Control oxygen flow hybrid rocket engine

[Delphin]

Hi all, I built a small hybrid rocket engine and I would like to control the arrival of oxygen in the engine with an arduino card. What do you advise me: a solenoid valve? A valve with a servo motor? If possible, could you specify a model? It's been a while that I'm looking for without finding in reasonable prices.

Thank you in advance for your help

 

[ericm541]

Could you be more specific as to what your trying to do? I'm thinking you mean oxidizer, which would typically be nitrous oxide. A solenoid valve at the pad with proper GSE is generally how it's done.

 

[Delphin]

Could you be more specific as to what your trying to do? I'm thinking you mean oxidizer, which would typically be nitrous oxide. A solenoid valve at the pad with proper GSE is generally how it's done.

I use oxygen as oxidizer and i'm trying to control the arrival of oxygen in the engine. Would you have a precise reference of solenoid valve ? Thank you

 

[ericm541]

I would suggest researching basic hybird methods that apply to hobby rocketry,without knowing all the details of what your trying to accomplish. My experience is with NOX and the solenoids used are not cheap.

 

[dhbarr]

"reasonable prices" and "rated for oxygen service" don't really go together, particularly if we add the "light enough to fly" constraint.

https://www.mcmaster.com/mv1556821767/itmLookup/itmLookup.aspx?searchstring=49895K31 is one example that has been used for a similar application.

Looks like it costs about $200, doesn't appear to be oxygen rated, and weighs about a half pound.

 

[cwbullet]

This could quickly transition to the topic of research which is verboten on this part of the forum. Also keep in mind ITAR since this initiator is in France.

 

[jderimig]

Here is one that will do the trick. You will have to know what your flow is and pick the right model.

https://www.noswizard.com/nitrous-control/nitrous-revo-valves/fuel-revo-150-bhp-770.html

 

[ericm541]

Doesn't say anything about use with oxygen which is what the OP intends to use, that and the source of his oxygen.

 

[Steve Shannon]

Doesn't say anything about use with oxygen which is what the OP intends to use, that and the source of his oxygen.

It’s a nitrous valve; why wouldn’t all nitrous valves be oxygen compatible?

 

[ericm541]

It’s a nitrous valve; why wouldn’t all nitrous valves be oxygen compatible?

I'm aware of this, wanted to see if OP would catch it, probably too soon and I don't type sarcasm well it seems.

 

[heada]

At LOX temps, valves and the like that are good for NO2 may not be good for LOX. Also, while NO2 and LOX are both oxidizers, I believe that you still need to play close attention to oxygen rated devices/fittings because LOX is such a better oxidizer than NO2.

Needless to say, using LOX is not something for someone without a lot of knowlege.

 

[dhbarr]

I presumed GOX here ; if liquid, stop and try again in a couple of years maybe.

 

[DaveW6DPS]

It’s a nitrous valve; why wouldn’t all nitrous valves be oxygen compatible?

Off-label uses might work, but they might not. Oxygen rating is specific to high purity O2. There are specifics of temperature, viscosity (if liquid), etc. So no, not all non-O2 valves are compatible with O2.

 

[G_T]

And making the wrong valve choice can lead to very big fires or worse.

Gerald