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Numerical Analysis of Aerospike Engine Nozzle Performance at Various Truncation Lengths

Dakka, Sam; Dennison, Oliver

Numerical Analysis of Aerospike Engine Nozzle Performance at Various Truncation Lengths Thumbnail


Authors

SAM DAKKA Sam.Dakka@nottingham.ac.uk
Assistant Professor

Oliver Dennison



Abstract

The aerospike engine was first devised in the early 1960s where it provided new means of reaching orbit in a single stage. The paper aimes to demonstrate the viability of the technology by showcasing the increased nozzle thrust efficiency over the conventional bell nozzle. Various truncations were applied to the nozzle and each was subjected to two conditions, an over-expansion and near optimum condition. The nozzle contour was developed using the simple approximation method and was chosen to replicate that of the XRS-2200. This anchored the data, thereby validating the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation. Simulations were completed for at nozzle pressure ratios (NPR) of 58 and 15. Velocity vector plots and contours were generated in which the recirculation region can be clearly identified. This region is a result of the negative thrust contribution of the base and grows increasingly negative when the truncation applied increases in addition to when the exhaust flow is over-expanded. The results demonstrate the performance gain of the full-length aerospike nozzle, , over all other truncations. At NPRs of 58 and 15 it showed 1.5% and 10.3% gain respectively in the nozzle thrust efficiency compared to . There are, many impracticalities related to the full-length aerospike including cooling on the nozzle. Therefore, provide a realistic nozzle truncation that would be implemented. Although radical design changes to the rocket will be required for the adaptation of the aerospike engines, the changes will be beneficial in the long term. By increasing the nozzle thrust efficiency compared to bell nozzles, less fuel will be required per launch. Furthermore, removing the multi-stage method currently used, overall, the rocket will have an increased reliability due to its reduced complexity.

Citation

Dakka, S., & Dennison, O. (2021). Numerical Analysis of Aerospike Engine Nozzle Performance at Various Truncation Lengths. International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace, 8(2), Article 12. https://doi.org/10.15394/ijaaa.2021.1601

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jun 18, 2021
Online Publication Date Jun 18, 2021
Publication Date Jun 18, 2021
Deposit Date Sep 19, 2021
Publicly Available Date Sep 21, 2021
Journal International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace
Publisher Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 8
Issue 2
Article Number 12
DOI https://doi.org/10.15394/ijaaa.2021.1601
Keywords Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality; Aerospace Engineering; Civil and Structural Engineering
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/6291513
Publisher URL https://commons.erau.edu/ijaaa/vol8/iss2/12/
Additional Information Scholarly Commons © 2021

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