Research on Gas-dynamic Resonance Igniter for Simultaneous

Multi-ignition of Hydrogen-Oxygen Rocket Engine

YU Nanjia, CAI Guobiao, ZHANG Guozhou
(School of Astronautics, Beijing Univ. of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Beijing, P. R. China)

Abstract: In order to research the hydrogen-oxygen aerospike nozzle rocket engine which may be
used on SSTO reusable launch vehicle, the simultaneous multi-ignition of hydrogen-oxygen igniter
is the one of its key technologies. Six schemes of hydrogen-oxygen igniter for multi-chamber
simultaneous multi-ignition are provided and expound and prove, multi small coaxial
hydrogen-oxygen resonant igniter assemble scheme is selected. Structure parameters and pressure of
small coaxial hydrogen-oxygen resonant igniter are obtained from more than 600 times foundation
experiments of resonance heating. The ignition tests showed that small coaxial hydrogen-oxygen
resonant igniter is characterized with advantages of repeatedly multi-ignition performance and high
reliability. The shortest start time 0.17s is reached. The simultaneous ignition time different of three
igniter is shorter than 0.01s. The ignition delay time repeatability of every igniter are good, even
placed igniter in different position of ignition system. It is concluded from ignition tests that
multi-small coaxial hydrogen-oxygen resonant igniter assemble is a good ignition scheme for
aerospike nozzle engine which need multi-chamber simultaneous multi-ignition.
heating tests. Performance tests will develop to
validate every hydrogen-oxygen igniter can be
used
for
multi-chamber
simultaneous
multi-ignition. From the fundamental tests and
ignition tests, discover the response time, delay
time, and lifetime of every igniter.

1 Introduction
When industrialization and business become
the development trend of space technology, low
cost, low launch fee and reusable rocket propulsion
becomes the most important research field of
launch vehicle. Aerospike nozzle engine, high
performance hydrogen-oxygen engine and
tri-propellant engine are candidate propulsion
schemes of reusable single-stage-to-orbit space
vehicle, and every scheme needs ignition
technology which can ignite repeatedly. So
repeated ignition technology is an important
research work for advanced propulsion system.

2 Compare of ignition schemes for

multi-chamber
2.1 High energy spark plug ignition scheme
2.1.1 Multi-tube scheme
High energy spark plug is used to ignite gas
hydrogen and gas oxygen when they are inlet into
ignition chamber. Ignition flame can be transfer to
every small thruster through flame tube. The
structure of this scheme is showed in fig.1.

[1~5]

Six ignition schemes of hydrogen-oxygen

igniter are presented for aerospike nozzle engine,
which
need
multi-chamber
simultaneous
multi-ignition. Through analysis and prove, multi
small coaxial hydrogen-oxygen resonant igniter
assemble scheme is selected. New structure
scheme of hydrogen-oxygen igniter is put forward.
The best structure parameter and pressure
matched will be obtained through resonance
1

ignition
chamber

which ensure
simultaneously.

