Thermophysics and Aeromechanics, 2018, Vol. 25, No.

DOI: 10.1134/S0869864318020129

Features of heat transfer in a pre-nozzle volume

of a solid-propellant rocket motor
with charges of complex shapes
1 1,2
B.Ya. Benderskiy and A.A. Chernova*
1
Kalashnikov Izhevsk State Technical University, Izhevsk, Russia
2
JSC INNTS, Izhevsk, Russia

E-mail: alicaaa@gmail.com*

(Received June 17, 2017)

Local features of thermophysical processes in the channels and pre-nozzle volumes of solid-propellant rocket
engines with case-bonded charges of different cross-sectional shapes are considered. The influence of the charge shape
on the heat exchange in the nozzle bottom is investigated. It is shown that the value of the Nusselt number at a critical
point on the multi-nozzle bottom is determined both by the charge channel form and by the geometry of the pre-nozzle
volume. By processing the numerical experimental results the criterial dependences for determining the Nusselt
number in the areas of local increase of heat exchange intensity are obtained. The obtained dependences are compared
with the known empirical formulas [1–4]. It is found that the use of empirical relationships to estimate the Nusselt
number leads to incorrect determination of the parameters of heat transfer on the armored surfaces of the charge,
the nozzle covers, and the input parts of the submerged rotating nozzle.

Key words: solid-propellant rocket engine, pre-nozzle volume, nozzle bottom, mathematical modeling, heat
transfer, criterial equations, Nusselt number.

Introduction
Developing new designs of solid-propellant rocket engines requires an assessment of
the thickness of the thermal protective coating of the nozzle cover of the combustion chamber
[1, 2]. Such an assessment is impossible without information about the features of heat
exchange processes in the flow-through paths of the rocket engine. At the same time, in the de-
sign of rocket engines, there is a need for a preliminary evaluation of heat fluxes depending on
the intra-chamber parameters and geometric features of the developed product [3, 4]. For this
purpose, semi-empirical and empirical criterion equations seem to be useful.
Analysis of existing methods for determining and calculating heat transfer in the com-
bustion chamber and in the pre-nozzle volume of a rocket motor shows that the empirical
relationships are used [1, 3, 4] for the evaluation of heat fluxes at the curved inner surface.
The most often used is the criterial equation of Kraussold [5] obtained for the problem of heat
transfer of a plate. Besides, the high-demanded are the relations obtained in [1, 4], either
containing temperature gradients (formulas of Gaukhman–Ilyukhin, Petukhov–Kirillov, etc.),
or based on the analysis of experimental data for the problem of heat exchange in a cylindrical
channel (Ekkert's formula [6]).

 B.Ya. Benderskiy and A.A. Chernova, 2018

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B.Ya. Benderskiy and A.A. Chernova

The pre-nozzle volume (PV) of the rocket engine is characterized by the proportionality
of longitudinal, transverse, and circumferential dimensions. There the Reynolds numbers are
5 6
~ 10 −10 , hence, in the PV of the solid-propellant rocket motor (SRM), the spatial turbulent
flow is realized. That is the design features of the front and rear pre-nozzle volumes require
taking into account the three-dimensional flows and cannot be described by the models of
a plate or a cylindrical channel.
In modern research works, the processes of heat transfer occurring in the flow paths and
pre-nozzle volumes of solid propellant motors are poorly elucidated. Some works on experi-
mental study of heat transfer processes deserve special attention [7, 8]; however, the appli-
cation of their results in the SRM design is difficult. Among the works using the methods of
mathematical modeling of heat transfer processes, the research [9–13] is noteworthy. However,
they lack criterial relations that are useful in terms of practice. The work [13] shows that
the flow in the pre-nozzle volume and the combustion chamber is three-dimensional and has
vortex structures. In addition, it demonstrates the need to correct and clarify the known
methods for calculating the convective heat transfer coefficient in the vicinity of the nozzle
bottom. Thus, the analysis of the literature shows the relevance and necessity of thorough
validation of the existing engineering techniques [1–4] as applied to the calculation of heat
fluxes on the nozzle bottoms.
This work is devoted to numerical study of heat transfer processes occurring in the flow
paths (channel and pre-nozzle volume) of the solid-fuel rocket engine, as well as to the assess-
ment of the correctness of the known engineering techniques.

