Abstract
A computer model was developed to simulate the transient operation of a hypothetical endothermic fuel cooling system. The model simulated the performance of a cross-flow, shell and tube heat exchanger. This model was applied to a representative high Mach number vehicle mission for which heat load and fuel rate profiles were known. The effects of various design and operating variables on the heat sink capacity, fuel composition, and fuel temperatures throughout the mission were determined using the model. Results for representative operating conditions showed that, for transient operation, the heat sink, fuel temperature, and conversion fraction will be much lower than the thermodynamic analysis predicts. Heat sink capacity may not be adequate in regions of high heat loads and low fuel flow rates. Design and operation of the transient heat exchanger/reactor will be critical to the successful operation of an endothennic fuel cooling system. Transient analysis and experimentation will be required for the development of successful endothermic fuel cooling and combustion systems.
Williams, Mark Robert (1993). Modeling the transient operation of an endothermic fuel cooling system for high Mach number vehicle missions. Master's thesis, Texas A&M University. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /ETD -TAMU -1993 -THESIS -W725.