hydrogen&oxygen
high energy
spark plug
torch
transmit
tube

every

solenoid
valve

hydrogen
non-return
valve
pre-mixture
chamber

ignited

oxygen
solenoid
non-return valve
valve
spark plug
detonation
wave tube

Fig.1 Multi-tube scheme

ignition
chamber

be

oxygen

hydrogen

thruster

oxygen

thruster

solenoid
valve

igniter

hydrogen

Fig.3 Detonation wave ignition scheme

2.3 Gas-dynamic resonance igniter scheme
2.3.1 Multi-tube coaxial hydrogen-oxygen
resonance igniter

high energy
spark plug

thruster

ignition chamber

Torch
resonance tube

Fig.2 Multi-small chamber scheme

2.1.2 Multi small ignition chamber scheme
In order to ignite every thruster reliably,
multi-tube scheme need a larger ignition chamber,
and higher temperature of ignition torch. Because
every small thruster need enough ignition energy,
and the long tubes will absorb a lot heat, so the
ignition torch temperature of ignition chamber is
higher than the kindling point of hydrogen-oxygen.
In order to avoid high temperature tube, multi
small ignition chamber scheme is presented. The
structure is showed in fig.2. Multi small ignition
chambers are put in the head of every thruster,
spark plug is used to produce ignition torch and
using ignition torch ignite propellant.
2.2 Detonation wave ignition scheme
Detonation wave ignition device include
spark plug, pre-mixture ignition chamber and multi
combustion wave tube. The thruster is connected
to the end of every detonation wave tube. Before
ignition, hydrogen and oxygen are filled to
pre-mixture ignition chamber, detonation wave
tube and thruster. When hydrogen and oxygen are
ignited by spark plug, ignition torch can inlet every
detonation wave tube, which has filled with
hydrogen and oxygen. Combustion wave can be
enhanced in detonation wave tube, and come into
the detonation wave at the end of every tube.
When the propellants are hydrogen and oxygen,
the speed of detonation wave can be up to 3000m-s,

H2
O2
H2

torch transmission tube

Torch

Fig.4 Scheme of multi-tube coaxial

hydrogen-oxygen resonance igniter
O2
oxygen throttle
ignition chamber

Torch
Resonance tube

H2
O2
H2

Torch transmission tube

oxygen throttle
O2

Fig.5 Scheme of augmenting oxygen to

multi-tube coaxial hydrogen-oxygen resonance
igniter
Multi-tube
coaxial
hydrogen-oxygen
resonance igniter is designed by connecting some
tubes to a main coaxial hydrogen-oxygen
resonance igniter (CHORI), as shown in Fig.4.
When the igniter starts successfully, the torch will
be transmitted to thrusters through torch
transmission tubes so that the simultaneous
ignition of multi-thruster can be realized.
In experiments, the torch temperature at tube
exit increases slowly because of heat loss in the
tube. Duration is too long (about 6 seconds) for the
torch temperature at the tube exit to be raised to
ignition requirement.
Two improved methods, including increasing
2

the coaxial hydrogen-oxygen resonance ignition

mixture ratio and oxygen augmented at the start of
transmission tubes, were tested. Increasing the
mixture ratio can reduce the ignition delay-time by
raising torch temperature in the igniter chamber.
But both the igniter and torch transmission tubes
need to bear higher temperature. Compared with it,
oxygen augmentation method can reduce the
ignition delay more easily and more reliably. The
sketch of multiple-tube coaxial hydrogen-oxygen
resonance
ignition
device
with
oxygen
augmentation is shown in Fig.5.
When augmented with some oxygen, torch
temperature at the tube exit can rise up to 900K in
less than 0.8s and 938K in 1.0s. Therefore,
multi-tube coaxial hydrogen-oxygen resonance
igniter with oxygen augmentation is a feasible
ignition method for aerospike nozzle engine. [6]
2.3.2 Multi small coaxial hydrogen-oxygen
resonance igniter assemblage
One
or
two
multi-tube
coaxial
hydrogen-oxygen resonance igniter can ignite
aerospike nozzle engine with more than ten
combustors, which is very economical. But these
torch transmission tubes are a little long to be
installed in aerospike nozzle engine. In addition,
tubes with high temperature are insecure for the
engine system.
The
investigated
multi
small
coaxial
hydrogen-oxygen resonance igniter assemblage is
to install a small resonance igniter in each thruster,
as shown in Fig.6. The small coaxial
hydrogen-oxygen resonance igniter only has to
provide enough energy to ignite the main
propellant in each small thruster without the unsafe
factor of high-temperature tube. for which the
optimum matching between structural dimensions
and gas dynamic parameters has been obtained
through experiments. Although the total weight of
multi small coaxial hydrogen-oxygen resonance
igniters is heavier than the multiple-tube coaxial
hydrogen-oxygen
resonance
igniter
itself,
considering the oxygen augmentation and torch
transmission tubes of the latter, weight of the
former is lighter.