Heat exchange in the pre-nozzle volume of the rocket engine

The conjugate heat transfer problem is considered. The stationary spatial turbulent flow of
compressible heat-conducting gas in the pre-nozzle volume of SRM with charges of various
sgapes (channel-slot (Fig. 1a), star-shaped (Fig. 1b), and end-type (Fig. 1c) [14, 15]) is
described by the following system of equations:

∂ρ ∂t + ∇ρ v = 0,
dv
ρ = ρ F − ∇p + DivP,
dt
d v2 
ρ  CvT + =  ρ Fv + ∇ ( Pv ) + ∇q, (1)
dt  2 
∂T
cρ = λ ∇ 2T ,
∂t
p T = ρR,

where ρ is the gas density, p is the pressure, v is the velocity vector, F is the bulk force, P =
1  ∂V ∂V  2
j
= µ  i +  − µδ ij Div v is the stress tensor, T is the temperature, q is the vector of heat
2  ∂x j ∂xi  3
flux density, R is the gas constant, µ is the dynamic viscosity, λ is the coefficient of thermal
conductivity, δij is the Kronecker symbol, and c is the specific heat. To close the system of
equations (1), taking into account the recommendations [14], we use the turbulence model of
Menter SST k−ε.
Boundary conditions were defined as follows: gas flow rate and initial turbulence inten-
sity were set at the inlet, distributed injection (velocity V) was set on the surface of the mass
supply (the burning charge), and no-slip and impermeability conditions were set on the cham-
ber walls and armored surfaces.

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Fig. 1. Pre-nozzle volume of SRM with charges of different shapes of cross section:
channel-slot (а), star-shaped (b), and end-type (c).

The flow parameters in the inlet section were assigned with values: Ta = 500 – 2500 K,
Ga = 0.1 – 20 kg/s, Tua = 5 %, K, and on the surface of injection Tk = 500 – 2500 K, Gk =
= 1 – 20 kg/s, the indicator of gas adiabat k = 1.2–1.4, and the ratio of gas flow supplied from
the slot cuts (supra-nozzle gap) to the gas flow coming from the main channel was determined
by the ratio K g = Ga / Gk .
On the boundary between a solid and gas, the condition of equality of heat fluxes was set.
Constant heat transfer coefficient and ambient temperature were set at the external boundaries
of the solid not contacting the working body [14].
It should be noted that the present work considers the thermophysical processes occurring
in the quasi-stationary mode of the engine operation characterized by the maximum intensity of
heat exchange processes.
All computational schemes, algorithms, and the mathematical model used were
thoroughly verified on the problems with a detailed experimental description [7]. Qualitative
and quantitative agreement of calculated and experimental data was obtained in [15, 16].
The peculiarities of the flow in the flow-through paths and the pre-nozzle volume of the com-
bustion chamber with a four-nozzle cover and a slot charge were considered in detail in [15].
So this paper will only provide the velocity fields and limit flow lines necessary to understand
the thermophysical picture.
Since the process of heat exchange is to a certain extent determined by the gas-dynamic
background of the flow, and topological features of the flow, in turn, are associated with
the geometric characteristics of the channels and paths, it is advisable to consider and describe
the thermophysical processes in the combustion chamber for each of the paths and volumes
separately.
The flow in the vicinity of the multi-nozzle bottom is determined primarily by the geome-
try of the cover and nozzles. It is, therefore, advisable to compare the geometrically similar
nozzle covers used in SRM with different structural designs. Thus, the flow near the four-
nozzle cover with a symmetrical arrangement of nozzles is determined namely by the cover
geometry and is characterized by the presence of a central nodal point (at the intersection of
the symmetry axes of the bottom) and four spreading lines located between the nozzles.
The influence of the charge shape on the flow in the pre-nozzle volume causes the occurrence
of local flow features characteristic of the charge geometry in the periphery of the nozzle
bottom.

