Numerical analysis of solid rocket nozzles via a lagrangian-eulerian approach

The present study investigates the impact of multiphase flow on solid rocket nozzle performance using a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) framework. The condensed-phase particles within the gas flow are tracked using a Lagrangian-Eulerian (LE) method, which provides greater flexibility compared to the Eulerian-Eulerian (EE) approach employed in previous studies, ensuring a more accurate rebuilding of the behavior of large size particles. The outcomes of the LE approach are therefore compared with the EE results in terms of performance evaluation, demonstrating the higher versatility of the former. Given the inherently polydisperse nature of the particle size distribution resulting from the combustion of aluminized solid propellants, particular emphasis is placed on the role of such size distribution. The performed simulations indicated that size distribution have a non negligible impact on nozzle performance.