Rheological and ballistic investigations of paraffin-based fuels for hybrid rocket propulsion using a 2D radial micro-burner

The present research describes thermal, rheological and ballistic experimental analyses performed on paraffin-based fuels that might be used as solid fuels in hybrid rocket engines. Experimental investigations have jointly been performed at the Space Propulsion Laboratory (SPLab) of Politecnico di Milano and the Institute of Space Propulsion of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) [1]. Data analyses exhibit good correlations with literature predictions. Liquefying fuel regression rate is higher for mixtures that present lower melting point and lower viscosity. Collected data establish a useful database for the identification and measurement of the fundamental properties for liquefying fuels applicability in larger scale hybrid engines