Solid rocket motors (SRMs) are widely used in space propulsion systems owing to their simplicity, reliability, and high thrust performance. This study focuses on the three-dimensional flow dynamics in SRMs equipped with inhibitors and nozzle cavities, which are critical components for controlling propellant combustion and optimizing thrust performance. Using the building-cube method, high-fidelity numerical simulations were conducted to analyze the internal flow field of a sub-scaled SRM model, including the effects of nozzle cavity geometry and volume on recirculation flow structures, velocity profiles, and vorticity distributions. The results revealed that the geometry and volume of the nozzle cavity significantly influenced the recirculation flow structures and their interactions with the nozzle head. Larger cavity volumes reduce the impact of recirculation flows on the nozzle head but introduce longitudinal recirculation flows, which contribute to flow field instability. The velocity and vorticity profiles show that cavity designs can mitigate flow instabilities near the nozzle head. However, excessive cavity volumes can lead to secondary flow phenomena. This study highlights the importance of three-dimensional flow analysis for understanding the complex interactions between inhibitors, nozzle cavities, and the surrounding flow field. The findings provide new insights for optimizing SRM design, particularly in reducing pressure oscillations and improving stability. Future studies should focus on unsteady flow phenomena using large-eddy simulations and experimental validation to further elucidate the mechanisms underlying flow-induced instabilities in SRMs.
新着論文
2025年7月15日
「固体燃料ロケットのキャビティ形状の違いによる内部流れ場への影響」に関する論文がFluid Dynamics Resarchに掲載されました.
本研究室で研究開発している直交格子積み上げ法(BCM)を適用した数値解析ソルバーを用いて,固体燃料ロケットのキャビティ形状の違いによる内部流れ場への影響に関する論文がFluid Dynamics Resarchに掲載されました.詳細については,下記の学術論文をご覧ください.
論文タイトル:Three-dimensional cold flow analysis of the effect of the nozzle cavity volume on the internal flowfield in a solid rocket motor using the building-cube method
著者:Shinichiro Ogawa, Daisuke Sasaki
掲載論文:Fluid Dynamics Resarch 57 (2025), 045503
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1873-7005/adeadd
Abstract: