Simulation of Convergent Divergent Rocket Nozzle using

CFD Analysis
 ABSTRACT

CFD is a branch of Fluid Mechanics which rely on numerical methods and

algorithms to solve and analyze problem that involves fluid flow. CFD

analysis has been conducted to analyze flow pattern of supersonic rocket

nozzle at various degree of divergent angle by using two-dimensional axis-

symmetric model, which solves governing equation by a control volume

method. Variation in parameters like velocity, static pressure, turbulence

intensity and temperature are being analyzed. Objective of this research is

to is to investigate best suited divergent angle. The phenomena of oblique

shock is visualized and it was found that at 15 degree of divergent angle it

is completely eliminated from nozzle. Also, intensity of velocity is found to

have an increasing trend with increment in divergent angle thereby obtaining

an optimum divergent angle which would eliminates instabilities due to

shock and satisfy the thrust requirement from the nozzle.

 CHAPTER – 1

INTRODUCTION

A nozzle is a device which is used to give the direction to the gases coming
out of the combustion chamber. Nozzle is a tube which has a capacity to convert the
thermo-chemical energy generated in the combustion chamber into kinetic energy.

The nozzle converts the low velocity, high pressure, high temperature gas in
the combustion chamber into high velocity gas of lower pressure and low
temperature. A convergent divergent nozzle is used if the nozzle pressure ratio is
high.

High performance engines in supersonic aircrafts generally incorporate some

form of a convergent-divergent nozzle. Our analysis is carried using software’s like
Ansys Workbench for designing of the nozzle and Fluent 15.0 for analyzing the
flows in the nozzle.

In the present days there is a huge development in Aerospace Engineering for

in various prospects. Extensive research is being carried out in the fields like civil
and defense prospects.

The virtualization is one of the major developments in the field of research,

which has revolutionized Aerospace engineering, along with all other branches. The
computational techniques are being used widely for getting better results, which are
close to experimental techniques.

The flow through a convergent-divergent nozzle is one of the benchmark

problems used for modelling the compressible flow through computational fluid
dynamics.

In this paper CFD analysis of a convergent divergent rocket nozzle is done by

varying the number of divisions in Mesh and obtaining results for various parameters
like pressure, temperature, properties, wall fluxes, Mesh, velocity and adaption.
 Nozzle is used to convert the chemical-thermal energy generated in the
combustion chamber into kinetic energy. The nozzle converts the low velocity, high-
pressure, high temperature gas in the combustion chamber into high velocity gas of
lower pressure and temperature.
Swedish engineer of French descent who, in trying to develop a more efficient
steam engine, designed a turbine that was turned by jets of steam. The critical
component the one in which heat energy of the hot high-pressure steam from the
boiler was converted into kinetic energy was the nozzle from which the jet blew onto
the wheel?
De Laval found that the most efficient conversion occurred when the nozzle
first narrowed, increasing the speed of the jet to the speed of sound, and then
expanded again.
Above the speed of sound (but not below it) this expansion caused a further
increase in the speed of the jet and led to a very efficient conversion of heat energy
to motion.

LITERATURE SURVEY – II

I. Computational Fluid Dynamics, Abdulnaser Sayma.

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) This chapter focuses on
computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The array of examples illustrates how
computational fluid dynamics has evolved through decades of rigorous development
of numerical techniques. CFD computation involves the generation of a set of
numbers or digits that provides a realistic approximation of a real-life fluid system.
The main benefit of learning CFD is to gain experience and a thorough
understanding of the flow physics, and the fundamentals of the numerical techniques
and models. Additionally, practical guidelines for good operating practice are
needed to increase competency in the use of this powerful tool. This chapter
addresses all of the aforementioned issues to better equip the reader with the
necessary background material for a good understanding of the internal workings
inside a CFD code, and its successful operation. More recently, CFD is
revolutionizing the teaching and learning of fluid mechanics and thermal science in
higher education institutions through visualization of complex fluid flows.
Development of some CFD-based educational software packages such as FlowLab
by ANSYS have allowed students to visually reinforce the concepts of fluid flow
and heat transfer through a “Virtual Fluids Laboratory.” This software also allows
teachers to create their own examples or customize predefined existing ones. Using
carefully constructed examples, students are introduced to the effective use of CFD
for solving fluid-flow problems and can instinctively develop an intuitive feel for
the flow physics.
II. Design and Analysis of Rocket Engine Nozzle by using CFD and
Optimization of Nozzle parameters, International Journal of Engineering
Research, P. Parthiban, M. Robert Sagayadoss, T. Ambikapathi, Vol.3.,
Issue.5., 2015 (Sept.-Oct.).

