Overcoming Fuel-Air Mixing Issues with Pulsed Scramjets and Pelletized Fuel

In this paper the concept of a pulsed Scramjet using pelletized fuel is examined. The aim is to overcome the main technical problem inherent in more traditional designs – poor air-fuel mixing. In this new paradigm, airflow is diverted away from the main engine duct and fuel pellets are injected at timing intervals which ensure that they are evenly distributed throughout the mixing volume. The main airflow is then permitted to enter the duct and the inertia of the pellets allows the air to envelop and then vaporise them - and so their fuel load is evenly spread through the duct volume. The paper outlines the basic concept and calculations and simulations are used to demonstrate its feasibility.