Rocket Propulsion

NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANISATION
RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY ORGANISATION
AC/323(AVT-096)TP/70
www.rta.nato.int
RTO EDUCATIONAL NOTES EN-023
AVT-096
Internal Aerodynamics in Solid Rocket Propulsion

(Larodynamique interne de la propulsion par moteurs-fuses propergols solides)
The material in this publication was assembled to support a RTO/VKI Special Course under the sponsorship of the Applied Vehicle Technology Panel (AVT) and the von Krmn Institute for Fluid Dynamics (VKI) presented on 27-31 May 2002 in Rhode-Saint-Gense, Belgium.
Published January 2004
Distribution and Availability on Back Cover
AC/323(AVT-096)TP/70
www.rta.nato.int
RTO EDUCATIONAL NOTES EN-023
AVT-096

(Larodynamique interne de la propulsion par moteurs-fuses propergols solides)
The material in this publication was assembled to support a RTO/VKI Special Course under the sponsorship of the Applied Vehicle Technology Panel (AVT) and the von Krmn Institute for Fluid Dynamics (VKI) presented on 27-31 May 2002 in Rhode-Saint-Gense, Belgium.
The Research and Technology Organisation (RTO) of NATO

RTO is the single focus in NATO for Defence Research and Technology activities. Its mission is to conduct and promote co-operative research and information exchange. The objective is to support the development and effective use of national defence research and technology and to meet the military needs of the Alliance, to maintain a technological lead, and to provide advice to NATO and national decision makers. The RTO performs its mission with the support of an extensive network of national experts. It also ensures effective co-ordination with other NATO bodies involved in R&T activities. RTO reports both to the Military Committee of NATO and to the Conference of National Armament Directors. It comprises a Research and Technology Board (RTB) as the highest level of national representation and the Research and Technology Agency (RTA), a dedicated staff with its headquarters in Neuilly, near Paris, France. In order to facilitate contacts with the military users and other NATO activities, a small part of the RTA staff is located in NATO Headquarters in Brussels. The Brussels staff also co-ordinates RTOs co-operation with nations in Middle and Eastern Europe, to which RTO attaches particular importance especially as working together in the field of research is one of the more promising areas of co-operation. The total spectrum of R&T activities is covered by the following 7 bodies:
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Published January 2004 Copyright RTO/NATO 2004 All Rights Reserved ISBN 92-837-1103-3 Single copies of this publication or of a part of it may be made for individual use only. The approval of the RTA Information Management Systems Branch is required for more than one copy to be made or an extract included in another publication. Requests to do so should be sent to the address on the back cover.
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RTO-EN-023

(RTO EN-023 / AVT-096)
Executive Summary
Considerations of the optimal approaches to adapt space launchers to a changing market should lead to significant breakthroughs in solid rocket propulsion technology, mainly in the areas of reduced costs and improved performance characteristics. The goal of this NATO Research and Technology Organization (RTO) sponsored lecture series was to provide a forum for the review of various scientific and industrial aspects of solid rocket propulsion and an assessment of recent advances with emphasis on internal aerodynamics. The present lecture notes are intended as a natural follow-up to the AGARD-LS-180 Combustion of Solid Propellants organized in 1991. These RTO-AVT / VKI Special Course notes provide the state of the art in internal aerodynamics in solid rocket propulsion, in a way accessible to attendees coming from both academic and industrial areas. Two families of solid motors can be identified: tactical rockets and large boosters for launch vehicles. The military rockets are subjected to combustion instabilities while vortex shedding drives the instabilities in the large boosters. After an overview of the motor internal flow dynamics, combustion of solid propellants and metal particulates were presented. Numerical modeling of internal flow aerodynamics, two-phase flow and flow/structural interactions were addressed, before focusing on the motor flow and combustion instabilities. The main objective of these course notes is therefore to allow an information transfer between well-known scientists, leaders in the solid propulsion field, and demanding industries and laboratories. For these reasons, this proceeding appeals not only to experts already working in the domain, but also to newcomers to the field.
RTO-EN-023
iii
Larodynamique interne de la propulsion par moteurs-fuses propergols solides

(RTO EN-023 / AVT-096)
Synthse
La considration des approches optimales de ladaptation des lanceurs spatiaux un march en pleine volution devrait conduire des progrs dcisifs dans le domaine des technologies de la propulsion par moteurs-fuses propergols solides, principalement du point de vue de la diminution des cots et de lamlioration des caractristiques de performance. Ce Cycle de conferences, organis par lOrganisation OTAN pour la recherche et la technologie (RTO) a eu pour objectif de servir de forum pour lexamen de diffrents aspects scientifiques et techniques de la propulsion par moteurs-fuses propergols solides, ainsi que pour lvaluation des derniers progrs raliss, en particulier en arodynamique interne. Lactuel support de cours reprsente la suite naturelle du cycle de confrences AGARD-LS-180 sur La combustion des propergols solides organis en 1991. Ce support de cours spcial RTO-AVT/VKI prsente ltat actuel des connaissances dans le domaine de larodynamique interne de la propulsion par moteurs-fuses propergols solides, de manire rendre le sujet accessible des participants venant aussi bien de lindustrie que des universits. Deux grandes familles de moteurs-fuses propergols solides sont distinguer : les fuses tactiques et les grandes fuses dappoint pour lanceurs. Les fuses militaires sont sujettes des instabilits de combustion, tandis que les instabilits des grandes fuses dappoint sont occasionnes par le dcollement des tourbillons. Suite un aperu de la dynamique des coulements internes des moteurs, la combustion des propergols solides et des particules mtalliques a t prsente. La modlisation numrique de larodynamique des coulements internes, ainsi que les interactions des coulements bi-phase et des coulements/structures ont t examines, avant de considrer les flux internes des moteurs et les instabilits de combustion. Ce support de cours a donc pour objectif de permettre un change dinformations entre des scientifiques renomms, minents dans le domaine de la propulsion par propergol solide, et les industries et les laboratoires qui s'intressent leur travail. Pour ces raisons, ces documents seront apprcis non seulement par les spcialistes du domaine, mais aussi par les nophytes.
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Table of Contents
Page Executive Summary Synthse List of Authors/Lecturers iii iv vi
Reference Introduction to Solid Rocket Propulsion by P. Kuentzmann Overview of Motor Internal Flow Dynamics by V. Yang Flow-Structural Interaction in Solid Rocket Motors by J.W. Murdock and W.A. Johnston Combustion of Solid Propellants by G. Lengell, J. Duterque and J.F. Trubert A Summary of Aluminum Combustion by M.W. Beckstead Part I Survey of Recent Al2O3 Droplet Size Data in Solid Rocket Chambers, Nozzles, and Plumes by M. Salita Motor Flow Instabilities Part 1 by F. Vuillot and G. Casalis Motor Flow Instabilities Part 2: Intrinsic Linear Stability of the Flow Induced by Wall Injection by G. Casalis and F. Vuillot Numerical Modeling of Internal Flow Aerodynamics Part 1: Steady State Computations by J-F. Gury Numerical Modeling of Internal Flow Aerodynamics Part 2: Unsteady Flows by J-F. Gury Combustion Instabilities in Solid Propellant Rocket Motors by F.E.C. Culick 1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8
9 10 11
Paper not available at the time of publishing.
RTO-EN-023
List of Authors/Lecturers
Special Course Directors
Assis. Prof. Jrme Anthoine Assistant Professor von Krmn Institute for Fluid Dynamics chausse de Waterloo 72 1640 Rhode-Saint-Gense BELGIUM email: anthoine@vki.ac.be Mr. Paul Kuentzmann ONERA/DSG BP 72 92322 Chatillon Cedex FRANCE email: ktz@onera.fr
Lecturers
Mr. Grgoire Casalis ONERA Toulouse BP 4025 2 avenue E. Belin BP 4025 31055 Toulouse Cedex FRANCE email: casalis@onecert.fr Dr. J-F. Gury SNPE BP 2 9171- Vert-le-Petit FRANCE email: j.guery@snpe.com Mr. Guy Lengell ONERA Energetics Centre de Palaiseau Chemin de la Thumire 91120 Palaiseau Cedex FRANCE email: lengelle@onera.fr Dr. F. Vuillot ONERA BP 72 93222 Chatillon Cedex FRANCE email: vuillo@onera.fr Prof. Merill Beckstead Brigham Young University Dept of Chemical Engineering Provo, UT 84062 USA email: mwb@byu.edu Prof. Fred E.C. Culick Caltech Mechanical Engineering and Jet Propulsion 1200 East California Blvd Pasadena, California 91125 USA email: fecfly@caltech.edu Dr. John W. Murdock The Aerospace Corporation Vehicle Performance Subdivision M4/964 PO Box 92957 Los Angeles, CA 90009-2957 USA email: john.w.murdoch@aero.org Mr. M. Salita TRW 875 S 2000 E Clearfield, UT 84414 USA email: mark.salita@trw.com Prof. Vigor Yang The Pennsylvania State University Department of Mechanical Engineering 104 Research Building East University Park, PA 16802 USA email: vigor@psu.edu
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Introduction to Solid Rocket Propulsion

