A NEW FACILITY FOR HYPERSONIC FLOW SIMULATION DRIVEN BY A HIGH VELOCITY OXYGEN FUEL GUN

The paper reports on the development of a new Vacuum High Velocity Oxy Fueled Facility (V-HVOF) for Aerothermodynamic and Propulsion applications. The related setup comprises unique equipment designed to test candidate materials for thermal protection systems and mimic experimentally conditions corresponding to hypersonic sustained flow. We illustrate critically the underlying principles, along with a focused description of the various facility subsystems, their interconnections and the specific procedures to be used to overcome some of the inherent complexities embedded in the overall theoretical and technical architecture on which the facility relies. Its performances are finally presented in relation to some prototype applications, together with the indication of the related limits, advantages and possible directions for future improvements