Prediction of engine and near-field plume reacting flows in low-thrust chemical rocketsA computational model is employed to study the reacting flow within the engine and near-field plumes of several small gaseous hydrogen-oxygen thrusters. The model solves the full Navier-Stokes equations coupled with species diffusion equations for a hydrogen-oxygen reaction kinetics system and includes a two-equation q-omega model for turbulence. Predictions of global performance parameters and localized flowfield variables are compared with experimental data in order to assess the accuracy with which these flowfields are modeled and to identify aspects of the model which require improvement. Predicted axial and radial velocities 3 mm downstream of the exit plane show reasonable agreement with the measurements. The predicted peak in axial velocity in the hydrogen film coolant along the nozzle wall shows the best agreement; however, predictions within the core region are roughly 15 percent below measured values, indicating an underprediction of the extent to which the hydrogen diffuses and mixes with the core flow. There is evidence that this is due to three-dimensional mixing processes which are not included in the axisymmetric model.
Document ID
19930038652
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Weiss, Jonathan M. (NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Merkle, Charles L. (Pennsylvania State Univ. University Park, United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1993
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Report/Patent Number
AIAA PAPER 93-0237
Meeting Information
Meeting: AIAA, Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit