Name: combustion characterization and model fuel development for micro-tubular flame-assisted fuel cells
Uploaded: 2016-10-02T15:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Combustion Characterization and Model Fuel Development for Micro-tubular Flame-assisted Fuel Cells at JoVE.com

This work is supported by an agreement with Syracuse University awarded by the Syracuse Center of Excellence in Energy and Environmental Systems with funding under prime award number DE-EE0006031 from the US Department of Energy and matching funding under award number 53367 from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), contract 61736 from NYSERDA, and an award from Empire State Development's Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR) through the Syracuse Center of Excellence, under award number #C120183. This work is supported by the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program under Grant No. 1247399.

1. Combustion Calculations
<ol>
	<li>Select fuel for analysis. Here, choose methane as the reference fuel, but the principles are transferable to other hydrocarbon fuels.</li>
	<li>With 1 mole of methane as the fuel, balance equation (1) for stoichiometric combustion to get equation (2). 
	<img alt="Equation 1" src="/files/ftp_upload/54638/54638eq1.jpg" /> 
	<img alt="Equation 2" src="/files/ftp_upload/54638/54638eq2.jpg" /></li>
	<li>Calculate the fuel-air ratio for stoichiometric (F/Astoich.) as ...

<ol>
	<li>Gorte, R. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Recent+developments+towards+commercialization+of+solid+oxide+fuel+cells.">Recent developments towards commercialization of solid oxide fuel cells.</a> AIChE J. 51 (9), 2377-2381 (2005).</li><li>Milcarek, R. J., Wang, K., Falkenstein-Smith, R. L., Ahn, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Micro-tubular+flame-assisted+fuel+cells+for+micro-combined+heat+and+power+systems.">Micro-tubular flame-assisted fuel cells for micro-combined heat and power systems.</a> J. Power Sources. 306, 148-151 (2016).</li><li>Horiuchi, M., Suganuma, S., Watanabe, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Electrochemical+power+generation+directly+from+combustion+flame+of+gases,+liquids,+and+solids.">Electrochemical power generation directly from combustion flame of gases, liquids, and solids.</a> J. Electrochem. Soc. 151 (9), A1402-A1405 (2004).</li><li>Starik, A. M., Kuleshov, P. S., Loukhovitski, B. I., Titova, N. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Theoretical+study+of+partial+oxidation+of+methane+by+non-equilibrium+oxygen+plasma+to+produce+hydrogen+rich+syngas.">Theoretical study of partial oxidation of methane by non-equilibrium oxygen plasma to produce hydrogen rich syngas.</a> Int. J. Hydrogen Energy. 40 (32), 9872-9884 (2015).</li><li>Katta, V. R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=On+flames+established+with+jet+in+cross+flow+of+fuel-rich+combustion.">On flames established with jet in cross flow of fuel-rich combustion.</a> Fuel. 150, 360-369 (2015).</li><li>Maruta, K., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Extinction+limits+of+catalytic+combustion+in+microchannels.">Extinction limits of catalytic combustion in microchannels.</a> P. Combustion Institute. 29 (1), 957-963 (2002).</li><li>Ahn, J., Eastwood, C., Sitzki, L., Ronney, P. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Gas-phase+and+catalytic+combustion+in+heat-recirculating+burners.">Gas-phase and catalytic combustion in heat-recirculating burners.</a> P. Combustion Institute. 30 (2), 2463-2472 (2005).