P. Kuentzmann
Office National dEtudes et de Recherches Arospatiales 29, avenue de la Division Leclerc BP 72 92322 Chtillon Cedex FRANCE
SUMMARY
The objectives of this introduction are to present the fundamentals of solid rocket motor (SRM), starting from the elementary analysis of rocket operation and then justifying the need of sophisticated computation of the internal flow. After a brief reminder of solid rocket history, a description of its main components is proposed. The elementary parameters controlling the operation are introduced and the basic formula predicting the steady-state operation pressure is established. The main issues faced by a SRM require an accurate description of internal aerodynamics, either to predict the pressure/thrust programs and the normal transient phases like ignition, or to study the motor stability. A short overview of the evolution of the codes devoted to SRM internal aerodynamics during the last thirty years is given in order to introduce the more specialized presentations; a discussion of the main limitations concerning these codes is also proposed. The prospects offered by SRM internal aerodynamics codes are finally described.
1.0 GENERALITIES
1.1 History
The solid rocket motor belongs to the family of the rocket engine (thrust achieved by mass ejection) and its history can be considered both ancient and recent. It is possible to consider that the black powder is the precursor of modern solid propellants: composed of natural ingredients (sulfur, charcoal and salpetre), the black powder has been used from the 13th century in Asia to propelled darts, certainly the first unguided stand-off weapons. A lot of work has been performed since this time to improve the solid propellant and to master its combustion but the main military application has been gun propellants up to the WW2. The WW2 has seen the first aeronautical applications (BACHEM Natter, JATO, RATO). The main developments for military (missiles) and space activities (launchers) started in 1945. Regarding the space activities, the first flights were carried out by liquid propellant rockets, following the worlds first successfully flown rocket on March 15, 1926 (R. Goddard, USA). The first satellites have been put into orbit by a liquid propellant launcher (R7 Semiorka, October 1957); the first successful US launch (Jupiter C, January 1958) used solid propellant rockets for the upper stages. The small US Scout has been the first all solid propellant launcher. Most of the first intercontinental missiles or intermediate range missiles used also liquid propellant engines, for their first generations. The current situation is the following: Most of the modern strategic and tactical missiles use solid propellant propulsion. The only competitor for solid propulsion is ramjet propulsion for tactical missiles. Space launchers are in the western countries and in Japan based on an assembly of liquid and solid propelled stages; they remain all liquid propellant in Russia, Ukraine and China. This difference of design is clearly connected to economical considerations: development and
Paper presented at the RTO/VKI Special Course on Internal Aerodynamics in Solid Rocket Propulsion, held in Rhode-Saint-Gense, Belgium, 27-31 May 2002, and published in RTO-EN-023. RTO-EN-023 1-1
Introduction to Solid Rocket Propulsion recurrent costs of a large solid propellant booster are lower than those of a large liquid propellant booster in the western countries, agreed that performance is better for liquid propellant propulsion. The orientation towards RLVs (Reusable Launch Vehicles) will favor of course liquid propulsion in the future.
1.2

The Basic Solid Rocket Motor

A case containing the solid propellant and withstanding internal pressure when the rocket is operating. The solid propellant charge (or grain), which is usually bonded to the inner wall of the case, and occupies before ignition the greater part of its volume. When burning, the solid propellant is transformed into hot combustion products. The volume occupied by the combustion products is called combustion chamber. The nozzle channels the discharge of the combustion products and because of its shape accelerates them to supersonic velocity. The igniter, which can be a pyrotechnic device or a small rocket, starts the rocket operating when an electrical signal is received.
A solid propellant rocket is formed by four main components (fig. 1):
Figure 1: Basic Solid Rocket Motor.
One can consider that the solid propellant after manufacturing is in a metastable state. It can remain inert when stored (in appropriate conditions) or it can support after ignition its continuous transformation into hot combustion products (self-combustion). The velocity of the transformation front is called burning rate (fig. 2).
Figure 2: Solid Propellant Rocket Motor.
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Introduction to Solid Rocket Propulsion The solid rocket is therefore inherently simple and therefore can possess high intrinsic reliability. After ignition, a solid rocket motor normally operates in accordance with a preset thrust program until all the propellant is consumed. All the efforts should be directed to the accurate prediction of the thrust (and pressure) programs to get the benefit of solid rocket motor concept.
1.3
Definitions
Efficiency of a rocket if defined by specific impulse: I s = where: I s is the specific impulse (in s),
F & mg o
& m is the mass flow rate ejected by the rocket (in kg.s-1),
g o is the reference gravity (9,806 m.s-2).

