Independent innovation! Significant breakthrough achieved in domestic aerospace kerosene

Thread Content

On August 18, a coal-tar-based aerospace kerosene developed jointly by Shaanxi Coal and Energy Group and the Sixth Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation was successfully tested under long-duration conditions for 1,030 seconds on a liquid oxygen-kerosene pump-driven rocket engine at the 130-ton class test site of Institute 165 in Tongchuan. Min Xiaojian, member of the Party Committee and director of Shaanxi Coal Group; Shang Jianxuan, chief engineer; Qu Zhancheng, member of the Party Committee, director and general manager of the Chemicals Group; Lei Hongchun, member of the Party Committee and chairman of Shenmu Coal Chemical Company ； Wang Jianchang, Secretary of the Party Committee of Unit 165 at the Sixth Academy of China Aerospace, and other relevant leaders were present to witness the test. This test was a 1030-second long-duration thermal test of the 130-ton class liquid oxygen-kerosene pump-backward-tilt rocket engine, conducted on the basis of the successful test firing of a 18-ton rocket engine on December 8, 2020, and the successful 300-second long-duration test of a 120-ton class engine on October 23, 2022. This experiment further confirms that coal tar-based coal-derived aerospace kerosene has great application potential in terms of its excellent heat transfer and anti-coking capabilities, as well as its ability to enhance specific impulse, under conditions of ultra-low aromatic content and low sulfur levels. It is of great significance for improving the operational efficiency of Shenmu Coal Chemical Company’s “500,000-ton/year coal tar hydrogenation project for producing naphthenic oil”, and for promoting the clean and efficient utilization of coal by Shaanxi Coal and Chemical Industry Group through quality-based and grade-specific processing. During this period, Min Xiaojian and his party visited the exhibition hall of the 165th Institute of the Sixth Academy of China Aerospace, as well as the engine site in the Tongchuan test area, to gain a thorough understanding of the development history, capacity layout, and future plans for aerospace liquid propulsion. Min Xiaojian stated that the successful trial run is a milestone in the cooperation between Shaanxi Coal and Chemical Industry Group and the Sixth Academy of China Aerospace. Relevant parties should continue to deepen subsequent collaborations, fully leveraging the advantages accumulated by Shaanxi Coal and Chemical Industry Group over the years in the development of high-end coal-based oil products. The group remains committed to contributing to the development of the **aerospace industry**. The two sides also had in-depth discussions on deepening strategic cooperation, gradually expanding the scope of trials, jointly carrying out research and development as well as promotion of applications, and broadening marketing channels, reaching broad consensus that lays a foundation for future complementary strengths and cooperation in various fields.