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Project # 38
Computational Modeling and Dynamic Analysis of Transient Flowfields in Aerospike Nozzles
| Team Lead: | Khushi Piparava |
| Other Team Members: | |
| Faculty Advisor(s): | Liwei Zhang |
| Department: | MAE |
| Project Type: | Other Undergraduate |
| Title: | Computational Modeling and Dynamic Analysis of Transient Flowfields in Aerospike Nozzles |
| Abstract: | Rotating detonation engines (RDEs) promise improved efficiency and specific impulse through continuously propagating detonation waves in annular combustor chambers. This study investigates an advanced nozzle design incorporating an aerospike with a contoured ramp and an optionally truncated central spike, aimed at efficiently transforming high-energy exhaust into thrust. Using ANSYS Fluent, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations capture detailed pressure, velocity, and temperature distributions under steady-state and transient conditions. A rigorous grid independence study established a mesh that balanced computational efficiency with accuracy while density-based solvers addressed compressibility in supersonic flows via conservation equations for mass, momentum, and energy, supplemented by the ideal gas law and Sutherland's viscosity model. Transient analyses revealed dynamic phenomena such as shock diamonds, shear layers, and complex interactions between shocks and expansion waves, which affect thrust production and pressure losses. To better understand these unsteady behaviors, Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) was applied, extracting dominant flow modes that highlight regions for potential geometric optimization. Integrating CFD with machine-learning techniques offers a robust, data-driven framework for advancing nozzle development and improving propulsion performance in aerospace applications. The incorporation of machine learning not only enhances transient flow analysis but also streamlines design optimization, accelerating innovation in aerospace engineering and paving the way for significant progress. |
| Poster: | View Poster #38 (PDF) |
| Judges Scoring: | Submit Evaluation (judges only) |