This definition has been adopted because the second is a universal unit of measure. Specific impulse is used for all types of rocket (chemical, electric) and for ramjet/scramjet; specific impulse can be considered as the inverse of specific consumption. The higher is the specific impulse, the better is the rocket. It should also be observed that specific impulse depends on the operation conditions of the solid rocket motor: pressure in the combustion chamber, rate of expansion in the nozzle, ambiant pressure. The theoretical specific impulse, for a given propellant and a fixed pressure, can be predicted by thermochemical computation. All countries in the world are using similar codes and, in the western countries, the same thermodynamic tables (JANAF). To avoid all the problems related to unit systems, standard conditions are adopted and comparisons can be performed: Pressure: 70 atm (close to 1000 psia). Expansion: 70 to 1 atm. Ambiant pressure: 1 atm (nozzle adaptation).
Under these reference conditions, the theoretical specific impulse of a conventional composite propellant (ammonium perchlorate, polybutadiene, aluminum) is around 265 s. In practice, the actual specific impulse is lower, due to specific impulse losses related to phenomena which cannot be taken into account in the thermochemical computation (multidimensional flow, two-phase effects, wall phenomena). Specific impulse in vacuum is higher than I s at atmospheric pressure. Another characteristic parameter, essentially defined for a chemical rocket equipped with a chocked convergent-divergent (de Laval) nozzle, is the characteristic velocity:
C* =

po Ac ( m.s 1 ) & m
where po is the pressure in the combustion chamber (Pa ) ,
Ac is the nozzle throat area ( m 2 ) .
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Introduction to Solid Rocket Propulsion A simplified description of the flow in the nozzle (one-dimensional flow, ideal gas) gives a clear interpretation of C * :
C* =

R To M , ( )
where R is the universal gas constant (8,3144 J.mol-1.K-1),
M is the molecular weight of the gas (kg/mole),
To is the gas temperature (K),
is the isentropic exponent (Cp/Cv),

2 2 ( 1) ( ) is the Vandenkerkhoves function: ( ) = + 1
+1
C * characterizes obviously the combustion products and is totally independent of the expansion
conditions and on the external pressure; nozzle chocking plays the role of an insulator between the combustion chamber and the external surrounding. The third parameter, again defined for a chemical rocket and a chocked nozzle, is the thrust coefficient:
CF =
F (non-dimensional) po Ac
C F depends on the expansion rate and the external pressure. The simplified description of the nozzle flow
gives: C F = C F
( A)
+ C F :
is the thrust coefficient for nozzle adaptation,
where C F
( A)
C F is a correction of inadaptation.
It is possible to demonstrate that C F is limited when the expansion rate increases. A simple relationship between the different characteristic parameters can be written: I s =
C * .C F go
This relationship gives a clear interpretation of the respective contributions of combustion products and nozzle in the thrust production. Thermochemical computation gives C *, C F and I s by taking into account the actual thermodynamics of combustion products. For the conventional composite propellant previously mentioned:
C* 1550 m.s 1 C F 1,68 (adapted nozzle)
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1.4
A First Approach of Motor Operation
A first approach of motor operation can be established by using the elementary global conservation laws. The main necessary assumptions are the following: Steady-state operation, Very low Mach number (M<<1) of the combustion products in the combustion chamber (that means that ratio of nozzle entrance section area to throat area is very large), The combustion products are totally generated on the combustion surface.
In these conditions, only two conservation principles for mass and energy should be satisfied:
& & & mb = mT , where mb is the mass flow rate of combustion products entering the combustion & chamber and mT is the mass flow rate exhausted by the nozzle.
& & mb h p = mT h , where h p is the specific enthalpy of combustion products and h is the specific
enthalpy of the flow entering the nozzle.
Obviously h p = h and the stagnation temperature at nozzle entrance is the temperature of combustion
& & & products. Therefore it remains: mb = mT , where mb = p rb Ab ( p : propergol density, rb : burning rate,
& Ab : combustion area), mT = po Ac , following the definition of C * . C*
A very simple relationship exists, expressing the mass conservation, between the different parameters:
p rb Ab =
It is more appropriate to write:
po Ac C*
po A = b . p rb C * Ac
The right hand expression is related to the geometric parameters of the rocket motor:
KG =
Ab ( K for the german world Klemmung). Ac
The left hand expression depends on the propellant characteristics ( p , rb , C * ) and on the pressure ( po ). The (normal steady-state) burning rate is a function of pressure, for a given propellant:
K p ( po ) = K G
This equality between the parameters K p , function of po , for a given propellant, and K G , based on the rocket geometry, can be used in different ways: Determine Ac si Ab and po are chosen, Predict po si Ab , Ac are fixed
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Introduction to Solid Rocket Propulsion Finally, the first step of the design of a solid rocket propellant looks very simple. Unfortunately, is not sufficient to perform a complete motor design with the required high level of prediction and reliability, as explained later. However, the early solid propellant rocket motors have been developed on this basis.
1.5
Evolution of Parameters According to Time
A solid rocket motor has a variable internal geometry related to the continuous transformation of the solid propellant to combustion products. Change of the combustion area in time will result in change of pressure and thrust. A steady state view of operation can be adopted by considering different geometries separated by an increment of displacement of the combustion surface. An elementary analysis can justify this approach. One considers an elementary surface by assuming that the transformation of the solid propellant to combustion products occurs on the surface area and not in volume (fig. 3).
rb
solid propellant combustion products solid propellant combustion products
vG
rb
vG + rb
o'
x'
Figure 3: Injection Conditions on the Combustion Surface.
Mass conservation leads to:
G vG p rb
If
p = 1,78 g.cm 3 , rb = 8mm.s 1 , p = 70atm,

To = 3494 K , M = 28,46 g.mole 1 , one finds: VG 2m.s 1 >> rb M G 1 10 3
Two consequences result from this elementary analysis: Velocity of the combustion products leaving the combustion surface is at least two order of magnitude higher than the burning rate; a reasonable approximation is to assume that the products are entering the combustion chamber from a fixed surface. This approximation justifies all the experiments performed by cold gas simulation (injection of a cold gas through a porous wall). Description of the flow in the entire motor implies Mach number from very low values (near the combustion surface) to very high values (nozzle exit) and then use of adapted numerical methods.
Conservation of momentum has also another consequence: the combustion products are emitted perpendicularly towards the combustion surface.
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2.0 THE MAIN ISSUES OF SOLID PROPELLANT ROCKET MOTOR

