Experimental Investigation on Pulsejet Engines

Abstract

The primary objective of this research was to experimentally validate the performance of the flares and find an optimal geometry. A computational model of the 50cm jet was used by was Tao Geng to investigate the fundamental principle and operation of a pulsejet with flares.He obtained results that noticed a significant increase in thrust for a particular Area Ratio (AR) and decreased as Area Ratio (AR) increased. This particular Area Ratio (AR = 2) of flare (Optimum) was greater than that of the Hobby Scale Jet, which had an Area Ratio of 1.4. Flares with various Area Ratios (AR = 2,1.4,3.24 and 1) were machined as attachments, which would fit onto the pulsejet, for investigation. Thrust, combustion chamber pressure and Thrust Specific Fuel Consumption (TSFC) were measured for all the cases and compared to the values for the Hobby Scale Pulsejet, to ascertain performance variations.Also experiments were done which included development of a reliable method of thrust measurement and implementation of this method for the augmenter studies on the 50cm pulsejet.Finally development of an unconventional conceptual pulsejet (based on Helmholtz Resonator) and operation of a 1 meter Valved Pulsejet is pursued.