Author Topic: Bloodhound Rocket Test - October 3rd  (Read 9055 times)

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Offline smarjoram

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Bloodhound Rocket Test - October 3rd
« on: September 25, 2012, 01:06:12 PM »
It's been an exciting summer - the rocket test rig was taken from the workshop and rebuilt at our test site.





As you can see it's a pretty complicated bit of kit and takes quite a team of people to operate safely. First tests were done with de-ionised water - to find any leaks in the system (not uncommon when you're using a 700hp Formula 1 engine as a pump). The next tests were monopropellant tests - using just the HTP, catalyst pack and nozzle - but no rocket tube or fuel. The HTP decomposes as soon as it hits the silver catalyst and produces 600degC steam and oxygen - and plenty of thrust! The sound of the F1 engine screaming out of a hole in the ground followed by the roar of the rocket was stunning. We had several successful runs (including one very dramatic one which I hope to be able to show one day) and we're now ready to do a full test with fuel. The date is set for the 3rd October and there will be a live stream on the http://www.bloodhoundssc.com website. There's a good article with more info by Andy Green here...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-19676037

Offline Seldom Seen Slim

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Re: Bloodhound Rocket Test - October 3rd
« Reply #1 on: September 25, 2012, 01:30:27 PM »
Wow.  A bit out of my league save for enjoying the build.  I look forward to seeing the rig operating.  A video will be good enough, I guess -- because the chances are pretty danged slim that I'll manage to follow you to the actual site where you'll run the car.  That doesn't mean I wouldn't care to go there, of course.

So - please continue putting information and photos on this Forum thread.  Thanks.
Jon E. Wennerberg
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 (that's way up north)
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Offline Glen

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Re: Bloodhound Rocket Test - October 3rd
« Reply #2 on: September 25, 2012, 01:33:32 PM »
I followed the other two builds and was in awe for sure. When they broke the sound barrier I was at work and let out a big scream an the office thought I  was shot. Having a boss at that time and him being a LSR racer understood, :-D
Glen
Crew on Turbinator II

South West, Utah

Offline smarjoram

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Re: Bloodhound Rocket Test - October 3rd
« Reply #3 on: September 26, 2012, 05:31:10 AM »
Fantastic - good to hear you'll be following. I feel very privileged to be able to witness it all. I'll let you know how it goes - starting to get a bit nervous about it all now - It's a pretty brave step to invite everyone to watch the first firing live.

Offline smarjoram

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Re: Bloodhound Rocket Test - October 3rd
« Reply #4 on: September 27, 2012, 09:02:42 AM »
To help explain how the system works - and what it looks like inside - we've just released this rather fancy animation...
http://youtu.be/xsEbrIo6Xxg

Offline MAYOMAN

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Re: Bloodhound Rocket Test - October 3rd
« Reply #5 on: September 27, 2012, 03:39:08 PM »
Glad to see your progress on the HTP hybrid rocket system.
Is the HTP tank in the photo the one to be used in Bloodhound?
Being a rather simple guy, I am still mired in the technology of the 1960s I guess. The rationale for pumping the HTP using the Cosworth F1 engine still eludes me.
Looking at your test setup for scale, I can't believe a blowdown system with high pressure air, stored in titanium or carbon fiber tanks, wouldn't be lighter, more compact, and considerably less prone to failure to perform at the critical moment.
Using the Cosworth to drive the external air compressor rather than lugging along in the vehicle appeals to me.
I'm hoping your 03 October test will be in the afternoon so I don't lose any beauty sleep here in middle America.
Good luck.
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Offline bucketlist

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Re: Bloodhound Rocket Test - October 3rd
« Reply #6 on: October 03, 2012, 10:21:27 PM »
There was interesting coverage of the test on BBC World News on PBS this evening.
Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.

Offline manta22

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Re: Bloodhound Rocket Test - October 3rd
« Reply #7 on: October 03, 2012, 11:55:25 PM »
I suspect that a big tank pressurized to the level necessary to directly inject HTP into the rocket motor would be prohibitively large & heavy. It has to withstand attack by corrosive fuel, too.

