Numerical Characterisation of Supersonic Exhaust Diffusers

M. Srinivasa Rao; Afroz Javed; Debasis Chakraborty

doi:10.14429/dsj.67.9544

M. Srinivasa Rao DRDL, Hyderabad
Afroz Javed DRDL, Hyderabad
Debasis Chakraborty DRDL, Hyderabad

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.67.9544

Keywords: Computational fluid dynamics, High altitude, Supersonic exhaust diffuser, Rocket nozzles

Abstract

Rocket motors that are designed to operate at high altitudes need a nozzle with a large expansion ratio to maximize the thrust at much lower atmospheric pressure than that of the sea level pressure. Accurate performance of these nozzles cannot be obtained when static tested on ground. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analyses have been performed to characterise the supersonic exhaust diffuser (SED). The results obtained from the CFD analyses have been found to be in good agreement with experimental and numerical values reported in the published literature. Started and un-started regions of the SED have been identified with the CFD results.

Author Biographies

M. Srinivasa Rao, DRDL, Hyderabad

Mr M. Srinivasa Rao did his BTech from J.N.T. University, Hyderabad, in 2002 and MTech from National Institute of Technology (NIT) Bhopal, in 2004. Presently he is working in the Directorate of Ramjet Propulsion, Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad. He has published 13 conference papers. His research interests include: Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and propulsion. In the present study, he has contributed in generating the grid, performed numerical simulations and post processed the results.

Afroz Javed, DRDL, Hyderabad

Dr Afroz Javed did his MTech from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, in 1996 and PhD from Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, in 2013. Presently he is working in the Directorate of Computational Dynamics, Defence Research & Development laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad. His research interests include: Computational fluid dynamics (CFD), propulsion, combustion instability, and turbulent compressible mixing. In the current study, he participated in the simulation, results analysis and manuscript preparation.

Debasis Chakraborty, DRDL, Hyderabad

Dr Debasis Chakraborty obtained his PhD (Aerospace Engineering) from Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. Presently, he is working as Technology Director, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), DRDl, Hyderabad. His research areas includes: CFD, aerodynamics, high speed combustion and propulsion. He has more than 215 technical papers in referred journals and conferences. In the current study, he was involved in the problem formulation, analysis of the results and finalisation of the manuscript.