M1
Cold-flow + ignition, injector down-selects, optical diagnostics
Hydrogen Combustor Program
Combustor
Lean-premix / micromix architectures for ultra-low NOx, flashback-safe operation, and stable flames across transients—validated in pressurized single-sector rigs and packaged for certification.
Evidence flows into emissions & stability maps, hazard analyses, and means-of-compliance. Engines first—aircraft family next.
Why Lean-Premix / Micromix
We target rapid, uniform mixing at short residence time—pushing thermal NOx down—while keeping flashback margins and stability in pressurized conditions.
Low NOx
Short residence, uniform mixing, temperature management.
Flashback-Safe
Geometry + staging + controls to resist upstream flame travel.
Operability
Ignition, blowout boundaries, and smooth transients mapped.
Program Phases
M2
Pressurized single-sector hot-fire; early NOx & stability maps
M3
Staging & geometry tuning; flashback margins across transients
M4
Core-engine integration plan; evidence packaged for cert reviews
How the Combustor System Fits
- Mixing: Fast, uniform lean-premix / micromix to reduce peak temperatures and NOx.
- Flashback Control: Geometries and staging that resist upstream flame propagation.
- Operability: Ignition and blowout boundaries mapped under pressure and transients.
- Evidence Pipeline: NOx/stability maps + test reports feeding cert artifacts.
Architectures evolve with pressurized single-sector data; modules are designed to be reused across engine families.
Evidence
NOx & Stability Maps
- Hot-fire maps across φ / load / pressure
- Ignition & blowout boundaries
- Repeatability + instrumentation uncertainty
Safety
Flashback & Faults
- Flashback margins under pressure
- Graceful degradation behaviors
- HAZOP/FMEA findings → mitigations
Ops
Airport-Pragmatic
- Purge, ventilation, detection interfaces
- Turnaround playbooks for fueling bays
- Maintenance intervals, module swaps
Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR) — our test base
Liberia offers supportive infrastructure, predictable weather, and access to regional hydrogen partners—ideal for rapid test campaigns and public demos.
- Airport & ecosystem alignment for iterative testing
- Efficient logistics and consistent conditions
- A strong sustainability brand for outreach and talent
Certification & Safety Mapping
Artifacts flow cleanly into authority-specific packs
ARP4754A / 4761
System process, FHA/PSSA/SSA; hazards traced to design mitigations and test evidence.
DO-160 / DO-178C
Environmental qualification + software lifecycle. Advisory AI kept out of safety-critical path.
Engine / Airport Norms
Means-of-compliance for engines + ground operations across multiple authorities.
Partner With Us
We co-develop modules and share test data to accelerate certification-ready products.
Combustor Modules
Micromix variants, injectors, liners, optical rigs.
Storage & Delivery
Type-IV tanks, PRD, manifolds, ventilation & detection.
Controls & SW
Transient handling, analytics, advisory AI pipelines.
Airport Pilots
Turnaround playbooks, fueling bays, maintenance flows.
Combustor FAQs
What’s the difference between lean-premix and micromix?
Both target rapid mixing and low temperature peaks. Micromix uses many small jets to prevent large hot zones and limit flashback risk.
How do you characterize flashback?
We vary mixture strength, pressure, and flow, watching for upstream flame travel with optical diagnostics and high-speed sensing.
How are NOx maps built?
We sweep φ and load in pressurized hot-fire, measure emissions, and produce repeatable maps with uncertainty bands.
How does this integrate with the engine core?
Geometry and staging are co-designed with the core for pressure ratios, transients, and control logic; evidence flows to cert packs.