Overview
Artifact classification
- Category: Academic artifact hub
- Skill themes: Fluid dynamics analysis, thermal reasoning, workflow automation
- Problem context: Developing and Testing RDE models to further research into creating and commericalizing RDRE’s
- Method: Utlize CFD software to garner insight into behvaiours within an RDE
Featured CFD Proposal Artifact
Proposal summary
- Simulated aerospike geometries across Mach 3 to Mach 5 with thermal-load focus
- Quantified peak heat-flux ranges on the order of 3 to 5 MW for decision framing
- Proposed hot-pressed silicon nitride for thermal feasibility
- Evaluated drag/apogee trends and integrated findings into a deployable concept design
Current work
- Simulate Fluid Solid CHT to quanitfy heat flux in an RDE
- Quanitify the Heat Load in an RDE with an emphasis on boundary layer interactions
Tooling
Typical CFD workflow tooling
- Geometry and CAD in Solidworks
- Meshing such as Pointwise, ANSYS Meshing, snappyHexMesh
- Solvers such as OpenFOAM, SU2, ANSYS Fluent
- Post processing such as ParaView, Tecplot, Python notebooks
- Automation such as Python scripts, CI checks, and templated cases
External Aerodynamics
Focus areas
- Drag prediction across Mach and Reynolds number ranges
- Control surface effects such as airbrakes and fins
- Sensitivity to angle of attack and surface roughness
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Internal Flow and Nozzles
Focus areas
- Nozzle expansion and pressure distribution
- Boundary layer behavior and losses
- Geometry sweeps and parametric studies
Heat Transfer and Aerothermal
Focus areas
- Convective heat flux estimation and trends
- Wall temperature prediction with coupled or simplified models
- Material limits and margin tracking
Post Processing and Automation
Focus areas
- Batch runs and case templating
- Consistent plots and summary tables
- Data reduction for design reviews