Development of a solid rocket motor requires considerable technological investments in different domains. These investments are substantial given the severe conditions inside the motor: high pressure (around 5 MPa or 50 bar in the larger boosters), high temperature (around 3500 K for a composite metallized propellant), two phase flow (metallized propellant). The critical technologies concern the propellant itself, the propellant grain design, the thermal insulation, the nozzle design and the case. Besides, another well known difficulty is related to the near impossibility to perform detailed measurement inside the combustion chamber, due to the severe conditions prevailing there: the only usual measurement is the static pressure measurement through a pressure tube, generally at the motor front end. This difficulty can be considered as one of the main obstacles to the perfect validation of the prediction tools. As this Short Course is devoted to aerodynamics, attention will now be focused on the particular aspects of design having an influence on aerodynamics and operation.
2.1
Burning Rate
Propellant burning rate plays a central role in motor operation. That is why perfect control of burning rate is absolutely mandatory. Fundamentals and recent developments regarding burning rate will be developed in another lecture. The discussion will here be limited to a classification of the different combustion regimes encountered during the whole motor operation. 2.1.1 Steady State Regimes
Normal (regular) regime: burning rate is depending on only two parameters: pressure and initial temperature: rb = rb ( po ; Ti ) . It is known that burning rate can change with the propellant temperature. Since only a very thin layer of the propellant is usually affected by the chemical transformation during the combustion process, a good assumption is that the initial grain temperature (considered as uniform) is an external parameter, without variation during operation. Sensitivity to pressure is related to the chemical reactions in gaseous phase (flames) above the combustion surface. Some parameters are defined to characterize locally the propellant sensitivity to pressure and temperature:
ln rb n= ln p o
= n( p o ; Ti ) Ti
1 b p = T = p ( p o ; Ti ), ( K ) i p
o
ln r
It should be mentioned that the pressure exponent n should be lower than 1 for a practical propellant; if not, the steady-state operation pressure is not stable; n 0.3 for the more conventional composite propellants. Erosive burning regime: if the flow above the combustion surface is fast, it is possible to observe an increase in the burning rate for a given pressure (and, less frequently, a decrease in the burning rate for some double base propellants). A general accepted explanation of such an increase is linked to the enhancement of the convective thermal flux to the combustion surface due to the interaction between flow turbulence and flames. In this condition, burning rate is no longer pure feature of the propellant but a property mixing propellant and flow. Erosive burning can be responsible of a pressure overshoot at ignition. A simplified prediction can be obtained by characterizing the flow by the unit mass flow rate in the perforation (internal burning tube); erosive burning is then a threshold phenomenon.
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Introduction to Solid Rocket Propulsion 2.1.2 Unsteady Regimes
When pressure or more generally the conditions above the combustion surface are changing very rapidly, direct dependence of burning rate on instantaneous parameters is no longer right; time is also involved. Several situations bring into play unsteady burning rate, essentially the transient phases (ignition and operation end) and the instability. The common approach is to make the distinction between linear burning rate and non-linear burning rate. Linear burning rate corresponds to small perturbations of all the parameters around a steady state and it is typically the case for the low level instability. Response to the propellant burning rate to pressure (pressure coupling) has been proved (measured and explained); the response can be considered like a transfer function between pressure and burning rate:
~ /r r RMP = ~b b po / po
where, for instance, p is the steady state pressure and ~ the amplitude of oscillation. p
RMP is a complex parameter, function of the oscillation frequency. A temperature response RTP can be derived from RP . At relatively low frequency, the pressure response is only linked to the thermal transfer in the solid propellant. RP plays an essential role in the combustion instabilities.
A response of the propellant burning to flow (velocity coupling) has been suspected but never really proved and measured. Non-linear burning rate occurs either during ignition or during high level instabilities. If some analytical or computational tools are able to predict non linear burning rate, their validation by experiments is still very poor. The figure 4 summarizes the occurrence of the different burning rate regimes.
Figure 4: The Different Operation Regimes.
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2.2
Grain Design
To achieve a better motor performance, an obvious objective is to integrate the maximum of propellant in a given case volume. The volumetric loading fraction can exceed 0.92 for a launcher upper stage. The thrust program should also be adapted to the motor mission: for the first stage of a space launcher, the thrust should be high at take-off then be reduced during the transonic flight and then can increase again; in the case of two large boosters attached to a central core (Titan 4, Ariane 5 for instance), attention should also be given to the synchronization of both thrust decreases before total extinguishment of the boosters. So a compromise should be found between different requirements. Art of the designer is to find the grain geometry leading to the better global performance, by satisfying a number of constraints at the same time. Increasing the volumetric loading fraction leads to decrease the central bore and the area ratio at nozzle entrance, then with the direct consequence to increase the Mach number flow in the combustion chamber. This increase can produce erosive burning at the end of perforation and more generally generates differences of static pressure between the motor front end and the motor aft end; as the mechanical properties of a propellant are limited, particular care should be devoted to mechanical grain design to avoid any unexpected crack or dangerous grain deformation. Another consequence, more directly connected to aerodynamics, is that the simplified approach ( 2.4) is not yet valid or accurate enough. Therefore refinement of flow description inside the combustion chamber is required.
3.0 IMPORTANCE AND NECESSITY OF SOPHISTICATED AERODYNAMIC PREDICTION

There are two main domains which need the development of the knowledge in internal aerodynamics: the steady-state operation and the transient unsteady regimes.
3.1
Steady-State Operation
Modern SRM design is characterized by a tridimensional geometry, generally associating axisymmetric and star-shaped patterns (for instance, finocyl grain). Grain grooves (French asymmetrical machined grains) or intersegments (segmented grains) generate noticeable pressure variation which cannot be predicted by too crude computation. Another trend is to use composite (filament winding) case, more deformable than a metallic one; the case deformation and the grain deformation should be taken into account in this situation and it is particularly important for the first phase of operation following ignition. So a natural trend is to couple the internal aerodynamics and the case/grain deformation, by taking into account the visco-elastic feature of the grain. Finally it appears that numerical computation can only provide an accurate prediction of the pressure field inside the combustion chamber, especially in the first part of the operation. Currently, but with the exception of the CSAR program, prediction of steady operation is made by a set of computations at different fixed geometries, which are computed by another code. The principle is the following (fig. 5): Aerodynamics at t : aerodynamic computation for a known geometry giving the pressure field on the combustion surface and then the field of burning rate on the combustion surface. Geometry at t + t : geometrical computation of the new geometry by using the field of burning rate on the combustion surface at t . Aerodynamics at t + t : new aerodynamic computation...
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Figure 5: Grain Geometry Evolution.
A totally coupled computation of aerodynamics and geometry evolution requires use of variable meshes in the combustion chamber and in the grain and is very expensive in terms of computation time. In the classical approach previously mentioned, where accuracy is, a priori, of first order, t can be chosen to maintain the computation time in a reasonable range. It should be also mentioned that the modern codes do not distinguish the flow zones at low velocity and the flow zones at high velocity. The whole flow from the combustion surface to the nozzle exit is described and computed with the same compressible equations and the same numerical methods. This way of computing avoids difficult and unsolved issues of matching between domains (combustion chamber, nozzle).
3.2
Unsteady Regimes
The main issues are connected to the ignition phase and to the prediction of the stability (or of the instability level). If certain characteristic times can be predicted by simple analytical calculations, using an unsteady variant of the global conservation laws, this type of approach is totally insufficient for a total mastery of the ignition phase. In fact, transient ignition phase should be described by taking into account a lot of phenomena: igniter operation, thermal convective and radiative transfer from the igniter combustion products to the inert grain combustion surface, propellant surface temperature increasing and propellant ignition, unsteady propellant combustion, flame propagation. In detail and for realistic igniter, grain and propellants, the complete problem is rather difficult to solve because of the propagation of various waves inside the motor, the difficulty to predict accurately the thermal transfer for igniter two phase combustion products and in the recirculation zones, and of the unsteady combustion. However some modern validated codes (unsteady two phase flow), are able to solve the problem. More difficult is the prediction of stability or level instability. Instability is a natural phenomenon observed for a long time on all the engines, from the pressure recording: instead of being stable (with a little random component due to the noise), pressure exhibits an oscillation well organized around a frequency, or possibly around several frequencies to form a non-harmonic unsteady signal. That is the appearance of an instability. This phenomenon, called combustion instability or operation instability, is rather frequent and a lot of solid rocket motors are flying with a low level of instability during certain phases of their operation; but an instability can become very dangerous if its level increases: in this case the mean burning rate tends to be erratic, the pressure uncontrolled and the thermal insulation consumption drastically augmented. Different classes of instability have been determined fifty years ago. The simplest one to understand is the volume instability or L * instability; it is clearly a combustion instability, i.e. that the propellant pressure coupling is needed to drive the instability. The L * instability occurs generally at low pressure and low frequency and is not dangerous. The most critical and scientifically interesting instabilities are acoustic:
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Introduction to Solid Rocket Propulsion that means that the unsteady pressure distribution inside the combustion has a certain relationship with the unsteady pressure distribution corresponding to a pure acoustic mode in the cavity which is defined by the combustion surface and a closure in the nozzle entrance plan. This type of instability is known as a combustion instability because propellant pressure response is conditioning stability in the classical analytical approach (acoustic balance). It is not the case in reality for the first longitudinal modes in the larger booster, the propellant pressure response seeming not to be the primary driving phenomenon; the term of operation instability is then, maybe, more appropriate. Stability should be assessed at each operation time, that is to say for different grain geometries (fig. 5). Prediction of steady-state operation and unsteady regimes clearly requires a detailed description of the flow inside the combustion chamber. Evolution of the computation method (and of the computer capacities) has allowed a substantial progress during the last thirty years, even if this evolution does not yet solve all the problems.
4.0 APPROACH OF INTERNAL AERODYNAMICS IN SOLID ROCKET PROPULSION BY COMPUTATION

