The high overall efficiency of the scramjet engine is potentially maintained over the speed range from Mach 5 to 20. At higher speeds, hydrogen fuel is essential and a fixed geometry appears feasible. Optimization of the intake diffusion can be carried out most easily in terms of the intake process efficiency and velocity ratio. The optimum amount of diffusion is reduced when realistic nozzle losses are included. The development of a hypersonic flight test vehicle is recommended.

Annotation Leading researchers provide a cohesive treatment of the complex issues in high-speed propulsion, as well as introductions to the current capabilities for addressing several fundamental aspects of high-speed vehicle propulsion development. Includes more than 380 references, 290 figures and tables, and 185 equations.

The renewed interest in high-speed propulsion has led to increased activity in the development of the supersonic combustion ramjet engine for hypersonic flight applications. In the hypersonic regime the scramjet engine's specific thrust exceeds that of other propulsion systems. This book, written by a leading researcher, describes the processes and characteristics of the scramjet engine in a unified manner, reviewing both theoretical and experimental research. The focus is on the phenomena that dictate the thermo-aerodynamic processes encountered in the scramjet engine, including component analyses and flowpath considerations; fundamental theoretical topics related to internal flow with chemical reactions and non-equilibrium effects, high-temperature gas dynamics, and hypersonic effects are included. Cycle and component analyses are further described, followed by flowpath examination. Finally, the book reviews experimental and theoretical capabilities and describes ground testing facilities and computational fluid dynamics facilities developed for the study of time-accurate, high-temperature aerodynamics.

An almost entirely self-contained engineering textbook primarily for use in undergraduate and graduate courses in airbreathing propulsion. It provides a broad and basic introduction to the elements needed to work in the field as it develops and grows. Homework problems are provided for almost every individual subject. An extensive array of PC-based user-friendly computer programs is provided in order to facilitate repetitious and/or complex calculations. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Scramjet Propulsion Explore the cutting edge of HAP technologies with this comprehensive resource from an international leader in her field Scramjet Propulsion: A Practical Introduction delivers a comprehensive treatment of hypersonic air breathing propulsion and its applications. The book covers the most up-to-date hypersonic technologies, like endothermic fuels, fuel injection and flameholding systems, high temperature materials, and TPS, and offers technological overviews of hypersonic flight platforms like the X-43A, X-51A, and HiFIRE. It is organized around easy-to-understand explanations of technical challenges and provides extensive references for the information contained within. The highly accomplished author provides readers with a fulsome description of the theoretical underpinnings of hypersonic technologies, as well as critical design and technology issues affecting hypersonic air breathing propulsion technologies. The book’s combination of introductory theory and advanced instruction about individual hypersonic engine components is ideal for students and practitioners in fields as diverse as hypersonic vehicle and propulsion development for missile defense technologies, launch aerospaceplanes, and civilian transports. Over 250 illustrations and tables round out the material. Readers will also learn from: A thorough introduction to hypersonic flight, hypersonic vehicle concepts, and a review of fundamental principles in hypersonic air breathing propulsion Explorations of the aerothermodynamics of scramjet engines and the design of scramjet components, as well as hypersonic air breathing propulsion combustors and fuels Analyses of dual-mode combustion phenomena, materials structures, and thermal management in hypersonic vehicles, and combined cycle propulsion An examination of CFD analysis, ground and flight testing, and simulation Perfect for researchers and graduate students in aerospace engineering, Scramjet Propulsion: A Practical Introduction is also an indispensable addition to the libraries of engineers working on hypersonic vehicle development seeking a state-of-the-art resource in one of the most potentially disruptive areas of aerospace research today.