[AR] Re: [UK OFFICIAL] CopSub HEAT2X static test - first bulletin
- From: "Stephen Burns" <stephen.burns@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <arocket@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 21 Aug 2014 23:35:29 +0800
On Thu, 21 Aug 2014 13:05:44 +0100
Aplin Alexander T <ATAPLIN@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
"The day progressed according to plan up to and including pre-stage,
>the step where small amounts of LOX and alcohol are injected into the
>chamber to be ignited. We progressed to main stage, and lo-and behold,
>the inner surface of the nozzle imploded. This lead to the alcohol fuel
>being dumped directly into the exhaust flame, and as a result an
>alcohol fire broke out around the booster, aborting the test."
>
http://copsub.com/heat2x-static-test-first-bulletin/
>
A (maybe stupid) question: Wouldn't hydro-testing reveal the nozzle
>weakness?
It sounds like this is a regen cooled engine and the pressure in the cooling
passages caused the chamber to collapse inward. It's the differential
pressure between the cooling passages and chamber that causes this so in
order for a hydro test to catch this you would have to seal the injector
somehow. A normal hydro test where you plug the nozzle wouldn't catch it.
It's a hard test to do and they are not the first group this has happened
to.
Robert C Steinke
The metal may also have exceeded design temperature and become softer than
expected.
Burnsie
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