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B.Ya. Benderskiy and A.A. Chernova

It is possible to use two approaches to estimate heat fluxes. The first, considering
the flow near the cover as a jet one, offers to approximately determine (based on the de-
pendences obtained in the monograph [17]) the viscous stresses near the bottom on the known
velocity profiles with further transition through the Reynolds analogy to Stanton and Nus-
selt numbers. The second approach requires knowledge of the topological characteristics of
the same flows and application of criterial (empirical and semiempirical) equations to the eva-
luation of heat fluxes at specific points and lines. It is also interesting and useful to compare
the results and limitations of both approaches.

Assessing heat transfer within the interaction of the jet with the obstacle:
heat transfer on the surface of multi-nozzle cover
and submerged nozzle block
To estimate heat fluxes near the four-nozzle cover using the jet approach, it is necessary
to construct velocity profiles near the nozzle bottom. It should be noted that the gas flow in
the pre-nozzle volume of a multi-nozzle engine, as shown in [18], has an explicit three-di-
mensional character, resulting in a significant complication of the velocity profile. Figure 2a
shows the velocity profile near the rear bottom of the four-nozzle engine with a channel-slot
charge. As can be seen from the figure, the velocity near the nozzle cover in the central part of
the flow (x ≤ 0.44R, h1 = 0.01 m,h = h/dk = 0.32) virtually does not change that is the gas
impingement on the central region of the nozzle cover can be considered as an impingement of
a jet with a constant velocity profile on the barrier. According to [17], the local shear stress on
the wall near the central nodal point can be described by the formula

=τ w 1.23259((π / 2)U ∗ / y )∗3/ 2 y∗2 x/(Re ⋅ xU ∗ ν∗ ).

Fig. 2. Transformation of flow velocity profiles near the nozzle bottom.

a  on the nozzle cross section, b  in cross section between the slots (on the large angle),
c  on the slots not coinciding with nozzles, d  in cross section between the slots
(on a small angle).

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Table 1
Shear stress
* *
U /U max
τw /(τw ) [17] τw /( τw )max
0.33 0.02138 0.000892
0.66 0.2419 0.00178
1 1 0.00282

However, the results of the numerical expe-

riment show that its application leads to a sig- Fig. 3. Dependences of Stanton number
on the drag coefficient.
nificant overestimation (Table 1) of values
1  computational experiment,
of the local shear stress on the surface of 2  Reynolds analogy.
the nozzle bottom. Thus, the assumption of
the jet nature of the flow impingement on
the nozzle bottom and the use of empirical relations determined by the velocity profile leads to
a significant overestimation of the shear stress values on the bottom. It should be noted that
the dimensionless drag coefficient C f = τ w /(1/ 2 ρV 2 ) is determined by the values of local
shear stresses that is the values of this coefficient will also be overestimated.
On the basis of the analysis of obtained data for the considered flow in the pre-nozzle
volume of a multi-nozzle engine with a channel-slot charge it may be concluded that the de-
pendence of Stanton number and drag coefficient has the form of St = 0.475⋅Cf + 0.0065, close
to Reynolds analogy, but results in some differences between the obtained values of Stanton
number at small values of the drag coefficient (Fig. 3).
It should be noted that owing to the smallness ofh (the distance from the charge end to
the center of the nozzle bottom) the use of experimental ratios from [19] obtained for the sym-
metric jet impingement onto an obstacle is not possible.
Let us consider the features of gas-dynamic processes in the pre-nozzle volume of SRM
with a submerged nozzle. Transformation of velocity profiles of the flow from the central
channel of the star-type near the surface of the submerged nozzle is shown in Fig. 4. The figure
shows that the velocity profile near the surface of the submerged nozzle is significantly non-
uniform and, therefore, the interaction of this flow with the surface of the submerged nozzle is
three-dimensional, has no free boundaries and does not have a jet character.

Fig. 4. Transformation of the flow velocity profile near the submerged nozzle.
a – in the section over the “star” rays, and b – in cross section between the rays.

