Turbulent Methane Oxygen CFD Thermal Effects on Rotating Detonation Engine

Abstract

Thermal effects from Methane-Oxygen stoichiometric simulated heat of combustion in a turbulent annular rotating detonation engine (RDE) have been found to be manageable without the need of thermal management supporting subsystems under 1 second short pulse runs. Computer fluid dynamic simulations, using methane Lower Heating Value, show the current radially injected mixing design and copper & stainless-steel material choice to provide enough thermal management benefits. The transient and steady state thermal benefits of radially staggered injected fuel and oxidizer was explored in detail as well as the heat flux through walls and the overall dissipation of energy through conduction, convection, and radiation. Thermal management design improvements were also explored to increase the engine lifecycles.