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Cato
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How efficiently is the fuel burned in a typical liquid fuel rocket engine? I've heard numbers ranging from 95% to below 50%.
https://www.raeng.org.uk/publications/other/22-rocket-engine-bssc said:As such, we find that an optimum sp I is achieved at a value of O:F (oxidiser to fuel ratio) that is significantly lower than the stoichiometric ratio (please refer to Reference 7) for complete combustion. This leads to the presence of combustible products in the plume. These combustibles are here by design to enhance sp I , i.e. they should not be regarded as unburnt fuel. sp I is the main driver of hybrid rocket design rather than combustion efficiency.
Combustion efficiency refers to the percentage of fuel that is converted into energy through the process of combustion. It is a measure of how effectively a fuel is burned and how much energy is released.
Combustion efficiency is calculated by dividing the amount of energy produced by the fuel by the maximum amount of energy that could have been produced if the fuel had been completely burned.
Combustion efficiency is important for liquid fuel rockets because it directly affects the amount of thrust and energy that can be generated to propel the rocket. A higher combustion efficiency means more energy is produced and therefore the rocket can travel farther and faster.
The combustion efficiency of liquid fuel rockets can be affected by several factors, including the type and quality of fuel used, the design and condition of the rocket engine, and the ratio of fuel to oxidizer. Environmental conditions, such as temperature and pressure, can also impact combustion efficiency.
The combustion efficiency of liquid fuel rockets can be improved by using high-quality and efficient fuels, optimizing the design and operation of the rocket engine, and carefully controlling the fuel to oxidizer ratio. Extensive testing and research can also help identify and address any issues that may be affecting combustion efficiency.