Analysis of Physical and Numerical Factors for Prediction of UV Radiation from High Altitude Two-Phase Plumes

Abstract

Numerical study of a 5,900 lb solid propellant thruster plume at an altitude of 118 km is performed using a combined multi-step continuum/kinetic approach. The Navier-Stokes equations are solved for the flow inside the nozzle and the first several meters into the plume. The DSMC method is used to simulate the remaining plume and the plume-free stream interaction. A Monte Carlo based radiation code is applied in an overlay mode to calculate UV radiation in the near and far field of the plume. The computations take into account both alumina particles and soot. The effect of alumina particle emissivities and size distribution, as well as soot concentration, on UV radiation is clarified. Comparison of numerical results with available UV measurements is conducted.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 30, 2008
Accession Number
ADA486078

Entities

People

  • James G. Reuster
  • Natalia E. Gimelshein
  • Robert B. Lyons
  • Sergey F. Gimelshein

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Aluminum Oxides
  • Boundary Layer
  • Computational Fluid Dynamics
  • Computations
  • Equations
  • Far Field
  • Flow
  • Free Stream
  • Gas Flow
  • Heat Transfer
  • Measurement
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Navier Stokes Equations
  • Particle Size
  • Propulsion Systems
  • Solid Propellants

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerospace Propulsion Engineering.
  • Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
  • Thin Film Deposition Science.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster