Abstract

A study is conducted to predict graphite/carbon–carbon nozzle erosion behavior in solid rocket motors for wide variations of propellant formulations. The numerical model considers the solution of Reynolds-averaged Navier– Stokes equations in the nozzle, heterogeneous chemical reactions at the nozzle surface, variable transport and thermodynamic properties, andheat conduction in the nozzlematerial. Twodifferent ablationmodels are considered and compared: a surface equilibriumapproach and afinite-ratemodel. Results show that the erosion rate is diffusion limited for metallized propellants, ensuring sufficiently high wall temperatures, and it is kinetic limited for nonmetallized propellants. For low surface temperatures, the twomodels are consistent with each other and predict the same erosion rate, while the surface equilibrium model overpredicts the recession at low surface temperatures. The calculated results show an excellent agreement with the experimental data from the ballistic test and evaluation system motor firings, and the finite-rate model actually improves the predictions when the kinetic-limited regime is approached.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.