Expendable Gasifier

The expendable gasifier provides, in a single cost-effective configuration, the core for either a jet fuel starter or a thrust engine for remotely piloted vehicles (RPV's). The gasifier is 12.9 inches in diameter, 18.6 inches long, weighs 78 pounds, and consists of a four-stage axial compressor, a reverse-flow annular vaporizer combustor, a single stage axial turbine and a bearing system that supports the main shaft. The expendable gasifier was designed, fabricated and tested during this program. Test results verified the viability of the gasifier as a potential core for jet fuel starters or thrust engine for RPV's, and cost analysis shows that, in the jet fuel starter application, the expendable gasifier would substantially reduce the life cycle cost versus conventional jet fuel starters. (Author)