This technology will provide NASA with an efficient, robust multiphysics propulsion modeling and prediction tool that is built on coordinated advances in computer science, multiphysics modeling and high fidelity algorithms. The research product will provide enabling engineering and scientific technologies to model and predict acoustically driven propulsion related flow problems while reducing development, test, evaluation and production costs. Potential enhancements include improved two phase flow combustion models, enhanced droplet/turbulence interaction modeling, variable real fluids transport properties, expanded thermodynamic databases and extended model validation. The proposed computational tool is also applicable to water spray systems for suppression of rocket launch and test stand acoustic energy.
The growing trend toward coupled multiphysics analyses is opening significant new markets as more difficult problems can be addressed using advanced computational techniques. The ability to robustly model acoustically driven combustion instability problems in propulsion will allow the commercial aerospace and defense industries to improve design and development of new products streamline ground testing and reduce flight risk. Our analysis software can also be applied to such varied commercial applications as coal, natural gas and food processing systems. The basic architecture of the modeling framework can remain the same while new plug-in modules are developed to address different physics and design requirements.
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