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Solar rocket plume/mirror interactionsThe extent to which the plume from a solar thermal rocket will impinge on the solar collector is studied by flow field analysis. Such interaction can adversely affect collector performance through fouling, excessive heat loading, or pressure loads that deform the delicate structures. The geometrical shape of the collector is such that only the flow from the nozzle boundary layer can reach it, but the thrust levels of interest lead to very viscous nozzle flows with thick boundary layers. Reasonable accuracy in solving these flows requires a fully coupled viscous-inviscid procedure. Results show that the fraction of the plume that hits the collector can be well estimated by continuum theory, but that transitional and rarefied phenomena will have some impact on how it is distributed over the surface. Initial results for one representative condition show that approx. 4 percent of the total flow in the jet makes its way to the collector. The pressures on the collector, however, remain quite low because of its distance from the engine. Additional work is needed to document the effect of thrust scaling and wall cooling on impingement.
Document ID
19910009746
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Yu, Sheng-Tao
(Sverdrup Technology, Inc., Brook Park OH., United States)
Chang, Chau-Lyan
(High Technology Corp. Hampton, VA., United States)
Merkle, Charles L.
(Pennsylvania State Univ. University Park., United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1991
Subject Category
Aerodynamics
Report/Patent Number
NAS 1.26:185300
NASA-CR-185300
E-5774
Accession Number
91N19059
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS3-25266
CONTRACT_GRANT: F04611-84-C-0028
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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