What is the meaning of Cryogenic Engine?
Cryogenics refers to the study of the production and effects on the behaviour of materials at highly low temperatures i.e. below – 150-degree centigrade. It is technically a complex system as the propellants are used at very low temperatures. Each kilogram of cryogenic propellant gives more force than other solid or liquid propellants used in rockets.
These engines use Liquid Oxygen (LOX) and Liquid Hydrogen (LH2) as propellants. Liquid Oxygen liquefies at -183 degrees C and Liquid Hydrogen does at -253 degrees C. Both are stored in their respective tanks from where they are further pumped into the turbo pump with help of separate booster pumps. Other major parts of the cryogenic engine are as follows:
- Combustion/thrust chamber
- Igniter
- Fuel Injector
- Fuel Cryo Pumps
- Oxidizer Cryo Pumps
- Gas Turbine
- Cryo Valves
- Regulators
- Fuel Tanks
- Rocket Engine Nozzle