Approach of steady state operation by using the global conservation laws is under the dependency of different assumptions and finds rapidly its limits, either because of the difficulty to find explicit analytical solutions (case of ignition for instance) or because of the physics which needs a more local and refined flow description. Concerning this second point, an academic example can be mentioned, the one concerning the nozzleless motor (fig. 6). For a sufficient length to perforation diameter ratio and a rather high propellant burning rate, flow inside the perforation is naturally chocked; the explanation is the formation of a multiple fluid nozzles in the flow due to the lateral injection.
Figure 6: The Nozzleless SRM.
By using some simplifications (constant burning rate and constant diameter along the combustion surface, ideal gas), it is possible to determine the pressure at the front end (here po ) and the distribution of
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Introduction to Solid Rocket Propulsion pressure and Mach number (1D description) in the perforation. It has been demonstrated that po can be calculated by the relation:
po 2 1 2 L = 2 + 1 p rb ( po )C * R
or, under another form:
2 K p ( po ) = 2 + 1
KG ,
where K G is the ratio of the combustion area to the passage area Ap . The relation obtained is very similar to those previously given for a conventional motor with a large nozzle entrance ratio, except for the factor
1
2( 2 /( + 1)) 1 . This difference is the direct consequence of the organization of the flow, the Mach
number of which being 1 at the end of the cylindrical perforation. This example proves that aerodynamics can be essential for pressure prediction. There is total continuity between the conventional rocket operation and the nozzleless motor operation; it is possible to propose a generalization of the relation between K p ( po ) and K G (always with some simplifications): K p ( po ) = kK G , where k can be calculated as the solution of a transcendental equation: k ( K 2 , ) where: K 2 = Ap / Ac
k 1 if K 2
k = 2( 2 /( + 1)) 1 /( 1) if K 2 = 1
Real computation of the steady flow began at the beginning of the 70s for a one dimensional flow description, it was extended to a 2D flow description in the 80s, then to a 3D flow description in the 90s. The first computation codes have described the combustion products as an ideal gas (one-phase aerodynamics); extensions have been made but not always integrated in the code to take into account the actual thermodynamics (thermodynamic equilibrium or frozen composition) and to the two-phase flow aspects (combustion of aluminium droplets, alumina droplets). Use of the most advanced codes is still facing three main difficulties: Long computation time. Lack of accuracy of certain input data, especially for the condensed phases. Uncertainties on some phenomena: flow turbulence, interactions between droplets for instance.
Concerning the transient phenomena (ignition phase), some derivatives have been made from the previous codes without too many difficulties for the flow phenomena. The main issues have been rather connected to the heat transfer and the propagation of the flame on the combustion surface. However, some validations have been made by using a special small scale model with a dedicated instrumentation and the results are rather promising. Besides, the physical time to simulate is rather small and computation time affordable. Coupling between aerodynamics and grain/case deformation should be improved. Prediction of the level of instability requires in essence a non-linear approach. Extension of the acoustic balance and coupling of modes, by the averaging method, constitutes a first possibility and presents the advantage of a clear physical understanding. In parallel, a numerical approach can be used and certain improvements have been made for the past ten years; some of them will be presented in lectures by F. Vuillot, G. Casalis and J.F. Guery. Without claiming to be the ideal solution, computation allows a
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Introduction to Solid Rocket Propulsion certain level of prediction in certain situations. The most current computations are two-dimensional, when that is allowed by the grain geometry, even if there is no intrinsic difficulty for 3D computations, but only some problems of computation time. The main difficulties to face for instability level prediction are the same as those mentioned for the steadystate computation: lack of accuracy of certain input data (condensed phases), uncertainties regarding the description of fundamental phenomena (flow turbulence, interaction between droplets) but physics is here more complicated since unsteady. In fact, the situation can be summarized as follows: Rather good level of prediction at low scale for a non metallized propellant and sometimes simplified geometries, when the unsteady phenomena driving phenomena are well identified. Relative uncertainties at large scale, for a metallized propellant and complicated geometries; large sensitivity to input data.
5.0 PHYSICAL OBSTACLES

