Numerical analysis of the thermal characteristics of a gas-dynamic ignition system

• Published in: Journal of mechanical science and technology Vol. 32; no. 5; pp. 2385 - 2390
• Main Authors: Lee, Jaewon, Lim, Daehong, Seo, Seonghyeon, Kang, Sang Hun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Seoul Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers 01-05-2018; Springer Nature B.V; 대한기계학회
• Subjects: Axial flow; Computer simulation; Control; Dynamical Systems; Engineering; Flow characteristics; Flow velocity; Ignition systems; Industrial and Production Engineering; Kinetic energy; Mass flow; Mechanical Engineering; Nozzle flow; Nozzles; Numerical analysis; Rocket engines; Thermal energy; Vibration; Working fluids; 기계공학; OpenFOAM; Rocket engine restarts; Resonance heating; Gas-dynamic igniter
• ISSN: 1738-494X; 1976-3824
• DOI: 10.1007/s12206-018-0450-z

As a multiple-start ignition method for liquid-fuel rocket engines, the gas-dynamic igniter has many advantages, such as a simple configuration, low weight and high structural strength. However, because of the complexity of the flow of the working fluid, the details of the thermal processes involved are not clearly understood. In this study, the thermal and flow characteristics of a gas-dynamic igniter are investigated through numerical simulations using the software OpenFOAM. The simulation results show that the pressure within the igniter undergoes oscillations. The axial flow velocity decreases across the pressure wave front so that the kinetic energy of the flow is converted to thermal energy. The temperature increase within the oscillation tube of the igniter is strongly correlated with the entry mass flow. Therefore, the tube inlet area should be designed according to the igniter nozzle flow to achieve the best performance from a gasdynamic igniter.