Large Eddy Simulation of Liquid Rocket Injection and Combustion Processes

Abstract

Improvements in computational speed and capacity have made application of the Large Eddy Simulation (LES) technique feasible for increasingly complex flows. This method has been used both as a fundamental tool for understanding turbulence and for modeling the effects of turbulence in a variety of engineering applications. This seminar will provide a perspective on LES and its application to turbulent combustion, with emphasis placed on the complex thermo-physical processes typically encountered in liquid-rocket engines. Simulating these processes hinges on 1) the development of a unified theoretical-numerical framework, 2) algorithmic development, optimization and the application of high-performance massively-parallel computing, and 3) defining a systematic progression of target cases for model validation and analysis. Progress made in these three areas will be outlined and anchored with a set of case studies that show comparisons of LES results with companion laboratory experiments. The presentation will highlight the value of tightly coupling LES studies with key target experiments and the enabling capabilities provided by high-performance computational platforms.