If computation is more and more used by industry, some physical obstacles remain to be overcome, in order to achieve a better prediction on actual motors and for all the regimes. Unsteady flow description can be considered today as the general needed approach, the steady state operation being viewed as the limit of an unsteady operation. The numerical methods should be adapted to correctly deal with the propagation of the different waves (acoustic, entropic, vorticity). In some specific situations, it has been proved that vortex shedding plays a central role in combustion instability but in other situations, it appears that other phenomena will prevail. Instability of tactical motors, especially for tangential modes, certainly gives more importance to pressure coupling and acoustic streaming. The basic phenomena, whose description should be greatly improved, can be classified in three categories: Flow phenomena: turbulence in one-phase flow and two-phase flow. Turbulence generated by combustion is very poorly known. Two-phase phenomena are suspected to have an influence in some conditions (distributed aluminium combustion, wave damping by alumina droplets) but the data remains uncertain. Propellant combustion: unsteady combustion of the propellant remains a challenge, especially for a metallized propellant; for this type of propellant, it is not clear, for instance, if the usual definition of the linear response is totally valid. Fluid-structure coupling: structure is understood here as the assembly of all the solid parts of the motor: restrictors, grain, case, nozzle. Participation of restrictor vibration has been suspected for instability driving in some large segmented SRMs. But the problem is more general and invites to couple aerodynamics and solid mechanics.
The well known difficulty to improve the knowledge of this different phenomena is linked to the nearly impossibility to carry out detailed measurements inside an actual motor, even at a low scale and for a non-metallized propellant. The phenomena should be isolated and studied on skilled set-ups, for which the main issue remains to be their representativity.
6.0 PROSPECTS
This introduction has attempted to throw a bridge between the apparent simplicity of the rocket motors and the difficulty to perfectly master its operation; internal aerodynamics forms the pile of this bridge and cannot be bypassed.
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Introduction to Solid Rocket Propulsion Development of a large SRM needs a very large investment. For instance, development of the Ariane 5 has required around 2 billion (including the propellant factory and the test bench in Kourou). Each ground test costs around 20 million. Cost reduction is presently a leitmotiv for the civil and military industry. A general trend is therefore to develop reliable tools to reduce the number of tests during development and qualification. Tools are also needed to explain abnormal operation. Since 1990, some important national programs have been initiated and have produced new results: In France, the ASSM program, with the sponsorship of CNES, under the scientific responsibility of ONERA and with the participation of several CNRS and universities laboratories (and of the VKI), for the Ariane 5 MPS P230 (SRM). Mainly focused on instability level prediction, this program allowed to develop numerical tools, to improve the flow description and to measure the limits of the available knowledge. A new program is currently being prepared between France and Italy (SPADA program). In the USA, among the different known programs, the MURI program and the CSAR program. This last one, funded by the DoE is focusing on very high level computation, is more ambitious and more general than the programme ASSM and has started producing some initial encouraging results.
It is still a long way to solve all the issues regarding SRM aerodynamics. According to the authors opinion, a good balance should be maintained between computational improvement and improvement of the knowledge regarding the basic phenomena. This short course provides a unique opportunity to bring together the specialists deeply involved in Europe and in the USA in SRM aerodynamics. All the important aspects of aerodynamics and SRM operation mentioned in this introduction are covered and will give to the attendees an updated state of the art.
7.0 SELECTED REFERENCES

Fundamentals
[1] [2] [3] The Pocket Rocket Reader, J.M. Vogel, United Technologies/Chemical Systems, 1980. Fundamental Aspects of Solid Propellant Rockets, AGARDograph 116, Oct. 1969. Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics, Vol. 90, AIAA, 1984 (Experimental Observations of Combustion Instability, E.W. Price, Ch. 13).
Instabilities
[4] [5] [6] [7] [8] Publications of Pr. F.E.C. Culick. Publications of Pr. V. Yang. Combustion Instability in Solid Propellant Rocket Motors, J. Swithenbank, Report n HIC 100, University of Sheffield, Oct. 1969. Combustion Instability in Solid Propellant Rockets, E.W. Price, G.A. Flandro, AFOSR TR 89-0460, March 21, 1989. Combustion Instabilities, AGARD LS n 180, Sept. 1991.
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Introduction to Solid Rocket Propulsion [9] Solid Rocket Motor Combustion Instability Workshop, AIAA/SAE/ASME/ASEE, 31st Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit, San Diego, CA, July 12, 1995.
ASSM/POP Program
[10] Fonctionnement des moteurs propergol solide segments pour lanceurs spatiaux, Colloque CNES/ONERA, Chtillon, FR, Dec. 8-9, 1992. [11] Fonctionnement des moteurs propergol solide segments pour lanceurs spatiaux, Journes R et T CNES, Paris, FR, June 26-28, 1995. [12] Colloque coulements propulsifs dans les systmes de transport spatial, Bordeaux, FR, Sept. 11-15, 1995 (Some Basic Problems and Control of Combustion Instabilities, F.E.C. Culick). [13] Ecoulements internes en propulsion solide, 3me Colloque R et T CNES, Poitiers, FR, March 25-27, 1998. [14] Runion de synthse ASSM-POP, CNES Evry, FR, March 21, 2001.
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Flow-Structural Interaction in Solid Rocket Motors

John W. Murdock and William A. Johnston
Distinguished Engineer and Senior Project Engineer The Aerospace Corporation P. O. Box 92957 M4-964 Los Angeles, CA 90009-2957 USA
SUMMARY
This article reviews and summarizes recent work on flow-structural interaction in solid motors. This interaction is important because it can lead to rocket motor failure. In the first part of the document, an idealized model of the failure mechanism is developed to illustrate in simple terms how such an event can occur. In the second part of this article recently published numerical modeling work, which models flowstructural interactions in some detail, is summarized. The static test failure of the Titan solid rocket motor upgrade (SRMU) that occurred on 1 April 1991 demonstrated the importance of flow-structural modeling in the design of large solid rocket motors.
INTRODUCTION
The first discussion, known to us, of the possibility that an interaction between the propellant grain and the motor flow field could cause motor failure is in Wimpress (1950). He shows various curves with a critical value of the elastic modulus, E, below which, there is no finite equilibrium pressureand the motor blows up. Bartley and Mills (1959) also discuss grain instability in tubular, internal solid motors. Their model also shows that for the grain geometry considered, there is a critical propellant modulus, below which the motor fails. Glick, Cavney, and Thurman (1967) modeled a bore constriction failure of the Castor II motor that occurred at a propellant slot. They point out that the stability of the propellant can be significantly enhanced if the propellant downstream of the slot has a radius. They state that H. W. Ritchey first suggested the use of such a radius and they term it a Ritchey radius. There was a flurry of activity in the area of flow-structural interaction subsequent to the Titan SRMU test failure. The initial efforts were aimed at understanding the failure and analyzing the new Titan design to make sure the problem was fixed (Johnston and Murdock [1995], Chang, Patel, and Yang [1994], Cosstephens [1995], Johnson and Lauterbach [1992]). This work was followed by analyses of other existing or new motors, to make sure that they were designed with an adequate safety margin (Johnston [1996], Wang, Yang, Than, and Ndefo [1994]). This work is reviewed in some detail in the latter part of this document. An important goal of this article is to assure that the possibility of flow-structural interaction leading to a motor failure is not forgotten or overlooked as it seems to have been in the period between 1967 and 1991.
A SIMPLE PHYSICAL MODEL OF GRAIN INSTABILITY