oxygen

hydrogen

small
resonance
igniter
thruster

Fig.6 Scheme of multi small coaxial

hydrogen-oxygen resonance igniter assemblage
2.4 Multi helium resonance heat surface igniter
assemblage
In order to utilize gas hydrogen-gas oxygen,
which in the tube of tank exit, and low tank
pressure, and not use spark plug. Helium resonance
heat surface igniter can substitute spark plug to
ignite hydrogen and oxygen. Simultaneous ignition
scheme of multi helium resonance heat surface
igniter assemblage is presented for multi thruster
multi ignition simultaneously.
hydrogen valve
oxygen valve
helium
resonance
heat surface
igniter

solenoid
valve

solenoid
valve

throttle port
throttle port
H2 O2

heat surface of
resonance tube

Fig.7 Scheme of multi helium resonance heat

surface igniter assemblage
When helium is ejected into resonance tube,
the temperature of the end of resonance tube is
raise quickly, because of resonance heat effect. At
that time, open the solenoid valve of hydrogen and
oxygen. Hydrogen and oxygen, which in the tank
exit tube with low pressure, can be ignited by
helium resonance heat surface igniter. The ignition
torch can ignite the main propellant of thruster.
Flow rate of hydrogen and oxygen can be
controlled by throttle port, when the pressure at
exit of pump rises up. For aerospike nozzle engine,
helium resonance heat surface igniter can be put in
the head section of every thruster.

up. And the burning surface is out of detonation

wave tube, it will not affect the temperature of tube.
The mixture rate of hydrogen and oxygen can be
changed in a large range. For structural weight, the
multi detonation wave tube ignition system
includes pre-mixture ignition chamber, spark plug
device, and detonation wave tube. Every thruster
needs a detonation wave tube, and the weight of
pre-mixture ignition chamber and spark plug
device will be distributed to every thruster
averagely. So multi detonation wave tube ignition
scheme is a batter scheme for multi thrusters
ignition simultaneously, but for single liquid rocket
engine, it is not a good scheme.
3.3
Scheme
of
multi
small
coaxial
hydrogen-oxygen resonance igniter assemblage
New coaxial hydrogen-oxygen resonance
igniter is provided with simple structure, reliable
ignition, and is a new non-electric-insensitive
ignition technology. Because of multi-tube with
high temperature and large weight, multi-tube
coaxial hydrogen-oxygen resonance igniter scheme
is not a better choice for multi thruster ignition
simultaneously. For multi small coaxial
hydrogen-oxygen resonance igniter assemblage
scheme, the system structure weight is less, and
ignites reliably. From the experimental results, the
minimum ignition start time is 0.17s, and it can be
cut down when use better material to make
resonance tube. And now the material of resonance
tube is 1Cr18Ni9Ti. For the structure weight, the
weight of small coaxial hydrogen-oxygen
resonance igniter is less than 90g, and the system
structure weight of multi small coaxial
hydrogen-oxygen resonance igniter assemblage
scheme is less than that of multi detonation wave
tube ignition scheme. Meanwhile, small coaxial
hydrogen-oxygen resonance igniter can be used in
single liquid rocket engines ignite.
3.4 Scheme of multi helium resonance heat
surface ignition
Scheme of multi helium resonance heat
surface ignition is using purge helium. Helium is
used to blow-off tube, and it can be used to heat up
resonance tube at same time. When the proceeding