</li><li>K&#1255;hler, M., O&#223;wald, P., Xu, H., Kathrotia, T., Hasse, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Speciation+data+for+fuel-rich+methane+oxy-combustion+and+reforming+under+prototypical+partial+oxidation+conditions.">Speciation data for fuel-rich methane oxy-combustion and reforming under prototypical partial oxidation conditions.</a> Chemical Engineering Science. 139, 249-260 (2016).</li><li>Ahn, J., Ronney, P. D., Shao, Z., Haile, S. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+thermally+self-sustaining+miniature+solid+oxide+fuel+cell.">A thermally self-sustaining miniature solid oxide fuel cell.</a> J. Fuel Cell Science and Technology. 6 (4), 041004 (2009).</li><li>Wang, K., Milcarek, R. J., Zeng, P., Ahn, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Flame-assisted+fuel+cells+running+methane.">Flame-assisted fuel cells running methane.</a> Int. J. Hydrogen Energy. 40 (13), 4659-4665 (2015).</li><li>Wang, K., Zeng, P., Ahn, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=High+performance+direct+flame+fuel+cell+using+a+propane+flame.">High performance direct flame fuel cell using a propane flame.</a> P. Combust. Inst. 32 (2), 3431-3437 (2011).</li><li>Wang, Y. Q., Shi, Y. X., Yu, X. K., Cai, N. S., Li, S. Q. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Integration+of+solid+oxide+fuel+cells+with+multi-element+diffusion+flame+burners.">Integration of solid oxide fuel cells with multi-element diffusion flame burners.</a> J. Electochem. Soc. 160 (11), F1241-F1244 (2013).</li><li>Horiuchi, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Performance+of+a+solid+oxide+fuel+cell+couple+operated+via+in+situ+catalytic+partial+oxidation+of+n-butane.">Performance of a solid oxide fuel cell couple operated via in situ catalytic partial oxidation of n-butane.</a> J. Power Sources. 189 (2), 950-957 (2009).</li><li>Wang, Y., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+study+of+portable+direct-flame+solid+oxide+fuel+cell+(DF-SOFC)+stack+with+butane+fuel.">The study of portable direct-flame solid oxide fuel cell (DF-SOFC) stack with butane fuel.</a> J. Fuel Chem. Technol. 42 (9), 1135-1139 (2014).</li><li>Wang, K., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+high-performance+no-chamber+fuel+cell+operated+on+ethanol+flame.">A high-performance no-chamber fuel cell operated on ethanol flame.</a> J. Power Sources. 177 (1), 33-39 (2008).</li><li>Sun, L., Hao, Y., Zhang, C., Ran, R., Shao, Z. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Coking-free+direct-methanol-flame+fuel+cell+with+traditional+nickel-cermet+anode.">Coking-free direct-methanol-flame fuel cell with traditional nickel-cermet anode.</a> Int. J. Hydrogen Energy. 35 (15), 7971-7981 (2010).</li><li>Zeng, P., Wang, K., Falkenstein-Smith, R. L., Ahn, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Effects+of+sintering+temperature+on+the+performance+of+SrSc0.1Co0.9O3-&#948;+oxygen+semipermeable+membrane.">Effects of sintering temperature on the performance of SrSc0.1Co0.9O3-&#948; oxygen semipermeable membrane.</a> Braz. J. Chem. Eng. 32 (3), 757-765 (2015).</li><li>Turns, S. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> An Introduction to Combustion: Concepts and Applications. , (2000).</li><li>Glassman, I., Yetter, R. A., Glumac, N. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Combustion. , (2015).</li></ol>

The protocol discussed here is an important bridge between previous combustion characterization research and fuel cell testing. The use of combustion for fuel reforming and fuel cell testing has been applied for several years in DFFC setups10-15. However, the characterization of the combustion process in DFFCs is primarily concerned with in-situ characterization of the flame composition16 and uses a MS8. As the DFFC is open to the ambient, the exhaust composition consists mostly ...

Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) innovations have been reported in recent years as the technology continues to develop. Among the many advantages, SOFCs have become known for high fuel efficiency, low emissions and moderate fuel flexibility compared to other combustion based power generation techniques1. Furthermore, SOFCs are scalable allowing for high fuel efficiency even at small scales. Unfortunately, limitations in current hydrogen infrastructure have created a need for fuel reforming systems that are often inefficient. A recent development is the micro-tubular flame-assisted fuel cell (mT-FFC) reported in the author&#39;s previous work2. The mT-FFC is the first example of a flame-assisted fuel cell (FFC) that builds on the benefits of the original direct flame fuel cell (DFFC), which provides heat generation and fuel reforming via combustion3. The DFFC setup places a SOFC in direct contact with a flame open to the ambient environment. The flame partially oxidizes heavier hydrocarbon fuels to create H2 and CO, which can be used directly in the SOFC with less potential for carbon coking compared to pure methane or other heavier hydrocarbons. In addition, the flame provides the thermal energy needed to bring the SOFC to its operating temperature. A recent change to the original DFFC occurred by moving the SOFC out of the flame region and channeling the combustion exhaust to the SOFC to create the FFC2. Unlike the DFFC, the combustion occurs in a partially enclosed chamber (instead of the ambient) so that the fuel to air ratio can be controlled and the exhaust can be directly fed to the fuel cell without complete combustion occurring. FFCs have additional advantages including high fuel utilization and high electrical efficiency compared to DFFCs2.
As an emerging area of research, experimental techniques are needed that can assess the potential of mT-FFCs for future power generation applications. These techniques require analysis of partial oxidation, or fuel-rich combustion, and the exhaust which has been identified as a way of generating H2 and CO, also known as syngas, along with CO2 and H2O. The syngas can be used directly in the fuel cells for power generation. The analysis of fuel-rich combustion exhaust has been well established in recent years and has been carried out theoretically4, computationally5,6 and experimentally7 for many different purposes. Many of the theoretical and computational studies have relied on chemical equilibrium analysis (CEA) to assess the combustion product species that are energetically favorable, and chemical kinetic models for reaction mechanisms. While these methods have been very useful, many emerging technologies have relied upon experimental techniques during research and development. Experimental techniques typically rely on analysis of the combustion exhaust using either a gas chromatograph (GC)7 or a mass spectrometer (MS)8. Either the GC line/syringe or the MS probe is inserted into the combustion exhaust and measurements are taken to assess the species concentration. Application of the experimental techniques has been common in the area of small scale power generation. Some examples include micro combustors that have been developed to operate with single chamber SOFCs7,9 and DFFCs10-15. The analysis of the combustion exhaust occurs under a wide range of operating conditions including different temperatures, flow rates and equivalence ratios.
In the area of DFFC research, fuel and oxidant can be partially premixed or non-premixed, with the burner open to the ambient which ensures complete combustion. With a need to analyze the flame composition, a MS has been used in many instances for DFFC research and combustion analysis16. The more recent development of the FFC differs by relying on premixed combustion with the burner in a partially enclosed environment to prevent complete oxidation of the fuel. As a result, analysis of the combustion exhaust in a controlled environment free from air leakage is needed. Experimental techniques developed for this purpose rely on the earlier techniques used for micro combustor research with GC analysis of the combustion exhaust at varying equivalence ratios. The GC analysis leads to characterization of the combustion exhaust composition (i.e., the volume percent of each exhaust constituent including CO2, H2O, N2, etc.) This analysis allows for mixing of separate gases according to the ratios measured by the GC to create a model fuel-rich combustion exhaust for future FFC research.
The protocols for analyzing fuel-rich combustion exhaust, developing a model fuel-rich combustion exhaust and applying the exhaust for SOFC testing are established in this paper. Common challenges and limitations are discussed for these techniques.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="758">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:43px;width:216px;">Gas chromotograph</td>
			<td style="width:111px;">SRI Instruments, Inc.</td>
			<td style="width:129px;">SRI 8610C</td>
			<td style="width:303px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:43px;width:216px;">K type thermocouples</td>
			<td style="width:111px;">Omega</td>
			<td style="width:129px;">KQXL-116G-6</td>
			<td>Custom length</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:43px;width:216px;">K type thermocouple extension wire</td>
			<td style="width:111px;">Omega</td>
			<td style="width:129px;">EXTT-K-20-SLE-100</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:43px;width:216px;">Mass flow controller</td>
			<td style="width:111px;">Omega</td>
			<td style="width:129px;">FMA5427</td>
			<td style="width:303px;">0-40 L/min (N2) 
