Propultion systems
TURBOPUMPS
Turbopumps are one of the main components in liquid propellant engines for aerospace use. These machines offer extreme performance, as they are designed to feed the combustion chamber with propellants drawn from tanks that are pressurized to hundreds of bars.
They have enormous power density (such as 6500 HP in a mass of 250 kilograms), are exposed to extreme environments (at temperatures ranging from cryogenic to over 1000°C), bear highly aggressive liquids such as liquid oxygen, and work at an astounding rotation speed.
Avio is responsible for the production of the Liquid Oxygen Turbopumps for the Vulcain 2.1 (main stage) and VINCI (upper stage) engines of the Ariane 6 launcher.
avio’s TURBOPUMPs
VULCAIN 2.1 ENGINE LIQUID OXYGEN TURBOPUMP
The Vulcain 2.1 (Mk2) turbopump is common to both the Ariane 5 program and the Ariane 6 launcher family currently under development.
The Vulcain 2.1 (Mk2) liquid oxygen turbopump offers a flow rate and outlet pressure that are 30% higher than the Vulcain 1. As compared with its predecessor, the Mk2 turbopump features a host of improvements in hydraulics, balance, sealing, and turbine performance.
In particular, Avio improved the Dynamic Seal Package (DSP) which acts as the physical separation between the hot gasses that feed the turbine (which have a temperature up to +600°C) and the liquid oxygen on the pump side (which has a temperature of -180°C), and the Active Balancing System (ABS), which compensates for the axial forces generated by the turbine.
AVIO'S TURBOPUMPS
VINCI ENGINE LIQUID OXYGEN TURBOPUMP
The Vinci liquid oxygen turbopump has a lower flow rate and outlet pressure than the Vulcain 2.1.
Avio developed and tested numerous key technologies for the unit, including a new, more compact type of Dynamic Seal Package (DSP) which acts as the physical separation between the hot gasses that feed the turbine (+600°C) and the liquid oxygen on the pump side (-180°C).
Avio uses various facilities and dedicated test benches for the development of its liquid oxygen turbopumps and works jointly with the University of Liege in Belgium.
