Numerical simulation of single and multiple jet interaction within a combustor

Abstract

Single and multiple jet interaction in a combustor is simulated numerically to determine the effects of various k-epsilon models and boundary conditions as part of an attempt to understand the physics of the flow field inside the preburner of the Space Shuttle Main Engine. Due to the complexity of the physical and chemical phenomena involved, the model is simplified to two dimensions and a single-component nonreacting fluid. The computer code used is the modified TEACH code, which is a steady state isothermal fluid code using the SIMPLE algorithm. The physical validity and numerical accuracy of the model are established through comparisons with experimentally determined isothermal flow fields in a combustor.