Meeting Design Challenges with Multiphysics Simulation

Check out how NASA and others are using numerical modeling to surpass hurdles and optimize complex systems.

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Tech companies use simulation apps to solve design challenges

The following excerpt from COMSOL News 2016spotlights NASA’s use of multiphysics simulation in optimizing the acoustics of rocket propulsion systems, entitled “Multiphysics Software Models Mean Flow-Augmented Acoustics in Rocket Systems. 

Historic difficulties in modeling and predicting combustion instability have reduced most instances of rocket systems experiencing instability to a costly fix through testing, or to scrapping of the system entirely.

During the early development of rocket propulsion technology scientists and engineers were cued to the underlying physics at play through the measurement of vibrating test stands, observation of fluctuating exhaust plumes, and, most notably, the audible tones accompanying instabilities. These observations led the pioneers of combustion instability research to focus their modeling efforts on the acoustic waves inside combustion chambers.

This focus on acoustics is quite logical given that the measured frequency of oscillation often closely matches the normal acoustic modes of the combustion chamber. But this narrow focus misses contributions made by rotational and thermal waves that are a direct result of, or closely coupled with, the acoustic wave. A more complete depiction of combustion instability oscillations is achieved when a global energy-based assessment is used.

Recent advances in energy-based modeling of combustion instabilities require an accurate determination of acoustic frequencies and mode shapes. Of particular interest are the acoustic mean flow interactions within the converging section of a rocket nozzle, where gradients of pressure, density, and velocity become large. The expulsion of unsteady energy through the nozzle of a rocket is identified as the predominate source of acoustic damping for most rocket systems.

Recently, an approach to address nozzle damping with mean flow effects was implemented. This new approach builds upon previous work by solving the acoustic velocity potential equation (AVPE) formulated by perturbing the Euler equations. Determining eigenvalues of the AVPE, is considerably more complex than the traditionally used pressure-based wave equation, and requires numerical approximations of the chamber flow field and eigenvalues.

Modeling Chamber Gas Dynamics

The latest theoretical models for oscillatory disturbances in high-speed flows require a precise determination of the chamber acoustic eigenmodes. But first, a simulation of the mean flow properties of the combustion chamber must be performed.

COMSOL Multiphysics® software provides a numerical platform for conveniently and accurately simulating both the chamber gas dynamics and internal acoustics. This finite element software package provides many pre-defined physics along with a generalized mathematics interface.

The present study employs the COMSOL finite element framework to model the steady flow-field parameters of a generic liquid engine using the High Mach Number Laminar Flow physics interface, which makes use of the fully compressible Navier-Stokes equations for an ideal gas together with conservation of energy and mass equations.

In order to account for the injection of hot gas due to the burning propellant, the injector face plate is modeled with a uniform inward flow of combusted propellant gas. All other solid boundaries are modeled with the slip boundary condition, and the exit plane is modeled with the hybrid outflow condition, which means that both subsonic and supersonic flows are supported.

Results from the mean flow analysis are reviewed to ensure a valid and converged solution. Mean flow parameters such as pressure, density, velocity, and speed of sound are needed to model the AVPE. The values of the mean flow in the converging section of the nozzle, near the sonic choke plane, are of considerable interest. The sonic plane, where the Mach number is equal to 1, creates an acoustic barrier in the flow. In order to create an accurate geometry for the acoustic analysis, the sonic plane is extracted from the mean flow analysis.

Modeling Chamber Acoustics

The Coefficient Form PDE (Partial Differential Equation) mathematics interface of COMSOL Multiphysics is used to determine the complex eigenvalues of the AVPE. Mean flow terms in the AVPE are supplied by the solution from the mean flow analysis. Gas dynamics within the combustion chamber play a key role in defining the boundary conditions for the acoustic analysis. Within the converging and diverging section of the rocket nozzle, gradients of chamber pressure, velocity, and density grow theoretically infinite at the sonic plane where the Mach number is equal to 1. Downstream of the sonic plane, acoustic disturbances are convected with the mean flow at speeds greater than the speed of sound.

This condition prevents disturbances downstream of the sonic plane from propagating back upstream. The diverging section of the nozzle is acoustically silent and does not affect the chamber acoustics. The simulation geometry is truncated at the nozzle sonic line, where a zero flux boundary condition is self-satisfying. The remaining boundaries are modeled with a zero flux boundary condition, assuming zero acoustic absorption on all surfaces.

The eigenvalue analysis produces complex eigenmodes and eigenvalues representing each acoustic mode and its complex conjugate. The real part of the complex eigenvalue represents the temporal damping of the acoustic mode, with the imaginary part defining the frequency of oscillation. The complex eigenvectors represent the spatial amplitude and phasing of the acoustic wave.

Comparing the acoustic mode shapes derived using the classic homogeneous wave equation (Helmholtz equation) to those derived using the AVPE demonstrates the benefits of higher-fidelity models that correctly represent the underlying physics. Inclusion of mean flow terms in the AVPE accurately models the phase shift caused by the steady gas flow.

Phasing is extremely important since combustion instability models make use of temporal and spatial integration of the acoustic eigenvectors.

Utilizing COMSOL Multiphysics to simulate the rocket gas dynamics and acoustic eigenmodes provides a more accurate mode shape over previous techniques. The higher-fidelity acoustic representation is easily incorporated into combustion instability models to give rocket designers and engineers greater predictive capabilities. The inclusion of damping devices, such as baffles, or changes in operating conditions, can now be more accurately modeled before testing.

Continued Work

A more complete depiction of combustion instability includes rotational oscillations and thermal oscillations in conjunction with chamber acoustics. Rotational oscillations occur as a direct result of the acoustic oscillation, where thermal waves can also be present in the absence of acoustic fluctuation. Continued work using COMSOL Multiphysics will focus on solving the viscous rotational wave that accompanies all acoustic oscillations.

Click here to read the 2016 edition of COMSOL News and learn how mathematical modeling is being leveraged as a powerful tool in many other industries.

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