Possible Condensation in Rocket Exhaust Plumes 2
Abstract
The results of a computational study of one aspect of condensation in the exhaust plume consisting of H2O and H2 of an Apollo rocket engine are reported. Saturation of water vapor occurs at about 225K in the plume. Hydrogen remains unsaturated in the given flow field. Under the assumption of steady state nucleation, onset of H2O condensation by homogeneous nucleation is estimated to occur at x=47, 40, and 13 m, i.e., about 45, 38, and 13 m downstream of the nozzle exit plane, along theta=0.0, 0.3, and 0.8 stream tubes, respectively. It is further estimated that at x=150 m along the center stream tube a cloud of ten billion H2O droplets/cm3 is formed. The mass mean radius of this cloud of droplets is about 17 angstrom, and there are only about 1/100 as many droplets with r=14 angstrom or 21 angstrom as with r=17 angstrom.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1973
- Accession Number
- AD0760039
Entities
People
- Benjamin J. Wu
Organizations
- Yale University