🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <9298@tekecs.TEK.COM> philb@maya.UUCP (Phil Biehl) writes:
>In article <5270001@hpisof0.HP.COM> campbelr@hpisof0.HP.COM (Bob Campbell) writes:
>>SSME Specifications     (Full power level)
>.
>.
>>Flowrates:
>>   Total                 1,130 lb/s     22,557 gpm
>>   Hydrogen                160 lb/s     16,436 gpm
>>   Oxygen                  970 lb/s      6,121 gpm
>
>Does the above flowrates indicate tha actual combustion mixture present at the
>combustion chamber? If so then why is there a greater ratio than 2 parts H to
>one part O? I would think that the extra hydrogen would be unconsumed making
>the engine less efficient than it could be... What am I missing?
>
>Phil Biehl

True, some of the hydrogen goes unconsumed.  There are two problems with
the perfect 8:1 mass ratio:

    1) The metals of the engine cannot handle the temperature of the
       reaction.  So the hydrogen acts as a coolant.

    2) *I'm not positive of this one*  The temperature of the 8:1
       reaction is enough to disassociate some of the water back into 
       hydrogen and oxygen therefore *lowering* the efficiency.
       *Anybody know for sure?*

			    John Gregor