Research on the flow and heat transfer characteristics of RP-3 and structural optimization in parallel bending cooling channels

Abstract

The regenerative cooling channel is curved due to the unique structural form of the combined nozzle of the turbine-based combined cycle engine for hypersonic flight. Research on the flow and heat transfer characteristics of fuel in the parallel bending cooling channels is insufficient, which causes difficulties in properly designing the thermal protection structure of the combined nozzle. This paper numerically investigated of the flow and heat transfer characteristics of hydrocarbon fuel RP-3 under non-uniform heating conditions in parallel bending cooling channels. The basic heat flux is 0.50 MW/m2, and the heat flux ratio of the upper and lower channels is 1.2, 1.5, and 2.4 respectively. The heat transfer and flow distribution mechanisms of RP-3 in parallel bending channels are revealed. The bending structure is beneficial to reduce thermal stratification and prevent heat transfer deterioration caused by buoyancy. In the pseudo-critical region of the channel, a “thermal insulation zone” is formed due to the low thermal conductivity of RP-3, which hinders the transfer of heat to the mainstream and causes heat transfer deterioration. When the fluid temperature is below 455 K, viscosity is the primary factor affecting the flow resistance difference between parallel channels. As the temperature further increases, the density difference and velocity difference between the parallel channels dominate in the flow resistance differences. Additionally, a connected hole structure in the middle of the bending section has been applied to optimize the flow deviation of parallel bending channels, which promotes the secondary distribution of flow. Finally, the influence mechanism of the connected hole on flow distribution has been studied under different heat flux ratios and connected hole widths.