CAE340 Rocket Propulsion Syllabus:

CAE340 Rocket Propulsion Syllabus – Anna University Regulation 2021

COURSE OBJECTIVES

• To make students understand the basic operating principle of rocket propulsion.
• To make students understand the parameter required to estimate the performance of rockets
• To impart knowledge to students on different types of rocket propulsion systems
• To learn the concepts of rocket propulsion applications areas and disadvantages
• To expose the students on the methods of multi-staging of rocket vehicles and on the technologies for rocket control using aerodynamic and jet control means

UNIT- I: INTERNAL BALLISTICS OF ROCKETS

Reaction principle – Rocket performance parameters – specific impulse – Schematic diagrams of solid, liquid and hybrid rocket propulsion systems – Equilibrium chamber pressure – Thrust equation – Characteristic velocity and thrust coefficient – Rocket performance assessment

UNIT-II: SOLID ROCKET PROPULSION

Selection criteria of solid propellants – Types of solid propellants – Propellant ingredients – Solid propellant regression rate and factors influencing the regression rate – Solid propellant grain configurations – Progressive, regressive and neutral burning of grains- Solid rocket igniters – Basics of solid propellant combustion and combustion instability – Erosive burning – Pressure and regression rate relationship

UNIT-III: LIQUID ROCKET PROPULSION

Types of liquid propellant combinations – Gas pressure and turbopump fed pressurization systems for liquid propellant rockets – Liquid rocket injectors and water testing – Liquid rocket cooling methods – Basic aspects of thrust chamber design – Thrust control – Advantages of liquid rockets over solid rockets – Combustion instability – Cryogenic rocket engines – Propellant slosh

UNIT-IV: HYBRID ROCKET PROPULSION

Standard and reverse hybrid systems – Combustion mechanism in hybrid rockets –Limitations and applications of hybrid rockets – Solid grain configurations in hybrid rockets-Solid grain regression rate behavior along the grain length – Local regression rate estimation – Material combinations for hybrid rocket propellants- Estimation of hybrid rocket performance – Performance comparison with solid and liquid rocket systems

UNIT-V: STAGING AND STEERING OF ROCKETS

Need for multi-staging of rocket vehicles – different types of multi-staging – staging optimization methods – estimation of staging performance – stage separation methods in atmosphere and in space -steering methods for rockets – aerodynamic control based steering – types – merits and limitations – jet control based steering – thrust vector control methods – merits and limitations of these methods

COURSE OUTCOMES:

Upon completion of the course students
CO1: will explain the basic principles and develop interest to join aerospace industry as a scientist/engineer
CO2: will be able to develop skills and apply them for conceptual designs of rocket propulsion systems as a design team member
CO3: will be able to evaluate the performance parameters of rocket propulsion systems and can suggest alternate designs if needed
CO4: will be able to decribe the advanced technology concepts like cryogenic rocket technology and be able to create preliminary designs of solid-cryogenic multi-stage configurations
CO5: will be able to adapt himself/herself to aerospace industry by the acquired knowledge and apply skills in the preliminary design of rocket subsystems

TEXT BOOKS:

01. David H. Heiser and David T. Pratt., “Hypersonic Air breathing Propulsion”, AIAA Education Series, 1999.
02. Mathur, M.L. and Sharma, R.P., “Gas Turbine, Jet and Rocket Propulsion”, Standard Publishers & Distributors, Delhi, 2nd edition 2014.
03. Sutton, G.P., “Rocket Propulsion Elements”, John Wiley & Sons; 8th Edition 2010

REFERENCES:

01. Martin J. Chiaverini and Kenneth K. Kuo, “Fundamentals of Hybrid Rocket Combustion and Propulsion”, Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics, 2007.
02. Ramamurthi K, “Rocket Propulsion”, Macmillian publishers India Ltd, 1st edition, 2010.