A computational framework for predicting the combustion of energetic materials in an expanding chamber. Issue 11 (5th November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hu, Chaobin; Zhang, Xiaobing
• Is Part Of: International journal of numerical methods for heat & fluid flow. Volume 28:Issue 11(2018)
• Page Start: 2606
• Page End: 2619
• Publication Date: 2018-11-05
• Subjects: Finite element method -- Fluid-structure interactions -- Weak coupling; Heat -- Transmission -- Mathematics -- Periodicals; Fluid dynamics -- Mathematics -- Periodicals; 536.2
• DOI: 10.1108/HFF-02-2018-0052
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0961-5539

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: Various simplifications are introduced into the establishment of numerical models for problems with strong nonlinear interactions. The combustion of energetic materials in a chamber with moving boundaries is a typical example. This paper aims to establish a coupled numerical model for predicting the internal combustion in a launch process. Design/methodology/approach: A two-fluid model is used to predict the fluid field induced by the propellant combustion. The moving boundary is located by using a finite element method. Based on a user subroutine interface in the commercial software ABAQUS, the development of the fluid field and the mechanical interactions is coupled with each other. Findings: The paper is devoted to provide a coupled computational framework for predicting the propellant combustion in an expanding chamber. The coupling strategy is validated through predicting a pressure-driven piston system. Based on the validated computational framework, the two-phase reactive flows in a launch process is studied. The predicted parameters agree well with experimental measurements. Originality/value: This paper provide a method to address the difficulties in realizing the dynamic interactions between multi-phase reactive flows and mechanical behaviors. The computational framework can be used as a research tool for investigating fluid field in a combustion chamber with moving boundaries.