Shaanxi Coal Group’s coal tar-based and coal-based aerospace kerosene achieved complete success in the long-distance testing of 130-ton-class rocket engines

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On August 18, a coal-tar-based aerospace kerosene developed jointly by Shaanxi Coal 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 rear-mounted 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’s aerospace industry, 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, carried out 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 verified the excellent heat transfer and anti-coking properties of coal tar-based coal-based aerospace kerosene, as well as its potential to improve specific impulse under conditions of very low aromatic content and low sulfur levels. It holds great significance for enhancing the operational efficiency of Shenmu Coal Chemical Company’s \"500,000 tons per year coal tar hydrogenation project to produce naphthenic oils,\" as well as for promoting the clean and efficient utilization of coal on a differentiated basis by Shaanxi Coal Group. 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 said that the success of this test drive represents a milestone in the cooperation between Shaanxi Coal Group and the Sixth Academy of China Aerospace. The relevant parties should continue to deepen further collaborations, making full use of Shaanxi Coal Group’s expertise accumulated over many years in the production of high-end oil products based on coal, and remain committed to contributing to the development of China’s 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.