Overheating Anomalies during Flight Test Due to the Base BleedingIn this paper we present the results of the analytical and numerical studies of the plume interaction with the base flow in the presence of base out-gassing. The physics-based analysis and CFD modeling of the base heating for single solid rocket motor performed in this research addressed the following questions: what are the key factors making base flow so different from that in the Shuttle [1]; why CFD analysis of this problem reveals small plume recirculation; what major factors influence base temperature; and why overheating was initiated at a given time in the flight. To answer these questions topological analysis of the base flow was performed and Korst theory was used to estimate relative contributions of radiation, plume recirculation, and chemically reactive out-gassing to the base heating. It was shown that base bleeding and small base volume are the key factors contributing to the overheating, while plume recirculation is effectively suppressed by asymmetric configuration of the flow formed earlier in the flight. These findings are further verified using CFD simulations that include multi-species gas environment both in the plume and in the base. Solid particles in the exhaust plume (Al2O3) and char particles in the base bleeding were also included into the simulations and their relative contributions into the base temperature rise were estimated. The results of simulations are in good agreement with the temperature and pressure in the base measured during the test.
Document ID
20140005978
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Luchinsky, Dmitry (MCT, Inc. Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Hafiychuck, Halyna (Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies, Inc. (SGT, Inc.) Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Osipov, Slava (MCT, Inc. Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Ponizhovskaya, Ekaterina (Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies, Inc. (SGT, Inc.) Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Smelyanskiy, Vadim (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Dagostino, Mark (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Canabal, Francisco (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Mobley, Brandon L. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)