This paper is dealing with the design of Thrust Vectoring Nozzle using CFD
analysis for 2D nozzle design on which flow takes place at Subsonic speed and it is
analyzed to the variation in various deflection angle and Flow Parameters. Flow
Parameters such as Pressure, velocity and mass flow rate are noted and Thrust
generation will be calculated with the help of this Flow parameters. Same procedure
is repeated for different deflection angle of nozzle. Main objective of this paper is to
optimize the effectiveness of Deflection angle in the TVC Nozzle. Hence calculated
numerical values are used to plot the graph between Deflection angle vs Thrust.
Another Graph which graphically represents the proportionality between the
difference in Thrust and Deflection angle of Nozzle. Hence effectiveness of
Deflection angle is optimized to increase the application of Thrust Vectoring in
Subsonic Aircrafts.

III. Analysis Of Dual Bell Rocket Nozzle Using Computational Fluid

Dynamics,IJRET: International Journal of Research in Engineering and
Technology eISSN: 2319-1163 | pISSN: 2321-7308 Balaji Krushna.P, P.
SrinivasaRao, B. Balakrishna .

The vent or opening is called nozzle. The objectives are to measure the flow
rates and pressure distributions within the converging and diverging nozzle under
different exit and inlet pressure ratios. Analytic results will be used to contrast the
measurements for the pressure and normal shock locations. In this paper
computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Analysis of various performance parameters
like static pressure, the Mach number, intensity of turbulence, the area ratio are
studied in detail for a rocket nozzle from Inlet to exit by using Ansys Fluent software.
From the public literature survey, the geometry co-ordinates are taken. The throat
diameter and exit and diameter are same for all nozzles. After the simulation the
results revealed that the divergence angle varies the Mach number and other
performance parameters also varies. For smaller nozzle angle the discharge
coefficient increases with increasing pressure ratio until the choked condition is
reached for varying the divergence angle.

IV. Dual-Bell Nozzles for Rocket Engines of Launch Vehicle Upper Stages and
Orbital Transfer Vehicles,’’ AIAA Paper 97-3089, 33rd
AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference & Exhibit,USA, Luglio,
Dumonov, G., Ponomaryov, N.B. and Voinov, A.L.,(1997)``.

In order to evaluate the impact of dual bell nozzles on the payload mass
delivered into geostationary transfer orbit, detailed studies were conducted. Here,
the main stage of the standard Ariane 5 ECA configuration was adapted using a
redesigned Vulcain 2 rocket engine with dual bell nozzle extension. For this reason,
a multitude of potential dual bell nozzle contours were designed.
As the most upstream starting point of the dual bell nozzle extension the
position of the turbine exhaust gas injection was chosen. Restrictions for nozzle
expansion ratio and nozzle length were given by the launch pad geometry ELA 3 of
Centre Spatial Guyanais (CSG) launch site in French Guiana. The two main
variation parameters in this study were the starting point and the inflection angle of
the dual bell nozzle extension. For each geometry, characteristic parameters e.g. spe-
cific impulse in sea-level and in altitude mode were evaluated. Considering this
parameter an analytical and a numerical method were applied to predict the impact
of the dual bell nozzle on the payload mass gain.
The analytical approach derives the velocity increment, ∆v for a standard
Ariane 5 ECA ascent, based on the Tsiolkovsky rocket equation. The obtained ∆v
was compared with the ∆v of the modified Ariane 5 ECA including the designed
dual bell nozzles. Assuming a constant velocity increment for all configurations, the
payload mass gain was determined. A simple correlation for the estimation of
payload mass gain was found.
The numerical approach was conducted applying DLRs trajectory simulation
code TOSCA-TS.To include the additional structure mass due to the new nozzle
extension in the calculations, the mass of all configurations was estimated. Both
procedures yield good agreement for the calculated payload mass increase. The
payload gain was evaluated to approximately 450 kg into geostationary transfer
orbit.
V. Analysis of Flow in Convergent-divergent rocket engine nozzle using
Computational Fluid Dynamics, International Conference Of Scientific Paper
Afases 2015 Brasov, 28-30 May 2015, Bogdan-Alexandru Belega, Trung Duc
Nguyen.

CFD is a branch of Fluid Mechanics which rely on numerical methods and

algorithms to solve and analyze problem that involves fluid flow. CFD analysis has
been conducted to analyze flow pattern of supersonic rocket nozzle at various degree
of divergent angle, Mach numbers etc. This paper aims to study the behavior of flow
in convergent divergent nozzle by analyzing various parameters like pressure,
temperature and velocity using computational fluid dynamics
software(C.F.D).These results were further plotted comparing them with analytical
values.

VI. Advanced Nozzle Concepts for Future Rocket Engine Applications’’, 4th
International Conference on Launcher Technology, Liege, Belgium,
Hagemann, G., Immich, H. and Preuss, A,(3-6 December 2002,).

