Assumed PDF modeling in rocket combustor simulations

M. Lempke; P. Gerlinger; M. Aigner

doi:10.1051/eucass/201304569

All issues

Volume 4 (2013)

10.1051/eucass/201304569

Abstract

Open Access

Issue		Volume 4, 2013 Progress in Propulsion Physics


Page(s)		569 - 582
Section		Chapter Five. Combustion diagnostics and modeling
DOI		https://doi.org/10.1051/eucass/201304569
Published online		06 March 2013

Progress in Propulsion Physics 4 (2013) 569-582

Assumed PDF modeling in rocket combustor simulations

M. Lempke, P. Gerlinger and M. Aigner

University of Stuttgart, Institute of Combustion Technology 38-40 Pfaffenwaldring, Stuttgart 70569, Germany

Abstract

In order to account for the interaction between turbulence and chemistry, a multivariate assumed PDF (Probability Density Function) approach is used to simulate a model rocket combustor with finite-rate chemistry. The reported test case is the PennState preburner combustor with a single shear coaxial injector. Experimental data for the wall heat flux is available for this configuration. Unsteady RANS (Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes) simulation results with and without the assumed PDF approach are analyzed and compared with the experimental data. Both calculations show a good agreement with the experimental wall heat flux data. Significant changes due to the utilization of the assumed PDF approach can be observed in the radicals, e. g., the OH mass fraction distribution, while the effect on the wall heat flux is insignificant.