			Used for methane</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:43px;width:216px;">Mass flow controller</td>
			<td style="width:111px;">Omega</td>
			<td style="width:129px;">FMA5443</td>
			<td style="width:303px;">0-200 L/min (N2) 
			Used for air</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:43px;width:216px;">Mass flow controller</td>
			<td style="width:111px;">Omega</td>
			<td style="width:129px;">FMA5402A</td>
			<td style="width:303px;">0-10 mL/min (N2) 
			Used for CO</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:43px;width:216px;">Mass flow controller</td>
			<td style="width:111px;">Brooks Instrument</td>
			<td style="width:129px;">SLA5850</td>
			<td style="width:303px;">200 SCCM (Propane) 
			Used for CO2</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:43px;width:216px;">Mass flow controller</td>
			<td style="width:111px;">Brooks Instrument</td>
			<td style="width:129px;">SLA5850</td>
			<td style="width:303px;">5 L/min (Air) 
			Used for N2</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:43px;width:216px;">Mass flow controller</td>
			<td style="width:111px;">Brooks Instrument</td>
			<td style="width:129px;">SLA5850</td>
			<td style="width:303px;">500 SCCM (N2) 
			Used for H2</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:43px;width:216px;">Regulator</td>
			<td style="width:111px;">Harris Products Group</td>
			<td style="width:129px;">HP721-125-350-F</td>
			<td style="width:303px;">Methane tank</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:43px;width:216px;">Regulator</td>
			<td style="width:111px;">Harris Products Group</td>
			<td style="width:129px;">HP702-050-590-E</td>
			<td>Air tank</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:43px;width:216px;">Regulator</td>
			<td style="width:111px;">Airgas</td>
			<td style="width:129px;">Y11-SR145B</td>
			<td>CO tank</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:43px;width:216px;">Regulator</td>
			<td style="width:111px;">Harris Products Group</td>
			<td style="width:129px;">HP702-050-320-E</td>
			<td>CO2 tank</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:43px;width:216px;">Regulator</td>
			<td style="width:111px;">Airgas</td>
			<td style="width:129px;">Y12-215B</td>
			<td>N2 tank</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:43px;width:216px;">Regulator</td>
			<td style="width:111px;">Harris Products Group</td>
			<td style="width:129px;">HP702-015-350-D</td>
			<td>H2 tank</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:43px;width:216px;">Methane, Compressed , 
			Ultra high purity</td>
			<td style="width:111px;">Airgas</td>
			<td style="width:129px;">UN1971</td>
			<td style="width:303px;">Extremely Flammable</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:43px;width:216px;">Air, Compressed, 
			Ultra pure</td>
			<td style="width:111px;">Airgas</td>
			<td style="width:129px;">UN1002</td>
			<td style="width:303px;">Not classified as hazardous to health.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:43px;width:216px;">CO, Compressed, 
			Ultra high purity</td>
			<td style="width:111px;">Airgas</td>
			<td style="width:129px;">UN1016</td>
			<td style="width:303px;">Toxic by inhalation, Extremely flammable</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:43px;width:216px;">CO2, Compressed, 
			Research grade</td>
			<td style="width:111px;">Airgas</td>
			<td style="width:129px;">UN1013</td>
			<td style="width:303px;">Asphyxiant in high 
			concentrations</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:43px;width:216px;">&#160;N2, Compressed, 
			Ultra high purity</td>
			<td style="width:111px;">Airgas</td>
			<td style="width:129px;">UN1066</td>
			<td style="width:303px;">Not classified as hazardous to health.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">H2, Compressed, 
			Ultra high purity</td>
			<td style="width:111px;">Airgas</td>
			<td style="width:129px;">UN1049</td>
			<td style="width:303px;">Extremely flammable, 
			burns with invisible flame</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:43px;width:216px;">Source meter</td>
			<td style="width:111px;">Tektronix, Inc.</td>
			<td style="width:129px;">Keithley 2420</td>
			<td style="width:303px;">Connects to computer 
			via USB</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:43px;width:216px;">Horizontal split tube furnace</td>
			<td style="width:111px;">MTI Corportation</td>
			<td style="width:129px;">OTF-1200X</td>
			<td style="width:303px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:43px;width:216px;">Data acquisition</td>
			<td style="width:111px;">National Instruments</td>
			<td style="width:129px;">NI cDAQ-9172</td>
			<td style="width:303px;">Connects to computer 
			via USB</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:43px;width:216px;">Thermocouple input</td>
			<td style="width:111px;">National Instruments</td>
			<td style="width:129px;">NI 9211</td>
			<td>Connects to cDAQ-9172</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:216px;">Computer control for Mass Flow Controllers</td>
			<td style="width:111px;">National Instruments</td>
			<td style="width:129px;">NI 9263</td>
			<td style="width:303px;">Connects to cDAQ-9172 
			Computer control for Mass Flow Controllers</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:43px;width:216px;">Testing software</td>
			<td style="width:111px;">National Instruments</td>
			<td style="width:129px;">LabVIEW 8.6</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:43px;width:216px;">Ceramabond</td>
			<td style="width:111px;">Aremco</td>
			<td>552-VFG</td>
			<td>1 Pint</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

combustion characterization and model fuel development for micro-tubular flame-assisted fuel cells

Combustion based power generation has been accomplished for many years through a number of heat engine systems. Recently, a move towards small scale power generation and micro combustion as well as development in fuel cell research has created new means of power generation that combine solid oxide fuel cells with open flames and combustion exhaust. Instead of relying upon the heat of combustion, these solid oxide fuel cell systems rely on reforming of the fuel via combustion to generate syngas for electrochemical power generation. Procedures were developed to assess the combustion by-products under a wide range of conditions. While theoretical and computational procedures have been developed for assessing fuel-rich combustion exhaust in these applications, experimental techniques have also emerged. The experimental procedures often rely upon a gas chromatograph or mass spectrometer analysis of the flame and exhaust to assess the combustion process as a fuel reformer and means of heat generation. The experimental techniques developed in these areas have been applied anew for the development of the micro-tubular flame-assisted fuel cell. The protocol discussed in this work builds on past techniques to specify a procedure for characterizing fuel-rich combustion exhaust and developing a model fuel-rich combustion exhaust for use in flame-assisted fuel cell testing. The development of the procedure and its applications and limitations are discussed.

The combustion characterization chamber should be checked prior to testing at the desired equivalence ratios for back-flow of air into the chamber or other air leakage during testing. Combustion processes in open chambers are known to be nearly isobaric. As a result, pressure within the combustion chamber may not be enough to ensure that no air from the external environment is back-flowing into the combustion chamber from the chamber exhaust port or other leakage points. There are several...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Combustion Characterization and Model Fuel Development for Micro-tubular Flame-assisted Fuel Cells at JoVE.com

Combustion Characterization and Model Fuel Development for Micro-tubular Flame-assisted Fuel Cells

A protocol for creating a model fuel-rich combustion exhaust is developed through combustion characterization and is applied for micro-tubular flame-assisted fuel cell testing and research.

Combustion based power generation has been accomplished for many years through a number of heat engine systems. Recently, a move towards small scale power ...

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The current analytical techniques for characterizing printing and graphic arts substrates are largely ex situ and destructive. This limits the amount of ...

Fabrication and Characterization of Thickness Mode Piezoelectric Devices for Atomization and Acoustofluidics

We present a technique to fabricate simple thickness mode piezoelectric devices using lithium niobate (LN). Such devices have been shown to atomize liquid ...

Improving the Combustion Performance of a Hybrid Rocket Engine using a Novel Fuel Grain with a Nested Helical Structure

A technique to improve the combustion performance of a hybrid rocket engine using a novel fuel grain structure is presented. This technique utilizes the ...