Low-Dimensional Analysis and Experimental Validation via Open-Loop Test of LCH4-LOX Rocket Engine Powerpack

Eunwoo Jung; Sinyoung Park; Eunkwang Lee; Minwoo Lee

doi:10.6108/KSPE.2026.30.3.051

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2026 Vol.30, Issue 3 Preview Page Next Page

Low-Dimensional Analysis and Experimental Validation via Open-Loop Test of LCH₄-LO_X Rocket Engine Powerpack 액체메탄-액체산소 로켓 엔진 파워팩의 저차원 수치해석 및 개회로 시험을 통한 실험적 검증

30 June 2026. pp. 51-57

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Abstract

This study investigates the startup and operational behavior of a 3-ton-class liquid methane/liquid oxygen rocket engine powerpack through a combination of low-dimensional numerical modeling and open-loop testing. A dynamic model built on a 1D fluid network simulates transient behavior by incorporating experimental valve sequences. For validation, gas generator combustion tests and turbopump operations using a surrogate working fluid are performed. The analysis shows that the model predicts steady-state turbopump speeds within a 1% error margin, while key pressure and flow variables remain within 10% of the experimental data. This validated approach serves as a reliable foundation for the design and performance analysis of future engine systems.

Keywords

Liquid Rocket Engine

Gas-Generator Cycle

Open-Loop Test

LO_X

LCH₄

본 연구에서는 3톤급 액체메탄/액체산소 로켓 엔진 파워팩의 시동 및 작동 특성을 분석하기 위해 저차원 수치해석과 개회로 시험을 수행하였다. 수치해석 모델은 1차원 네트워크 기반의 동적 모델로 구축하였으며, 시험의 밸브 개도 시퀀스를 적용하여 과도 응답을 모사하였다. 모델의 실험적 검증을 위해 가스발생기 연소 시험과 상사 매질을 활용한 터보펌프 작동 시험을 수행하였다. 터보펌프 회전수는 정상상태 기준 1% 이내의 오차로 실험값을 정밀하게 예측하였으며, 주요 압력 및 유량 변수 또한 10% 이내의 오차 범위에서 타당성을 확인하였다. 본 연구를 통해 검증된 수치해석 방법론은 향후 실매질 기반 엔진 시스템 설계 및 통합 성능 해석을 위한 기초 자료로 활용될 것으로 기대된다.

키워드

액체로켓엔진

가스발생기 사이클

개회로 실험

액체산소

액체메탄

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Information

Publisher :The Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers
Publisher(Ko) :한국추진공학회
Journal Title :Journal of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers
Journal Title(Ko) :한국추진공학회지
Volume : 30
No :3
Pages :51-57
Received Date : 2026-03-27
Revised Date : 2026-05-04
Accepted Date : 2026-05-25
DOI :https://doi.org/10.6108/KSPE.2026.30.3.051

Journal of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers ISSN:1226-6027(Print) 2288-4548(Online) 한국추진공학회지

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