100-106
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• 2019

Ground and high altitude simulated combustion experiments were conducted using a liquid rocket engine with hydrogen peroxide and kerosene as the propellant. A ground and high altitude simulated combustion test facility was constructed by installing a high altitude model diffuser and TMS (Thrust Measuring System) on a vertical combustion test bench. The thrust characteristics according to altitude were investigated using the combustion test equipment. The diffuser was designed on a 1:4.8 scale to verify the characteristics of the high diffusing diffuser and starting pressure. The cold flow tests were conducted using nitrogen gas, and the performance characteristics and starting characteristics of the scale down diffuser were verified. A diffuser and TMS were installed on the vertical combustion test bench, and the thrust correction equations for the system resistance were derived. The thrust correction equations were derived from the step test and vacuum step test before the actual hot firing test. Nozzles with an operating altitude of 10km were designed. Hot firing tests were conducted to analyze the thrust characteristics according to the operating altitude changes. The actual thrust was calculated using each correction equation with the thrust value measured by the TMS.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers Conference
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• 2008.03a
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• pp.437-441
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• 2008

A non-toxic Post Boost Stage(PBS) with LOX/Ethanol engine was successfully demonstrated at the Tomioka Facility of IHI Aerospace. IHI Aerospace has researched and developed the nontoxic propulsion systems and the LOX/Ethanol is one of the most attractive non-toxic bipropellant candidates. ${\rho}ISP$ of LOX/Ethanol is higher than ${\rho}ISP$ of the other non-toxic bipropellants as LOX/HC or $LOX/LH_2$. The authors studied the combustion characteristics of LOX/Ethanol propellant with the engine designed for LOX/LNG propellant. Also the injector with a built-in igniter was designed and examined its feasibility, ignition and combustion characteristics. We have demonstrated Post Boost Stage with future LOX/Ethanol engines. This propulsion system is targeted for expandable vehicle upper stage to accelerate delta-V to reach the required orbit. PBS Demonstration Model is designed as a test stand to evaluate feed system for integrated propulsion system and also to demonstrate Integrated Vehicle Health Management(IVHM) technique using local valve control and also valve behavior-monitoring capability.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers Conference
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• 2009.11a
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• pp.97-100
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• 2009

Cold flow and ignition tests were performed for a technology demonstration model of a 75-tonf thrust chamber which is a candidate liquid rocket engine for a next Korea Space Launch Vehicle. The test facility was modified to support the new concepts of the thrust chamber such as ignition system, film cooling and LOx leading supply. The hydrodynamic characteristics of the supply pipelines, thrust chamber and igniter as well as the filling time of the propellants were obtained through the cold flow tests on the LOx and kerosene and the ignition cyclogram was determined using the results. The ignition test was successfully accomplished according to the cyclogram and therefore, a basic information was obtained for further hot firing tests.