Scientists from Omsk State Technical University (OMGTU) have proposed a method for safe evacuation of remaining fuel from spent stages of the Soyuz-2 rocket. According to the university press service, we are talking about neutralizing hydrogen peroxide (HP), which is stored in a special rocket tank and often causes fires when the side blocks fall. The method developed by the researchers involves passing residual fuel through a discharge line using residual pressure.
Project leader Professor Valery Trushlyakov said the team suggested adding a special valve and control device to the rocket design. This system starts the unloading process after the side block separates and starts rotating. Mathematical modeling in Ansys Fluent confirmed that approximately 90% of the fuel could be removed in 45 seconds, with the remaining 10% vaporizing or freezing as the pressure decreased.
The authors are confident that their method reduces environmental risks and the likelihood of fires where ladders fall. They emphasize that the proposed method can be useful not only for Soyuz-2 rockets, but also for other modern and promising launch vehicles. The research was supported by a grant from the Russian Science Foundation and the results were published in the journal Cosmonautics and Rocket Science.
Source: Ferra
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