Ramjet combustion is a process that occurs in a type of air-breathing engine known as a ramjet, which operates efficiently at supersonic speeds. Unlike traditional jet engines, ramjets do not have moving parts such as compressors or turbines; instead, they rely on the high-speed incoming air to compress the fuel-air mixture. The combustion process begins when the compressed air enters the combustion chamber, where it is mixed with fuel, typically a hydrocarbon like aviation gasoline or kerosene. The mixture is ignited, resulting in a rapid expansion of gases, which produces thrust according to Newton's third law of motion.
The efficiency of ramjet combustion is significantly influenced by factors such as airflow velocity, fuel type, and combustion chamber design. Optimal performance is achieved when the combustion occurs at a specific temperature and pressure, which can be described by the relationship:
Thrust=m˙⋅(Ve−V0)
where m˙ is the mass flow rate of the exhaust, Ve is the exhaust velocity, and V0 is the velocity of the incoming air. Overall, ramjet engines are particularly suited for high-speed flight, such as in missiles and supersonic aircraft, due to their simplicity and high thrust-to-weight ratio.