Laser Ignition of Liquid-Oxygen–Gaseous-Hydrogen Fuel in a Large-Scale Combustion Chamber

The article presents a review of the results of studies of laser ignition of a cryogenic mixture (gaseous hydrogen and liquid oxygen) in an experimental combustion chamber, carried out at the bench testing facility of KBKhA (Voronezh). A laser ignition module specially designed at the Keldysh Research Centre and with parameters optimized for use in the rocket engine launch system was used during the experiments. Fuel ignition by the laser system occurred directly in the experimental chamber without the use of an ignition device or pre-chamber. To implement this ignition method, inflammation of the fuel in the chamber was carried out by focusing the laser radiation into the mixture, with the initiation of a spark of optical breakdown in the selected area with conditions favorable for the start of combustion. The results of the experiments confirmed the efficiency of the laser module during both standalone and firing tests, including multiple launches of the propulsion unit operated on a cryogenic mixture (gaseous hydrogen and liquid oxygen).

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