Qiuwang Wang, Feng Wu, Min Zeng, Laiqin Luo and Jiguo Sun
To find the optimal number of channels of rocket engine thrust chamber, it was found that the optimal channel number is 335, at which the cooling effect of the thrust chamber…
Abstract
Purpose
To find the optimal number of channels of rocket engine thrust chamber, it was found that the optimal channel number is 335, at which the cooling effect of the thrust chamber cooling channel reaches the best, which can be helpful to design rocket engine thrust chamber.
Design/methodology/approach
The commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software FLUENT with standard k‐ε turbulent model was used. The CFD method was validated via comparing with the available experimental data.
Findings
It was found that both the highest temperature and the maximal heat flux through the wall on the hot‐gas side occurs about the throat region at the symmetrical center of the cooling channel. Owing to the strong curvature of the cooling channel geometry, the secondary flow reached its strongest level around the throat region. The typical values of pressure drop and temperature difference between the inlet and exit of cooling channel were 2.7 MPa and 67.38 K (standard case), respectively. Besides an optimal number of channels exist, and it is approximately 335, which can make the effect of heat transfer of cooling channels best with acceptable pressure drop. As a whole, the present study gives some useful information to the thermal design of liquid rocket engine thrust chamber.
Research limitations/implications
More detailed computation and optimization should be performed for the fluid flow and heat transfer of cooling channel.
Practical implications
A very useful optimization on heat transfer and fluid flow in cooling channel of liquid rocket engine thrust chamber.
Originality/value
This paper provides the performance of optimization on heat transfer and fluid flow in cooling channel of liquid rocket engine thrust chamber, which can make the effect of heat transfer of cooling channels best with acceptable pressure drop. As a whole, the present study gives some useful information to the thermal design of liquid rocket engine thrust chamber.
Details
Keywords
Peyman Maghsoudi, Sadegh Sadeghi, Qingang Xiong and Saiied Mostafa Aminossadati
Because of the appreciable application of heat recovery systems for the increment of overall efficiency of micro gas turbines, promising evaluation and optimization are crucial…
Abstract
Purpose
Because of the appreciable application of heat recovery systems for the increment of overall efficiency of micro gas turbines, promising evaluation and optimization are crucial. This paper aims to propose a multi-factor theoretical methodology for analysis, optimization and comparison of potential plate-fin recuperators incorporated into micro gas turbines. Energetic, exergetic, economic and environmental factors are covered.
Design/methodology/approach
To demonstrate applicability and reliability of the methodology, detailed thermo-hydraulic analysis, sensitivity analysis and optimization are conducted on the recuperators with louver and offset-strip fins using a genetic algorithm. To assess the relationship between investment cost and profit for the recuperated systems, payback period (PBP), which incorporates all the factors is used as the universal objective function. To compare the performance of the recuperated and non-recuperated systems, exergy efficiency, exergy destruction and corresponding cost rate, fuel consumption and environmental damage cost rates, capital and operational cost rates and acquired profit rates are determined.
Findings
Based on the results, optimal PBP of the louvered-fin recuperator (147 days) is slightly lower than that with offset-strip fins (153 days). The highest profit rate is acquired by reduction of exergy destruction cost rate and corresponding decrements for louver and offset-strip fins are 2.3 and 3.9 times compared to simple cycle, respectively.
Originality/value
This mathematical study, for the first time, focuses on introducing a reliable methodology, which covers energetic, exergetic, economic and environmental points of view beneficial for design and selection of efficient plate-fin recuperators for micro gas turbine applications.