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Topological approach: heat transfer at special points and lines

on the surface of the multi-nozzle cover and submerged nozzle block
Let us consider the features of heat exchange in the area of four-nozzle cover of SRM
with channel-slot charge. The work [16] shows the formation of a paired vortex structure in
the inter-nozzle space near the nozzle cover, which leads to heat exchange intensification
(Fig. 5). The figure shows that the heat flux reaches maximum values at the periphery of
the cover, between the nozzles in the saddle points, while the nodal point is characterized by
a slight increase in the heat flux. To estimate heat fluxes at the central nodal point in a general
case, not taking into account the influence of the Kg coefficient, the following criterial ratio has
been obtained:
Nu = 0.18 ⋅ Re0.57 ⋅ Pr 0.4 .
The formation of a paired vortex structure in the inter-nozzle space and near the nozzle
cover, when the ratio of flow rates changes, leads to the intensification of heat exchange
processes. The criterial equation taking into account the Kg coefficient for the central nodal
point will be written as follows:

Nu = 0.17 ⋅ Re0.56 ⋅ Pr 0.4 ⋅ K g0.45 .

The processes of heat transfer near the nozzle bottom of a multi-nozzle SRM with end
charge are identical to the above described processes specific for a multi-nozzle SRM with
channel-slot charge (Fig. 6). As can be seen from the figure, the maximum value of the heat
flux density, regardless of the PV length, falls on the central nodal point, the stagnation point.
Processing the results of computational experiments has resulted in the following criterial
equation for determining the Nusselt number at the central nodal point of the four-nozzle
bottom of SRM with a charge of end combustion:

Nu = 4.5 ⋅ Re0.5 ⋅ Pr 0.33 .

Let us consider the features of heat exchange near the submerged rotary nozzle. The flow
of combustion products near the inlet surface of the submerged nozzle is determined by
the interaction of gas flows coming from the supra-nozzle (located above the surface of
the nozzle) gap and from the main charge. In the works [7, 16], it was shown that with
the predominance of the channel flow (Kg < 1), the structure of the limit flow lines on the inlet
surface of the nozzle is characterized by the presence of six stagnation points corresponding

Fig. 5. The flow near the four-nozzle cover.

a  limit streamlines, b  heat flux distribution.

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Fig. 6. Distribution of heat flux density and limiting streamlines

on the nozzle bottom surface.
L = 0.25d (а), 0.3d (b), and 0.5d (c).

Fig. 7. Heat flux distribution over the surface

of the submerged nozzle.

to the position of the “star” rays, and six saddle points,

which indicates the presence of vortex structures at the inlet
surface of the nozzle. Each of the listed topological features
of the flow near the submerged nozzle leads to the in-
tensification of heat exchange processes (Fig. 7). Pro-
cessing of results of the numerical experiment has given
the following criterion dependences for determining
the Nusselt number at singular points on an input surface of
the nozzle:
0.864 0.12 5 5
Nu = 1.31Re ⋅Pr at 3⋅10 ≤ Re ≤ 4.8⋅10 and 0.1 ≤ Kg ≤ 1.
To verify the obtained relations, the experiment [7] on the study of heat exchange on the inlet
surface of submerged nozzle of SRM with a central charge of the “star” type has been numeri-
cally reproduced, and its results are given in Table 2.

Conclusion
It has been shown that the application of the known criterion relations does not allow
correctly estimating the value of heat fluxes in the vicinity of heat-stressed surfaces. The use of
Kraussold equation leads to an underestimation of the Nusselt numbers no less than by 12 %.
The use of Eckert equation leads to significant overestimation of the values of heat fluxes and
to an underestimation of those for a charge of “star” type. Such differences are associated with
a complex three-dimensional structure of the flow near the areas under consideration.

Table 2
Verifying the obtained dependences

Parameter Nu [7] /Nuexp Nu [6] /Nuexp Nu [5] /Nuexp Nu (calc) /Nuexp

Criterial 0.5 0.4 0.8 0.33 0.8 0.4 0.864 0.12

Nu = 1.63⋅ Re β ⋅ Pr Nu = 0.36⋅ Re x ⋅ Pr Nu = 0.023⋅ Re x ⋅ Pr Nu = 1.31⋅ Re ⋅ Pr
dependence
Nu 1 0.1367 0.008525 1.01

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