Reacting Flow Simulations of a Dual Throat-Dual Fuel Thruster

Numerical simulation of the supersonic turbulent reacting flow field in a dual throat- dual fuel rocket thrust chamber is presented. Future single stage to orbit and high lift space transportation missions aspire a reliable, efficient, and cost-effective propulsion systems. The dual throat-dual fuel concept is a simple altitude compensating propulsion alternative with reusable possibilities. Turbulent reacting supersonic flow field emanating from independent thrust chambers needs to be resolved for a better understanding of the flow structures and design modifications for the performance improvement. The operation of a dual throat nozzle brings about a unique shock train in reacting supersonic flow. Two-dimensional axis-symmetric compressible reacting flow field has been solved using HLLC (Harten, Lax, van Leer, with Contact wave) scheme based finite volume Riemann solver with multi-step finite rate chemistry model for hydrocarbon/hydrogen-oxygen combustion. The computational procedure has been validated with experimental data for species distribution of a coaxial supersonic combustor. Chemical species distribution in the supersonic free shear layer is analyzed in detail to explore the nature of active reaction zones in the flow field.

Reacting Flow Simulations of a Dual Throat-Dual Fuel Thruster Keywords:

Advection Upstream Splitting Method , Single , stage to orbit mission , Reusable propulsion systems , Turbulent , reacting flows , rate chemistry model , Finite