3 Feasibility analysis of hydrogen-oxygen multi

thruster ignition simultaneously
3.1 Scheme of high energy spark plug ignition
Two schemes use high energy spark plug. For
multi
small
ignition
chamber
scheme,
hydrogen-oxygen ignition chamber and spark plug
device put on every head section of thruster. The
total weight is too large for rocket engine, which
need multi thruster ignition simultaneous.
Compare with the weight of multi small ignition
chamber scheme, the weight of multi tube scheme
is smaller. But it is not security for the rocket
engine system, because of many torch transmission
tubes with high temperature. In order to ignite the
propellant of thruster reliability, torch temperature
must much higher than the ignition point of
hydrogen-oxygen, because of thermal lost in torch
transmission tube. High temperature is an
important factor for material selected. It can be
concluded from the analyze of two schemes, which
using high energy spark plug, that high energy
spark plug schemes are not better choice for multi
thruster ignition simultaneously. But for single
liquid rocket engine, which need multi ignition,
spark plug is a better ignition scheme, and it has
well used in SSME.
3.2 Scheme of multi detonation wave tube
ignition
The ignition process of multi detonation wave
tube ignition scheme is that hydrogen and oxygen
are filled in pre-mixture ignition chamber, multi
detonation wave tube and thrusters at first, and
when hydrogen-oxygen are ignited by spark plug,
combustion wave will along with every detonation
wave tube transmitted. The combustion wave can
be enhanced in the tube, and come into detonation
wave, which can ignite hydrogen-oxygen mixture
gases. For hydrogen-oxygen mixture gases, the
speed of detonation wave can be up to 3000m-s. It
ensures that every thruster ignited at same time. In
the experiments, the time difference of every
thruster ignition is less than 0.3ms. Other than
other schemes, which need multi tube to transmit
ignition torch. For multi detonation wave tube
ignition scheme, the tube temperature will not rise
4

A new type of coaxial gas-dynamic resonance

ignition scheme is investigated. Schematic of
coaxial hydrogen-oxygen resonance ignition
method is shown in Fig.8. The coaxial
hydrogen-oxygen resonance ignition was named
after its unique coaxial hydrogen-oxygen injector
nozzle, which is consisted of a circular nozzle and
an annular coaxially surrounding nozzle. In coaxial
hydrogen-oxygen resonance ignition, hydrogen
was arranged to be introduced through the annular
injector nozzle slightly earlier than oxygen as the
resonance heating gas, generating a quantity of
heated hot hydrogen in resonance tube cavity end
segment. Oxygen was injected through the central
atomized-spray circular nozzle. Whenever the
heated energy has accumulated to a certain level,
the two gases might get into ignition at the
interface, inducing combustion of the rest gases
simultaneously to create notable high-temperature
gas torch issuing down the ignition chamber.
Through over 600 times of gas-dynamic
resonance heating tests for geometry optimization,
the optimized geometrical configuration for
coaxial resonance ignition was determined. A
number of hydrogen dynamic resonance heating
tests were conducted with the geometrically
optimized configuration. Hydrogen resonance
heating temperature measured has reached 1100 K
in 0.5 s, which implies a much higher gas
temperature inside the tube cavity.[7,8]
4.2 Start response time
700

600

H2
O2
H2

T (K)

4 Research of small hydrogen-oxygen resonance

igniter
4.1 Structural scheme of igniter
coaxial annular
injecting nozzle

torch temperature

hydrogen inlet pressure

500

oxygen inlet pressure

ignition response

2
400

resonant heating
ignition delay

P (MPa)

of blow-off tube is over, the temperature of the end

of resonance tube is rising up to higher than the
ignition point of hydrogen-oxygen. Ignition can be
taken place as soon as hydrogen and oxygen inlet
into thruster. From the system start proceeding, the
ignition time sequence is not needed. The ignition
start time of this scheme is the shortest. The time
difference of ignition is depend on the propellant
inlet time. The structure weight of multi helium
resonance heat surface ignition scheme is close to
that of small coaxial hydrogen-oxygen resonance
igniter scheme. The ignition torch is out of igniter,
so it will not affect the structure of igniter. The
mixture rate of hydrogen and oxygen can be
changed at large range. Helium resonance heat
surface igniter both has the advantages of gas
dynamic resonance igniter and the advantages of
spark plug. And it is continuous igniter. Helium
resonance heat surface igniter is provided with
much widest applied foreground.
3.5 Brief summary
From analyze and compare the advantages
and disadvantages of every scheme, multi
detonation wave tube ignition scheme is a better
scheme for hydrogen-oxygen multi thruster
ignition simultaneously. But for future multiform
liquid rocket engine, which need multi ignition,
coaxial hydrogen-oxygen resonance igniter is
provided with better applied foreground. From the
research level of us, multi small coaxial
hydrogen-oxygen resonance igniter assemblage
scheme is the best scheme for hydrogen-oxygen
multi thruster rocket engine.

