¶ Purpose, Objective and Scope
A static fire test aims to characterise the burn profile of the engine and to analyse its performances. Different parameters will be tested depending on the need (Max thrust, duration, steady-state thrust,..). This document is a general operation procedure for SFT of the demo A3 engine.
¶ Definitions and Abbreviations
- ND : Normative Document
- RD : Reference Document
- CC : Control container
- TC : Test container
- OP : Operation procedure
- N2O : Nitrous oxide
- ETH : Ethanol
- N2 : Nitrogen
- SFT : Static fire test
- TF : Test facility
¶ Applicable and Reference Documents
This OP aims to guide through the steps to achieve a SFT of the demo A3 engine from a safe state of the TF (engine on the thrust plate, empty tanks and no pressurization), the SFT and the comeback to a safe state.
| Check |
Responsible for: |
Name |
| □ |
Equipment Checklist |
AC-TL |
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Safety |
CSO |
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Documenting/Reporting |
AC-TL |
| □ |
Responsible for the operations on-site |
AC-TL |
| □ |
Preparing the operations on-site |
AC-TM 1 |
| □ |
Preparing the operations on-site |
AC-TM 2 |
¶ Previous Operations and Assembly Procedures
| Check |
Item |
Qty |
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Item |
Qty |
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Demo A3 |
1 |
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HugoBoard |
1 |
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Main valves assembly |
1 |
| □ |
Gimbal (in case of vector control test) |
1 |
| Check |
Item |
Tool Ref |
Qty |
Image |
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Wrench set (8 wrenches) |
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Hex key set (1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10) |
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Wrench – ajustable (small, medium, large) |
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Permanent marker |
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Tape (duct tape and carrossier) |
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Multimeter |
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N2O bottle (50L) |
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2 N2 bottle (50L) |
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Mischung bottle (5L) |
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Scale (up to 100kg) |
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Talkie-walkies (4) |
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Earplugs (6) |
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Safety glasses (6) |
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¶ Procedure Body
| Check |
Step |
Operation |
Responsible |
Part Ref |
Image |
| □ |
1 |
Unpack all the material |
AC-TM |
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2 |
COO Quick brief on journey operations |
COO |
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3 |
CSO briefing |
CSO |
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4 |
Setup the test stand and other structural equipment |
AC-TM |
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5 |
Prepare the mixture ratio (ETH 90%- water 10%) |
AC-TM |
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6 |
Setup DAQ |
AC-TM |
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7 |
Setup WAGO |
AC-TM |
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8 |
Run a blank test |
AC-TL |
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9 |
Check the valves status |
AC-TM |
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10 |
COO final check |
COO |
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11 |
Distribute safety glasses |
CSO |
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12 |
Open the 8 bars N2 bottle |
AC-TM |
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13 |
Open SO, MO |
AC-TM |
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14 |
Close VO |
AC-TM |
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15 |
Open LO for 5s |
AC-TM |
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16 |
Close SO, MO, VE, DO, LO |
AC-TM |
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17 |
Turn on servo's alimentation |
AC-TM |
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18 |
Tare sensors |
AC-TM |
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19 |
Fill ETH tank |
AC-TM |
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20 |
Bring the ethanol canister to the CC |
AC-TM |
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| □ |
21 |
Open the 40 bars N2 bottle |
AC-TM |
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22 |
Open the N2O bottle |
AC-TM |
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23 |
COO check |
COO |
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24 |
All operators back to the CC |
AC-TM |
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25 |
Open FO to fill the tank and maintain the pressure between 25 and 30 [bar] by using the vent VO |
AC-TM |
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26 |
Vent VO to reduce the temperature (-15C) |
AC-TM |
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27 |
Open PN |
AC-TM |
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28 |
Distribute earplugs and open mouth |
AC-TM |
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29 |
Change the name of the data recording (KiStudio) |
AC-TM |
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30 |
CSO brief |
CSO |
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31 |
Start the recording of the sensors |
AC-TM |
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32 |
Launch the automated sequence WAGO interface |
AC-TM |
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33 |
Watch the fire |
AC-TM |
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| Check |
Step |
Description |
Responsible |
Part Ref |
Image |
| □ |
1 |
N2O purge |
AC-TM |
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2 |
Vent |
AC-TM |
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3 |
End data acquisition |
AC-TM |
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4 |
Wait for pressure to reach 0 [bar] in both tanks |
AC-TM |
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5 |
Close ALL gas bottles |
AC-TM |
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6 |
Open ethanol purge |
AC-TM |
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The TF is now safe.
| Check |
Step |
Description |
Image |
| □ |
1 |
Nobody injured or dead |
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| □ |
2 |
No material damage |
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| □ |
3 |
Beautiful fire |
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| □ |
4 |
Test's objectives fullfilled |
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In case of non-nominal behaviour:
Whatever the problem, the first thing to do is always to check the status of the system.
If it is still pressurised, apply the OP [After the test] to depressurize the system!
Below you will find a list of the main problems that can be encountered during testing.
| If flames are present after the test |
| Depressurize the system |
| Analyse the situation |
| If manageable fire : CSO use the fire extinguisher/fire blanket |
| If large flames : Evacuate the TF and call the fire department (118) |
| If a person is injured |
| Call 144 and follow the orders received |
IMPORTANT
If, during testing, you encounter problems many times, it is more than necessary to STOP and think of a solution!
Testing rocket engines is not a game so it is important that safety rules always come first !