We are interested in the interaction of the propellant grain and the motor flow that can produce a catastrophic motor failure. How can such a thing occur? Examination of known failures shows that they have been initiated by events occurring either at transverse slots in the grain or at the location of joints of multi-segment motors. The flow past one such slot is shown in Fig. 1. The flow impinges on the upstream-facing propellant and raises the pressure on that face. The flow also expands around the corner of the grain and reduces the pressure on the interior of the bore. The combination of these two forces causes the flow area to constrict, as shown in Fig. 1. If the elastic modulus of the propellant grain is too low or the local bore flow rate is too high, then unconstrained deflection of the grain can occur. This will fracture the propellant grain and/or block the motor bore. Either of these events will be catastrophic for the motor.
MOTOR CASE
PROPELLANT GRAIN
Figure 1: Schematic of Failure Mechanism.
In order to give a simple physical picture of the flow-structural instability that can lead to grain and motor failure, a very simple, analytical model is constructed to illustrate how such a failure occurs. With this in mind, the emphasis will be on simplicity rather than fidelity with the real physical situation. In accord with this approach, we model the flow through the constriction in Fig. 1 as a choked, perfect gas flow. This gives the simple expression
W = KPA
3-2
(1)
RTO-EN-023
Flow-Structural Interaction in Solid Rocket Motors where W is the mass flow rate past the bore constriction, P is the stagnation pressure upstream of the constriction, A is the area of the bore constriction, and K is a constant that is easily obtained from gasdynamic theory. [See, for example, Shapiro (1953).] We note here that a well-designed motor bore would never have locally sonic flow, so that eq. (1) is an approximation. The main justification for its use is the simplicity; eq. (1) could be replaced with the orifice equation for subsonic-flow, but the subsequent analytical solutions would have to be replaced with less obvious numerical solutions. Also, observe that if a boreconstriction failure does occur, the flow is likely to choke during that process. It is convenient to use a dimensionless version of eq. (1) and normalize the mass flow rate and pressure with their nominal values that would be obtained with an undeformed grain area A0 .
w= p=
W W0 P P0
(2)
(3)
a=
With this normalization, eq. (1) becomes
A A0
(4)
w = pa
and the constant in eq. (1) is related to the normalization constants by
(5)
K=
W0 P0 A0
(6)
The second half of the model relates the bore area to the pressure. In keeping with maximum simplicity, a linear relation between the area and pressure is used. (Letting the bore radius decrease linearly with pressure results in a somewhat more complicated mathematical model with some improvements to the physical model. Predictions made with both models are compared with Titan SRMU data in the following section.)
A = A0 CP
(7)
In eq. (7), C is a constant of proportionality that varies as the reciprocal of the elastic modulus of the propellant. Putting eq. (7) in dimensionless form, gives the result
CP a =1 0 A 0
p = 1 cp
(8)
where the dimensionless version of the constant C is implicitly defined by eq. (8).
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Flow-Structural Interaction in Solid Rocket Motors Equations (5) and (8) can be combined and either the pressure or the bore area eliminated. Elimination of the area, results in a quadratic equation with solutions
p=
Equation (9) has real solutions only for
1 1 4cw 2c
(9)
1 4c
(10)
The solutions to eq. (9) are plotted in Fig. 2 as a function of the reciprocal stiffness parameter of the propellant, c . The dimensionless mass flow rate produced by the propellant has been taken to be constant, with a value of unity; this approximation implies that the propellant grain is a flow source. The flow from the propellant grain is actually a weak function of pressure so this is a reasonable approximation.
5
p, DIMENSIONLESS PRESSURE
SOLUTION UNPHYSICAL SOLUTION
0 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 c, DIMENSIONLESS, RECIPROCAL STIFFNESS

Figure 2: Model Problem with
w = 1.
The two solutions to eq. (9) are shown in Fig. 2. The lower locus of solutions has positive slope and can occur physically; the solutions on the upper curve are physically unrealizable. (If one were somehow able to start out on the upper curve, the flow state would immediately jump to the other, lower-energy curve.) The two solutions are connected at the point at which the product of w and c is a maximum (or in the case of Fig. 2, maximum c ). This critical value occurs when the equality in eq. (10) is satisfied. The models of Wimpress (1950) and Bartley and Mills (1959) also show double-valued solution curves, only one of which is physically realizable. As both these articles point out, attempts to operate beyond the critical point will cause the motor to blow up.
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Flow-Structural Interaction in Solid Rocket Motors In summary, the very simple model developed here shows that at low flow rates or high propellant modulus, there are two solutions to the model equations. Only one of these solutions has physical significance. These two solutions join and terminate at a critical flow rate given in dimensionless terms by the equality in eq. (10) and in dimensional terms by
Wcrit =
2 KA0 4C
(11)
The motor has no operating point for flows exceeding the critical one defined by eq. (11). This model illustrates how the grain and the flow can couple and result in an unstable motor. Furthermore, the physics of this simple model is the same as in the large-scale numerical models used previously to study this phenomenon and discussed subsequently.
APPLICATION OF SIMPLE MODEL TO TITAN SRMU

It is interesting to apply the simple model developed in the previous section to the Titan failure to assess its validity, since the critical flow rate only depends on three parameters. The first parameter in eq. (11) is simply the constant relating pressure, flow rate, and area for choked flow. This constant can easily be obtained from the known motor pressure, motor flow rate, and nozzle flow area. Table 1 gives the relevant Titan SRMU constants and the value of K computed from the values in the first three lines of the table.
Table 1: Selected Titan SRMU Parameters
Motor mass flow rate, Mg/s Motor chamber pressure, MPa Nozzle throat area, m2 Choked flow constant, ms/m Specific heat ratio Sonic pressure ratio Mass flow from forward two segments, Mg/s Propellant elastic modulus (at failure), MPa
W*
18.8 7.45 0.535 4.72 1.13 0.578 13.2 8.2
Pc A* K
P * / Pc
W12
The other two parameters can be obtained from Fig. 3, which is obtained from Johnston and Murdock (1995). (This paper will be discussed in more detail, subsequently. For now we are only concerned with Fig. 3.)
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Figure 3: Structural Influence Coefficients for the Aft Propellant Segment, Titan SRMU.
The figure shows the initial diameter of the grain at point A. This is the forward corner of the aft propellant segment and is the known location of the grain collapse. The radius of 501 mm gives a value of A0 of 0.789 m2. The matrix operator in Fig. 3 also shows the structural influence coefficients of the aft propellant section. These coefficients were obtained from a series of grain structural analyses carried out using the ABAQUS (1989) code. The grain deformations can be obtained by multiplying the coefficient matrix by the indicated pressure loads. The quantity E is the propellant modulus (MPa); P1 , P2 , P3 , P4 , and P5 are the values of the depicted pressure loads (MPa); rA , z A , and rB are the radial and axial displacements (mm) of points A , B , which are at the corner and midpoint of the segment. The first row of the matrix in Fig. 3 can be used to compute the rate of change in bore radius with pressure. This can be related to the constant C in the simple model by differentiating eq. (7)
C=
dA dr = 2r dP dP
(12)
It is now necessary to relate the single, stagnation pressure in the model to the five pressure loads in Fig. 3. Only the pressures acting at the point A are of interest, so P3 which does not act at that location is neglected. Two distributed pressure forces act on the left-hand face in Fig. 3, P4 and P5 . The algebraic sum of these ( P4 P5 according to the sign convention of Fig. 3) is equated to the variable P used in the present model.
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Flow-Structural Interaction in Solid Rocket Motors We arbitrarily partition half the pressure to each component. These assumptions give
P4 = P / 2
(13) (14)
P5 = P / 2
It assumed that the radial pressure acting on point A is the sonic throat pressure, which according to Table 1 is 0.578 times the stagnation pressure. In a similar manner we assume that the algebraic sum of P1 and P2 equals the sonic pressure and the partitioning is again equal. This gives
P1 = 0.578P / 2 P2 = 0.578P / 2
(15) (16)
The matrix equation in Fig. 3 can now be used to determine dr / dP , using the approximate propellant modulus at failure, taken from Johnston and Murdock (1995) and replicated in Table 1. Combining this value with eqs. (12) and (11) gives
Wcrit = 9.33 Mg/s
(17)
Comparing this with the flow from the two forward segments, given in Table 1, we see that the simple prediction indicates that a 30 percent lower motor flow than the actual one would have caused a grain with this modulus to collapse. (The model and the present discussion neglect the weak variation of motor flow rate with pressure.)
Wcrit = 0.71 W12
(18)
An alternative interpretation is that at the motor flow rate, even if the modulus had been 30 percent higher, the motor would still have failed. Stated still another way, the simple model is conservative by 30 percent compared to the large-scale numerical model. It was briefly mentioned previously that the simple model could be improved by replacing the linear pressurearea relation, eq. (7), with a linear pressure-radius model. Such a model may be written as
R = R0 C R P
(19)
Combining this equation, rather than eq. (7), with eq. (1) gives a cubic rather than a quadratic equation. Analytical solutions are still possible, but the algebra is more complicated. Skipping the details, an equation for the critical mass flow rate, similar to eq. (11) can be obtained in this case. It is
Wcrit =
Substitution of numerical values into eq. (20), gives
3 4KR0 27C R
(20)
Wcrit = 11.1 Mg/s
(17)
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Flow-Structural Interaction in Solid Rocket Motors This value is 16 percent lower than the flow from the two forward segments. Thus, this model is conservative by about half as much as the linear pressure-area model. To summarize, a quite simple model of the grain collapse has been developed to illustrate the physics of this interaction. This model has been applied to the Titan SRMU failure and found to produce reasonable and conservative predictions of the failure. However, we have used in this model the numerically generated influence coefficients for the grain displacement. Thus, the actual application of the model used a combination of fluid mechanical approximations and numerical stress analysis. Even so, this model is significantly simpler than the coupled, unsteady flow-structural interaction calculations discussed subsequently in this document. It is surprising that this model works as well as it does. As noted, it was developed primarily for illustrative purposes, rather than predictive purposes. Also it has only been compared against a single data point. Any application of this model to new designs should keep these limitations in mind.
COMPLETE MOTOR MODEL

