The use of variational principles in improving computational fluid dynamics methodology

摘要

The objective of this investigation was to produce a CFD model which is computationally efficient, robust, and readily adaptable to complex geometries and which accurately describes the physics of a gas mixture reacting with a specified set of chemical kinetic rates. The primary application of this model is expected to be the evaluation of advanced rocket motor designs and the plumes associated with such motors. Analyses of the space shuttle main engine and solid rocket motors flow fields were also made. The final result of this investigation is an advanced version of the FDNS code which performs all of the steps necessary to predict reacting gaseous propulsive flow fields. Numerous propulsion related problems were analyzed and the results were compared to other analyses or to test data in order to validate this advanced code. The FDNS code provides the methodology required to describe gas flows in advanced propulsion systems sufficient for preliminary design studies.