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    Development, Modeling, Simulation, and Testing of a Novel Propane-Fueled Brayton-Gluhareff Cycle Acoustically-Pressurized Ramjet Engine

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    Bramlette_ku_0099D_14625_DATA_1.pdf (88.60Mb)
    MATLAB Code to Generate Apparent Temperature Plots (2.266Kb)
    MATLAB Code to Approximately Size a Pressure Jet Engine (10.70Kb)
    CONVERGE Input Files to run Adiabatic Simulation of Pressure Jet Engine (284.3Kb)
    CONVERGE Input Files to run a Wall Heat Loss Simulation of Pressure Jet Engine (284.6Kb)
    CONVERGE Input Files to run a Full Detailed Mechanism Simulation of the Spherical Chamber at Phi = 1.10 (28.03Kb)
    CONVERGE Input Files to run a Reduced Mechanism Simulation of the Spherical Chamber at Phi = 1.10 (27.45Kb)
    Issue Date
    2016-05-31
    Author
    Bramlette, Richard
    Publisher
    University of Kansas
    Format
    591 pages
    Type
    Dissertation
    Degree Level
    Ph.D.
    Discipline
    Mechanical Engineering
    Rights
    Copyright held by the author.
    Metadata
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    Abstract
    In the 1950s, Eugene Gluhareff built the first working “pressure jet” engine, a variation on the classical ramjet engine with a pressurized inlet system relying on sonic tuning which allowed operation at subsonic speeds. The engine was an unqualified success. Unfortunately, after decades of sales and research, Gluhareff passed away leaving behind no significant published studies of the engine or detailed analysis of its operation. The design was at serious risk of being lost to history. This dissertation is intended to address that risk by studying a novel subscale modification of Gluhareff’s original design operating on the same principles. Included is a background of related engine and how the pressure jet is distinct. The preliminary sizing of a pressure jet using closed-form expressions is then discussed followed by a review of propane oxidation modeling, how it integrates into the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) solver, and the modeling of the pressure jet engine cycle with CFD. The simulation was matched to experimental data recorded on a purpose-built test stand recording chamber pressure, exhaust speed (via a Pitot/static system), temperatures, and thrust force. The engine CFD simulation produced a wide range of qualitative results that matched the experimental data well and suggested strong recirculation flows through the engine confirming suspicions about how the engine operates. Engine operating frequency between CFD and experiment also showed good agreement and appeared to be driven by the “Kadenacy Effect.” The research effort lastly opens the door for further study of the engine cycle, the use of pressurized intakes to produce static thrust in a ramjet engine, the Gluhareff pressure jet’s original geometry, and a wide array of potential applications. A roadmap of further study and applications is detailed including a modeling and testing of larger engines.
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/1808/23515
    Collections
    • Engineering Dissertations and Theses [1055]
    • Dissertations [4321]

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    785-864-8983
    KU Libraries
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    785-864-8983

    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
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    Contact KU ScholarWorks
    785-864-8983
    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    785-864-8983

    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    Image Credits
     

     

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