Hydrogen arcjet sealing techniques and thermal analysis

A hydrogen arcjet has been designed and fabricated using active propellant cooling of critical engine components. Except for one necessary inspection flange, this developmental arcjet is a completely welded assembly. A nickel gasket was shown to function as a reliable metal seal for this inspection flange during high temperature cycling. Major arcjet components were subjected to tests designed to qualify these components for the operating environment anticipated during actual arcjet operation. A finite element heat transfer model was developed and used to analyze conduction, radiation and convection cooling effects. These analyses showed adequate cooling of critical arcjet engine components could be achieved using a combination of radiative and active propellant cooling techniques.