Experimental and Numerical Investigations of RP-2 Under High Heat Fluxes
Abstract
Interest in developing reusable, long-life, liquid hydrocarbon fueled rocket engines has continued to grow in recent years. Of critical importance in designing and developing an engine with these characteristics is of course the fuel and its impact on potential cooling schemes. For several years now, the Air Force Research Laboratory Propulsion Directorate has been developing the capability to examine the thermal performance of newly emerging petroleum distillate fuels such as RP-2, an advanced grade of ultra-low sulfur rocket kerosene. This paper reports recent experiments and numerical simulations of RP-2 cooled thermal stability tests conducted in the AFRL High Heat Flux Facility located at Edwards AFB, CA. Heat transfer measurements and simulations of those experiments using Metacomp's CFD++ conjugate heat transfer capability were conducted over heat fluxes ranging from 2-10 BTU/in2/s, channel velocities from 26-165 ft/s, and wall temperatures from 840-1135 deg F. A Nusselt number correlation comparison of experimental results to well-known Dittus-Boelter and Sieder-Tate correlations and the NASA/GRC correlation of Stiegemeier et. al is presented for Reynolds numbers between 5,000-35,000. Computational comparisons with experimental measurements are made and represent the first steps in producing a validated predictive computational capability.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA467838
Entities
People
- H. Y. Lyu
- M. C. Billingsley
- R. W. Bates
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory