Optimisation and validation of numerical tools for propulsion systems and methane combustion
NOVASIM
Numerical simulation of the combustion of methane and liquid oxygen, shown as a gray isosurface. The contours colored according to temperature show the vortex structures created by mixing and combustion
The increasing number of rocket launches and small payloads requires the development of flexible launch systems. At the same time assessing the impact on the launch environment and the atmosphere is becoming even more important. Therefore, the current focus is in the use of environmentally friendly fuels - particularly methane - as well as on reusable space transportation systems.
In the DLR project NOVASIM, the scientists are developing and optimising numerical tools to efficiently design, operate and evaluate space transportation systems. A particular emphasis is placed on the virtual representation of complex engines, which are being improved and validated within the project.
In NOVASIM, researchers integrate established models for the mixing and combustion of cryogenic fuels into the flow solver CODA/HyperCODA and incorporate it into the process chain for simulating coupled, multi-physical systems. They specifically apply the developed numerical tools to typical and critical operating points of the LUMEN demonstrator engine in order to analyze them and evaluate the methods.
Beyond system analysis, the team is also investigating flame anchoring - a particularly critical for methane engines. To support shorter design cycles numerically, the researchers are developing reliable numerical substitute models. Based on experimental data and their extensive experience in flow characterisation, they create models to examine heat transport in the cooling channel as well as the complex chemistry of methane combustion and validate their applicability.
In addition to numerical methods, expertise, and the necessary HPC resources for their application, high-quality data from DLR’s extensively instrumented configurations –such as the combustor-N and the LUMEN engine - are available. The work in the NOVASIM project promotes the exchange between experimental and numerical work.
Project
NOVASIM - Numerical Tool Optimisation and Verification for the Analysis of Propulsion Systems and Investigation of Methane Combustion
Term
1/2025 - 12/2028
Partners
DLR Institute of Aerodynamics and Flow Technology (Lead)