An innovative technical solution that overcomes the limitation induced by

flow separation phenomena and allows increasing the vacuum-specific impulse of
a main stage rocket engine is presented. After reviewing the open technical
literature on flow separation and advance nozzles design, the newly proposed
concept is extensively presented. Three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics
analyses and experimental results (cold gas subscale models) demonstrate the
effectiveness of a simple device, adaptable to any bell-shaped nozzle and which
provides a solution to the flow separation issue, while increasing vacuum-specific
impulse performances for booster and main stage engines. Moreover, this new
concept gives rise to a wider engine-throttling range, even at low altitude, without
incurring flow separation and associated side loads. Experimental data show a
potential for favorable behavior even during transient phases, allowing significant
reduction on transient side-loads activity. Finally, three-dimensional computational
fluid dynamics computations have been extended to the hot tiring case (chemically
reactive hydrogen/oxygen propellants), both in steady-state and transient
conditions. The results show the suitability of the proposed concept for application
to real rocket engines.
VII. CFD Analysis of a Rocket Nozzle with Two Inlets at Mach .1, vJournal of
Environmental Research and Development, Vol 5, No 2,2010, (pp 308-321)
K.M.Pandey and S.K.Yadav,.

In this work CFD investigation of weight and temperature for a rocket spout
with four channels at Mach 2.1 is examined with the assistance of familiar
programming. at the point when the fuel and air enter in the ignition chamber as
indicated by the x and y plot, it is smoldering because of high speed and
temperature and afterward temperature increments quickly in burning chamber
and joined a portion of the spout and after that temperature diminishes in the way
out some portion of the spout. it is deduced in this paper Four gulf rocket spout is
having preferred execution over single channel and two deltas as seen from the
past exploration work done.

VIII. Computational Analysis of Shockwave in Convergent Divergent Nozzle,

International Journal of Engineering Research and Applications (IJERA),
ISSN: 2248-9622, Vol. 2, Issue 2, Mar-Apr 2012, pp.1597-1605. P,
Padmanathan, Dr. S. Vaidyanathan.

In this paper the main focus was given to convergent nozzle where both
the experimental and numerical calculations were carried out with the support
of standardized literature. In the recent years the field of air breathing and non-
air breathing engine developments significantly increase its performance. To
enhance the performance of both the type of engines the nozzle is the one of the
component which will play a vital role, especially selecting the type of nozzle
depends upon the vehicle speed requirement and aerodynamic behavior at most
important in the field of propulsion.
The convergent nozzle flow experimental analysis done using scaled
apparatus and the similar setup was arranged artificially in the ANSYS software
for doing the flow analysis across the convergent nozzle. The consistent
calculation analysis are done based on the public literature survey to validate
the experimental and numerical simulation results of convergent nozzle. Using
these two experimental and numerical simulation approaches the best fit
results will bring up to meet the design requirements. However, the comparison
also made to meet the reliability of the work on design criteria of convergent
nozzle which can entrench in the field of propulsion applications.
IX. Flow Analysis of Rocket Nozzle Using Computational Fluid Dynamics
(Cfd), International Journal of Engineering Research and Applications
(IJERA), ISSN: 2248-9622, Vol. 2, Issue 5, September- October 2012, pp.1226-
1235. Natta, Pardhasaradhi.; Kumar, V. Ranjith.; Rao, Dr. Y.V. Hanumantha.

Having its specific flow characteristics, a convergent divergent nozzle finds

its applications in various field such as aerospace technology, chemical and
power plant also. Thus, it is required to know flow phenomenon associated with
convergent divergent nozzles to utilize their capabilities to their fullest. In this paper
2-d axial symmetric flow analysis for compressible flow through a convergent -
divergent nozzle is carried out with the help of Computational Fluid Dynamics tools
(Gambit 2.4.0.0 and Fluent 14.5 for modelling and analysis respectively).
The problem is solved by standard K- epsilon turbulent model. The contours and
vectors are drawn for pressure, velocity, temperature and Mach number to ascertain
out the design condition for convergent - divergent nozzles.
Key words: convergent divergent nozzle, fluent, Gambit.

X. CFD Analysis of Conical Nozzle for Mach 3 at Various Angles of Divergence

with Fluent Software, International Journal of Chemical Engineering and
Applications, Vol. 1, No. 2, August 2010, ISSN: 2010-0221. Pandey, K.M.;
Singh, A.P.

Tunnels have very severe air quality constraints that typically require good
ventilation system. The process of removing air from any space
by mechanical means is known as evacuation. Evacuation of exhaust and smoke in
case of fire emergencies is very necessary to bring in fresh air as it leads to pressure
and temperature build up which causes discomfort to the passengers travelling
especially in long tunnels. Generally, in longitudinal ventilation, a jet blower fan
enclosed in a cylindrical casing is used for ventilation. These jet fans accelerate the
air by imparting it an impulse in the desired direction. The main aim is to optimize
the design and replace the jet blower fan cylindrical enclosure by a CD Nozzle. The
suction fan along with rotor is exactly placed at the throat of the nozzle. The
modeling is done using CATIA V5 software and CFD flow and modal analysis is
carried out using ANSYS V 15.0. Various parameters like pressure, temperature,
density, humidity and mass flow rate of air are measured and compared with the
conventional model by experimentation and the results are validated.

Keywords: CD Nozzle; Evacuation; Longitudinal ventilation; Jet fan;

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD).
 CHAPTER – 3

BLOCK DIAGRAM