Combustion of Date Stone and Jojoba Solid Waste in a Hybrid Rocket-like Combustion Chamber

Abstract

The performance of two solid biomass wastes, date stone and jojoba solid waste, was experimentally examined for their potential application in combustion and propulsion systems. The fuels were tested in a hybrid rocket-like combustion environment, and the test result was analyzed with combustion and propulsion parameters. The performance of both fuels was comparatively evaluated and compared with a conventional hydrocarbon fuel in a hybrid rocket, with paraffin wax serving as a baseline. A compression device was introduced to compress the solid biomass wastes into a circular-shaped fuel grain compatible with a hybrid rocket combustion chamber with a hot surface ignitor. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and chemical equilibrium analysis (CEA) results revealed that the performance of the biomass fuel can be comparable to conventionally used hydrocarbon paraffin-wax-based propellant within a certain range of oxidizer-to-fuel ratio, in terms of theoretical specific impulse performance. Through experimental performance tests, it was found that the compressed biomass fuel grains were successfully ignited and produced thrust. Both biomass fuels tested in a hybrid rocket combustion chamber are expected to pave the way for further developments in biomass fuels in the waste-to-energy field for their application in combustion and propulsion systems, potentially replacing fossil fuels with renewable resources.