Numerical Simulation of Reacting Flow in a Thermally Choked Ram Accelerator - Model Development and Validation.

摘要

Computational fluid dynamics solutions of the Navier-Stokes equations have been applied to both non-reacting and reacting in-bore flowfields for a ram accelerator projectile launch system. In this system a projectile is injected at supersonic velocity into a stationary tube filled with a pressurized mixture of hydrocarbon, oxidizer and inert gases. After ignition, the shock system generated by the projectile can result sustained combustion around and aft of the projectile. This energy release process which travels with the projectile also generates high pressures and imparts thrust to the projectile. Numerical simulations reveal in-bore flowfield details and provide a good comparison with measured launch tube wall pressures for both non-reacting and reacting flows and a 38mm system. Computations are also used to investigate a proposed 120mm ram accelerator system.