Monopropellant Exhaust Gas Manifold Study
Department
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Major
Aerospace Engineering
Research Advisor
Rovey, Joshua L.
Advisor's Department
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Funding Source
NASA-Missouri Space Grant Consortium
Abstract
In the study of a dual-mode plasma space propulsion concept combining the benefits of chemical and electrical propulsion in a single monopropellant system, the observation of plasma formation in monopropellant exhaust gas mixtures is necessary. This demands a manifold system capable of delivering varying mixtures of N2, CO2, and H2O into a vacuum chamber, and interfacing with the current laboratory experiment equipment. The approach to this requirement was to design a system that regulates the three gases separately and, using mass flow controllers, mix the three gases before injecting them into the chamber. This task proved trivial for the N2 and CO2 gases, yet more challenging for the mixing of gaseous H2O. A number of hardware solutions were investigated in the interest of designing the least expensive system possible. The result is a manifold system meeting the requirements and allowing for continued study.
Biography
Matt is a Junior student currently in pursuit of an Aerospace Engineering Bachelor's degree, with a minor in Physics. He has enjoyed a very successful academic career thus far. Outside of the curriculum, he is involved in the Missouri Satellite Project student research team on campus at Missouri S& T, developing a small satellite. He is also conducting undergraduate research in the space propulsion field in the Aerospace Plasma Laboratory on campus. Matt has plans to attend graduate school for a Masters degree in the Aerospace Engineering field following graduation in May 2014. His research interests lie mainly in the field of electric space propulsion, and its application to small satellites.
Research Category
Engineering
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Document Type
Poster
Location
Upper Atrium/Hallway
Presentation Date
03 Apr 2013, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Monopropellant Exhaust Gas Manifold Study
Upper Atrium/Hallway
In the study of a dual-mode plasma space propulsion concept combining the benefits of chemical and electrical propulsion in a single monopropellant system, the observation of plasma formation in monopropellant exhaust gas mixtures is necessary. This demands a manifold system capable of delivering varying mixtures of N2, CO2, and H2O into a vacuum chamber, and interfacing with the current laboratory experiment equipment. The approach to this requirement was to design a system that regulates the three gases separately and, using mass flow controllers, mix the three gases before injecting them into the chamber. This task proved trivial for the N2 and CO2 gases, yet more challenging for the mixing of gaseous H2O. A number of hardware solutions were investigated in the interest of designing the least expensive system possible. The result is a manifold system meeting the requirements and allowing for continued study.
