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joaquinwalkin
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What airspeed do I need to ignite a ramjet?
joaquinwalkin said:I was thinking about the airspeed of the vehicle, but both airspeeds would be appreciated (vehicle and combustion chamber). So with a state of the art ramjet what would be those speeds to ignite with 60% efficiency. And if you don't mind say the vehicle weighs 500 pounds and is carrying 1,000 pounds of fuel (1,500 pounds total weight) how long would it take it to accelerate to maximum efficiency. What is maximum efficiency for a state of the art ramjet? And are they rated in specific impulse or pounds of thrust?
Thank-you very much.
joaquinwalkin said:Thanks, but I don't consider wikipedia a reliable source of information.
A ramjet engine is a type of air-breathing jet engine that operates by using the forward motion of the aircraft to compress incoming air without the use of rotating compressor blades.
Ramjet ignition works by using the compressed air from the inlet to ignite the fuel. As the air enters the combustion chamber, it is mixed with fuel and ignited, creating a continuous cycle of combustion.
The minimum airspeed for a ramjet engine to operate is typically around Mach 2. However, this can vary depending on the specific design and size of the engine.
Some advantages of using a ramjet engine include its simplicity and lightweight design, as well as its ability to operate at high speeds and altitudes. Ramjet engines also have a higher thrust-to-weight ratio compared to other jet engines, making them more efficient.
One limitation of ramjet engine technology is that it requires a high initial speed to start operating, which means it cannot be used for takeoff and must be accelerated by another engine. It also has a limited operating range and is not suitable for use in low-speed or stationary applications.