The modeling and the analysis of the coolant flow in rocket engine applications is a challenging task because of its particular features, such as the extremely high entering heat flux (up to 10 MW/m2 ), the high Reynolds number (up to 10^7) and the three-dimensional geometry of the channel. In case of methane as coolant, a further complication is the transcritical operating condition of the fluid. In this thermodynamic regime large changes of the fluid properties can greatly influence the coolant flow-field and the heat transfer. In the present work numerical simulations of 2D-axisymmetric flow-fields of fluids in trans- critical regime are presented. The numerical solutions are validated against experimental data of transcritical-hydrogen flow in heated circular channel. Then numerical simulations of transcritical-methane in circular channel are carried out; each simulation is characterized by a different heat flux (from zero to 15 MW/m2 ). Results are discussed in detail and the transcritical-methane flow condition that exhibits the heat transfer deterioration is identified and emphasized.
CFD analysis of heat transfer to transcritical fluids in liquid rocket engines / Pizzarelli, Marco; Urbano, Annafederica; Nasuti, Francesco; Onofri, Marcello. - 659 SP:(2009). (Intervento presentato al convegno 6th European Symposium Aerothermodynamics for Space Vehicles tenutosi a Versailles nel 3 November 2008 through 6 November 2008).
CFD analysis of heat transfer to transcritical fluids in liquid rocket engines
PIZZARELLI, MARCO;URBANO, ANNAFEDERICA;NASUTI, Francesco;ONOFRI, Marcello
2009
Abstract
The modeling and the analysis of the coolant flow in rocket engine applications is a challenging task because of its particular features, such as the extremely high entering heat flux (up to 10 MW/m2 ), the high Reynolds number (up to 10^7) and the three-dimensional geometry of the channel. In case of methane as coolant, a further complication is the transcritical operating condition of the fluid. In this thermodynamic regime large changes of the fluid properties can greatly influence the coolant flow-field and the heat transfer. In the present work numerical simulations of 2D-axisymmetric flow-fields of fluids in trans- critical regime are presented. The numerical solutions are validated against experimental data of transcritical-hydrogen flow in heated circular channel. Then numerical simulations of transcritical-methane in circular channel are carried out; each simulation is characterized by a different heat flux (from zero to 15 MW/m2 ). Results are discussed in detail and the transcritical-methane flow condition that exhibits the heat transfer deterioration is identified and emphasized.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.