Effects of Non-Uniform Center-Flow Distribution and Cavitation on Continuous-Type Pintle Injectors

In this paper, the flow characteristics of a continuous-type liquid–liquid pintle injector are described, focusing on the differential impact of a non-uniform center-flow distribution on single- and bi-injection methodologies as well as the cavitation effect on the spray angle. Using cold-flow exper...

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Main Authors: Dongwoo Choi, Seunghyeon Lee, Kyubok Ahn
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Aerospace
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/11/10/847
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author Dongwoo Choi
Seunghyeon Lee
Kyubok Ahn
author_facet Dongwoo Choi
Seunghyeon Lee
Kyubok Ahn
author_sort Dongwoo Choi
collection DOAJ
description In this paper, the flow characteristics of a continuous-type liquid–liquid pintle injector are described, focusing on the differential impact of a non-uniform center-flow distribution on single- and bi-injection methodologies as well as the cavitation effect on the spray angle. Using cold-flow experiments, jet-type flows of the center propellant caused by a non-uniform flow distribution were observed during a single injection. This resulted in an augmented pressure drop, as opposed to the flow characteristics of uniform single-film injection. By contrast, bi-injection modalities exhibited a substantial reduction in the pressure drop of the center propellant, underscoring a more equitable flow distribution. Moreover, the occurrence of cavitation in the center propellant was found to markedly affect the spray angle. By considering the injection exit area reduction caused by cavitation, the spray-angle prediction accuracy increased. The findings of this study are expected to reveal the interplay between flow distribution and pressure drop as well as that between cavitation and the spray angle in pintle injectors. Through this understanding, this study provides crucial considerations for the development of more efficient propulsion systems.
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spelling doaj-art-81d65f3f35ce4cacb6be6463e7a27fca2025-08-20T02:11:01ZengMDPI AGAerospace2226-43102024-10-01111084710.3390/aerospace11100847Effects of Non-Uniform Center-Flow Distribution and Cavitation on Continuous-Type Pintle InjectorsDongwoo Choi0Seunghyeon Lee1Kyubok Ahn2School of Mechanical Engineering, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Chungbuk, Republic of KoreaSchool of Mechanical Engineering, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Chungbuk, Republic of KoreaSchool of Mechanical Engineering, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Chungbuk, Republic of KoreaIn this paper, the flow characteristics of a continuous-type liquid–liquid pintle injector are described, focusing on the differential impact of a non-uniform center-flow distribution on single- and bi-injection methodologies as well as the cavitation effect on the spray angle. Using cold-flow experiments, jet-type flows of the center propellant caused by a non-uniform flow distribution were observed during a single injection. This resulted in an augmented pressure drop, as opposed to the flow characteristics of uniform single-film injection. By contrast, bi-injection modalities exhibited a substantial reduction in the pressure drop of the center propellant, underscoring a more equitable flow distribution. Moreover, the occurrence of cavitation in the center propellant was found to markedly affect the spray angle. By considering the injection exit area reduction caused by cavitation, the spray-angle prediction accuracy increased. The findings of this study are expected to reveal the interplay between flow distribution and pressure drop as well as that between cavitation and the spray angle in pintle injectors. Through this understanding, this study provides crucial considerations for the development of more efficient propulsion systems.https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/11/10/847liquid–liquid pintle injectorcontinuous-type pintle tipnon-uniform flow distributionflow characteristicscavitation
spellingShingle Dongwoo Choi
Seunghyeon Lee
Kyubok Ahn
Effects of Non-Uniform Center-Flow Distribution and Cavitation on Continuous-Type Pintle Injectors
Aerospace
liquid–liquid pintle injector
continuous-type pintle tip
non-uniform flow distribution
flow characteristics
cavitation
title Effects of Non-Uniform Center-Flow Distribution and Cavitation on Continuous-Type Pintle Injectors
title_full Effects of Non-Uniform Center-Flow Distribution and Cavitation on Continuous-Type Pintle Injectors
title_fullStr Effects of Non-Uniform Center-Flow Distribution and Cavitation on Continuous-Type Pintle Injectors
title_full_unstemmed Effects of Non-Uniform Center-Flow Distribution and Cavitation on Continuous-Type Pintle Injectors
title_short Effects of Non-Uniform Center-Flow Distribution and Cavitation on Continuous-Type Pintle Injectors
title_sort effects of non uniform center flow distribution and cavitation on continuous type pintle injectors
topic liquid–liquid pintle injector
continuous-type pintle tip
non-uniform flow distribution
flow characteristics
cavitation
url https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/11/10/847
work_keys_str_mv AT dongwoochoi effectsofnonuniformcenterflowdistributionandcavitationoncontinuoustypepintleinjectors
AT seunghyeonlee effectsofnonuniformcenterflowdistributionandcavitationoncontinuoustypepintleinjectors
AT kyubokahn effectsofnonuniformcenterflowdistributionandcavitationoncontinuoustypepintleinjectors