300

ignition chamber
resonance tube

4.1

4.2

4.3

4.4

4.5

t(s)

Fig.9 Diagram of resonance ignition

establishment
As has been depicted above the operational
events of coaxial hydrogen-oxygen resonance
ignition were sequenced as following: hydrogen

Torch

Fig.8 Structure of small hydrogen-oxygen

resonance igniter
5

resonance heating; oxygen injected in; ignition

taking place. A typical establishment of coaxial
hydrogen-oxygen resonance ignition starting
process is illustrated in Fig.9 by the experimental
traces of hydrogen and oxygen inlet pressure and
gas torch temperature. The ignition response time
is defined as the time span from the approximate
establishment of hydrogen inlet pressure to the
detection of ignition torch temperature increase,
and the ignition delay was the period of time
between oxygen injection and ignition torch
creation.
From Fig.9, it is seen that the establishment of
coaxial resonance ignition consists of two
segments: hydrogen resonance heating period and
the ignition delay. With a certain gas-dynamic
resonance heating device, the longer hydrogen
resonance heating period lasts the more heated
hydrogen will be accumulated in tube cavity. When
the energy accumulation is sufficient, once oxygen
is forced in it will ignite with oxygen almost
simultaneously, and the ignition delay is less than
0.01 s, seeing Fig.10a (restricted by the accuracy
of measurement, a higher accuracy of response
time measurement is inaccessible). But if the
energy accumulation is inadequate, mixture of the
two gases will keep on resonating for a little more
while until the ignition requirement is met, and that
results in a period of ignition delay. In this case,
the hydrogen resonance heating process should be
lengthened, because gases mixture resonance
heating velocity is much lower than hydrogen itself.
In reason of that, a minimum period of time for
hydrogen resonance heating exists, as to realize the
shortest ignition start response. Besides, as the
resonance heating velocity is essential to the
energy
accumulation,
the
configuration
optimization of resonance heating is significant for
short ignition response time. In present coaxial
resonance ignition firing tests, the ignition
response conducted with steel tubes can reach 0.17
s, shown in Fig.10

900
5

torch temperature

800

hydrogen inlet pressure

T (K)

oxygen inlet pressure

600

500

P (MPa)

700

0.17s

400

0
300
4.65 4.70 4.75 4.80 4.85 4.90 4.95 5.00
t(s)

(a) Starting establishment

6
torch temperature

1000

5
hydrogen inlet pressure

T (K)

oxygen inlet pressure

600

P (MPa)

800

400
4.5

5.0

5.5

0
6.5

6.0

t(s)

(b) Whole process

Fig.10 Diagram of short ignition start response
test A
test B

1000

P (MPa)

torch temperature

900

hydrogen inlet pressure

800
700

600
2

500

1
0

T( C)

oxygen inlet
pressure

0.0

0.5

400
300
1.0

1.5

t(s)

Fig.11 repetitive ignition tests under similar

working conditions
The operational reliability and stability are
important evaluating criteria for liquid rocket
engine ignition system. In the case of repetitive
ignition for liquid rocket engine, when the ignition
start sequence is regulated, the igniter should
create gas torch with the same response time in
required accuracy. Fig.11 gives two sets of ignition
testing results identified as A and B respectively
under similar working conditions. Test A and B
have the same hydrogen inlet pressure, and oxygen
inlet pressure of A is 6.7% higher than that of B.
But the response time difference is less than 0.01s.
Meanwhile, the two tests obtained very close
6

ignition torch temperature. This demonstrates that

coaxial hydrogen-oxygen resonance ignition is
blunt about the small fluctuations in feed system,
and it has very good operational stability and
reliability under fitting working conditions.

