Rotating Detonation Engines: Future of Rocket Propulsion

Hareendran M. R., Jesna Jenson Pukkoden, Nikhil Christy Joy, Sangeeth Krishnan N.G, Santo K. Johny

Abstract


Almost all of the rocket engines in use today are chemical rockets. These engines have high thrust to weight ratio, but they have very low specific impulse and use of heavier chemicals leads to a reduced exhaust velocity and higher emissions. Even though alternative fuels have been used, the mass of propellant required remains an issue. Therefore, methods that can replace chemical propulsion have been researched and developed, like electric propulsion, solar sails, laser propulsion and nuclear propulsion. However, there is still significant potential in chemical rocket engine fuels and more efficient engine designs. Considering dependency on chemical rockets in coming years, development of Rotating Detonation Engines (RDE), which uses detonation instead of deflagration combustion is quite significant and can be considered to be the future of chemical rocket propulsion. This paper reviews the design aspects of RDE and highlights its advantage over the conventional rocket engines, due to increased thermal efficiency and pressure gain.

Keywords


Engine fuels, conventional rocket engines, pressure gain, rotating detonation engines, rocket propulsion

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References


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.37628/ijicegt.v6i2.1187

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