Regards, Neil  Tucson, AZ
Regards, Neil  Tucson, AZ

Offline MAYOMAN

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Re: Bloodhound Rocket Test - October 3rd
« Reply #8 on: October 05, 2012, 08:22:38 AM »
1,000 liters is 264 US gallons, which also equals 61,000 cu.in.
Without cracking out the exotic design stuff – an aluminum HTP tank:
Operating pressure – 1,000 psi
Proof pressure – 1,700 psi
Burst pressure – 2,200 psi
Should come in around 500 lb
Thin-walled and fiber-wrapped it should be almost half that, 250 lb.
Aluminum is a compatible material for the HTP tank inner liner.

TheTi6Al/4V gas pressure spheres:
Operating pressure – 3,200 psi
Proof pressure – 3,500 psi
Burst pressure – 7,100 psi
Will weigh 55 lb each – use two. They are available.
These will adequately accomodate the pressure and volume required for the proposed HTP load.

So, I estimate, very roughly, the blowdown tankage [HTP and air] to be 350 to 610 lb. Not too heavy, eh?
Add to this valves, burst diaphragms, and pressure regulator.
What does the Cosworht/pump/HTP tank system weigh?

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Offline smarjoram

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Re: Bloodhound Rocket Test - October 3rd
« Reply #9 on: October 05, 2012, 10:13:50 AM »
But then we wouldn't get to hear that glorious V8 wail coming out of various bunkers and hangars - it sounds fantastic! Joking aside, I'll ask one of the engineers why they went down this route and see if I can get an answer for you.

Glad to say the test was a great success - still a few improvements to be made but considering we'd invited 400 people to watch what was basically a first experiment it went remarkably well. I got a couple of nice stills (remotely) inside the shelter just as the rocket fired up...



There are some great videos about too - the external one with two plumes of smoke coming out of the hangar is particularly good.

Offline Plmkrze

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Re: Bloodhound Rocket Test - October 3rd
« Reply #10 on: October 05, 2012, 10:41:03 AM »
Thank you from across the pond!

Please keep us posted. :cheers: :cheers:

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Offline Dean Los Angeles

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Re: Bloodhound Rocket Test - October 3rd
« Reply #11 on: October 05, 2012, 11:44:42 AM »
"Why did you use a Cosworth?" "Because we had one sitting around."

The ability to control flow with a compressed tank is tough as the pressure drops. A liquid pump gives you a steady flow.
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Offline MAYOMAN

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Re: Bloodhound Rocket Test - October 3rd
« Reply #12 on: October 05, 2012, 05:59:10 PM »
Dean,
Maintaining constant HTP pressure throughout the record runs is critical.
This can be done using a properly sized gas pressure regulator and air feed lines.
This WAS done with The Blue Flame which had similar HTP flow rates to the Bloodhound.
That can't be the reason - and I anxiously await the aforementioned comment.
Not picking a fight on this. It's an engineering difference of opinion and, thus, I'd like to know the thought process.
Knowing that if something can go wrong - it will - my choice would always involve fewer moving parts and complexity.
Bloodhound will bloody well not change their design at this late time in their schedule.
I wish them great success and a safe ride for Wing Commander Green.
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Offline Malcolm UK

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Re: Bloodhound Rocket Test - October 3rd
« Reply #13 on: October 06, 2012, 08:45:36 AM »
"Why did you use a Cosworth?" "Because we had one sitting around."

As an interested observer of the BSCC: I think you will find that although not the first choice of engine provider for the HTP Pump motor the Cosworth company can bring a great deal of control expertise to the project along with an F1 engine of the correct power to weight ratio and the support personnel required.

Malcolm Derby
Malcolm UK, Derby, England.

Offline ragsflh

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Re: Bloodhound Rocket Test - October 3rd
« Reply #14 on: October 06, 2012, 09:06:21 PM »
great looking build