nozzle dimension of C from A and B. As for the

same tester, the time difference of repetitive
ignition delay at different position is no more than
0.01s. If the accuracy of coaxial hydrogen-oxygen
resonance ignition device dimensions could be
strictly guaranteed by machinery, the simultaneous
ignition of multi-combustor would be achieved
more desirably.
Table1 Synchronic ignition results

5 Experimental research of multi ignition

simultaneously
From the fundamental tests and ignition tests,
small coaxial hydrogen-oxygen resonance igniters,
Hydrogen Oxygen
Tester
Synchronic
which are used in multi thruster ignition, are
inlet
inlet
label
Ignition
time
No.
investigated. The weight of a single small coaxial
(Position pressure, pressure, delay, s
difference
hydrogen-oxygen resonance ignition tester is less
MPa
MPa
label)
than 90g, which is very light. Ignition experiments
3.30
0.03
B (3)
0.03
3.25
1
of this single small coaxial hydrogen-oxygen
2.93
0.06
C (2)
resonance ignition tester were successful. Its
2.91
0.03
B (2)
0.04
3.30
2
mixture ratio range is 0.56840.7157, torch flow
2.96
0.07
C (3)
rate range is 13.15g/s20.25g/s, and the torch
2.90
0.03
A (1)
0.04
3.30
3
[8]
temperature range is 850K950K.
2.96
0.07
C (3)
By means of two synchronic ignitions with
2.96
0.02
A (1)
0.01
3.30
4
total three small coaxial hydrogen-oxygen
2.98
0.03
B (3)
resonance ignition testers identified as A, B and C
3.00
0.03
A (3)
<0.01
3.30
5
switching on two of the three paralleling piping
3.00
0.03
B (1)
positions numbered as 1, 2 and 3 (shown in Fig.12),
Advantages of multi small coaxial
the simultaneous ignition performance has been
hydrogen-oxygen resonance igniter assemblage
investigated. The testing results see Table1.
include:
1) High-temperature heat-resistant material
for igniter is not necessary. Ignition torch of not so
high temperature already provides enough energy
to ignite main propellant in each thruster of
aerospike nozzle engine.
2) Time response of the small coaxial
hydrogen-oxygen resonance igniter is short.
Ignition torch will be produced as soon as oxygen
is ejected in.
Fig.12 Schematic of synchronic ignition system
3) Without long and high-temperature tubes,
As shown in Table1, of the five synchronic
the ignition system is lightweight, secure, and
ignition tests, the maximum synchronic ignition
reliable.
time difference is 0.04s, and the minimum
synchronic ignition time difference is less than
6 Conclusions
0.01s, and that have meet the need of simultaneous
1Six ignition schemes for multi thruster
ignitions of multi thruster. From Table1, it can be
multi ignition simultaneously have been presented.
seen that the ignition delay of tester C is apparently
From analyze and compare the advantages and
longer than A and B. Restricted by the accuracy of
disadvantages of every scheme, multi small coaxial
machinery, there is slight difference in injector
hydrogen-oxygen resonance igniter assemblage
7

scheme has been selected for hydrogen-oxygen

multi thruster ignition test.
2It can be concluded from the multi ignition
simultaneously tests that the maximum synchronic
ignition time difference is 0.04s, and the minimum
synchronic ignition time difference is less than
0.01s, and that have meet the need of simultaneous
ignitions of multi thruster. Five times simultaneous
ignition tests prove that multi small coaxial
hydrogen-oxygen resonance igniter assemblage
scheme can be used in multi thruster multi ignition
of hydrogen-oxygen rocket engine.
3 From ignition tests, small coaxial
hydrogen-oxygen resonance igniter is provided
with high reliability, and low structure weight. It
can be used in multi ignition for multi thruster, and
also can be used in ignition of small
hydrogen-oxygen rocket engine.

propulsion technology, Vol. 25, No.3, June, 2004, pp.

267~270(in Chinese).

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8