Combustion process
The combustion process is an exothermic chemical reaction of a chemical with oxygen. In the context of combustion cannons and hybrids, this refers to the reaction of a fuel, usually a hydrocarbon (usually propane) with atmospheric oxygen, producing carbon dioxide, water, and heat. The heat produces sufficient pressure to propel the projectile out the barrel.
This burning takes place mostly on the "flame front", a stereotypically shell-shaped region that spreads outwards from the ignition source. Techniques used by some to encourage the rapid spread of this flame front (to decrease the time it takes to combust all the fuel-air mixture, allowing the gases to reach peak pressure quickly, which has been shown to improve performance, especial on short-barrel launchers.) Include:
- multiple ignition points, allowing multiple flame fronts; usually accomplished via a spark strip.
- inducing turbulence into the flow containing the flame front; usually accomplished via a chamber fan.
The latter is not a well established way of doing things, but the latest attempt by DR shows promise; an adaptation of the jet ignition idea, in which an inherently turbulent spire of flame is squirted into the main chamber through a small orifice.
Tools and Information on the combustion process can be found at these links:
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