During the ignition transient period of solid rocket motor (SRM) operation, several complex, time-dependent coupled processes occur. In a large segmented SRM, the hot gas from the igniter travels down the bore and heats the propellant surface to ignition; once ignition occurs, the propellant surface becomes a site of gas generation. Since the convective and radiative heat transfer that lead to propellant ignition are dependent on the developing flowfield, and since the development of the internal flowfield is dependent on the rate at which the flame spreads down the motor, the time-dependent flow and surface temperature are coupled. Furthermore, the surface pressure load on the propellant grain causes deformation, which in turn alters the flowfield. This results in additional coupling of the internal flowfield with the propellant geometry. This flowstructural coupling is particularly important in segmented SRMs, in which the propellant segments have forward corners (see Fig. 1) that jut out into the bore at intersegment slots (e.g., Titan 7 segment SRM, Space Shuttle SRM, Titan SRMU, Ariane 5 MPS). When axial flow impinges on a protruding corner, the surface pressure deforms the corner out into the bore and further constricts the flow, which then raises the upstream pressure and exacerbates the pressure loading on the corner. If this feedback loop proves to be unstable, then the corner will continue to deform and the motor to pressurize, until either the grain and/or the motor case fails. Johnston and Murdock (1995) developed the first, multidimensional, coupled numerical procedure for analysis of the flow-structural interaction. Their computer code simultaneously modeled the developing flowfield and the associated propellant grain deformation during the ignition transient period of SRM operation. It is during this initial period of motor operation, when the propellant surface has receded only a little through burning and erosion, that the pressure differential across propellant segment corners typically is at a maximum and the bore radius at a minimum. It is at this time that the interaction between the grain and the flowfield, and the associated danger of grain and motor case failure, is greatest. The following elements were coupled together to create a code, designed to provide a model of the time-dependent, fluid-solid interaction inside an SRM: 1) An ignition transient flow code (Johnston [1991]), which provides a detailed picture of the timedependent flowfield and flame spreading inside the motor. The ignition transient flow code is itself created by coupling together an unsteady internal- flow code (Ton, Wang, and Widhopf [1990]) with an unsteady heat conduction solution for the propellant surface temperature. 2) A set of structural influence coefficients, that allows the major features of the grain deformation that result from a given surface pressure distribution to be calculated (Patel and Yang [1991]).
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Flow-Structural Interaction in Solid Rocket Motors 3) A grid-generation code, which generates a grid mesh for the internal-flow passages, based on the deformed shape of the propellant grain. This grid mesh then is used in the ignition transient flow code. These three elements are needed for any flow-structural interaction code. Further details of these three elements as assembled by Johnston and Murdock (1995) are given in the remainder of this section.
Ignition Transient Flow Solution

Johnston (1991) developed the numerical calculation procedure for treating the ignition transient flowfield. The ignition transient flow solution is a composite calculation. It combines an unsteady, axisymmetric solution of the equations of inviscid fluid motion with semi-empirical models for the convective and radiative heat transfer to the propellant surface during the run-up to ignition. The inviscid, single-phase, single-component flow solution is obtained from a time-marching, finite-volume numerical solution of the Euler equations. This numerical solution, which is spatially second-order accurate and employs the total variation diminishing (TVD) methodology of Harten (1983), is described by Wang and Widhopf (1989) and has been implemented for segmented SRMs by Ton, Wang, and Widhopf (1990). An unsteady, one-dimensional, heat conduction solution for the propellant grain is coupled to this flow solution in order to calculate the propellant surface temperature. Together with a surface temperature ignition criterion, this determines the ignition delay and flame-spreading rate.
Grain Shape Calculation

In the Johnston and Murdock (1995) approach, the grain deformation component in the flow-structural interactive calculation procedure is employed periodically at constant intervals throughout the time-marching process. An interval of 100 time steps between geometry updates was found by experience to provide sufficient time accuracy and to be economically feasible. Since the typical flow solution time step was limited by numerical stability to the order of 10-5 s, it follows that the grain shape was recalculated about every millisecond. The grain deformation calculation itself consists of multiplying (for each propellant segment under consideration) a pressure loads vector by a structural influence coefficient matrix to get the resultant displacements at a few key points, which define the shape of the grain. This procedure was illustrated for the aft segment of the SRMU in Fig. 3 and the details of its implementation were discussed in a previous section. Note that although the coefficient matrices used therein were relatively small, there is no fundamental limitation on size.
Grid Geometry
The final element needed in the flow-structural interaction calculation is a grid generation package. Many excellent grid generation codes are available today, so that most of the approximations made in some of the earlier work would not be necessary today. One exception is the treatment of star grains, which are treated with an axisymmetric model to avoid a full three-dimensional computer code. The propellant in the forward closure of the Titan SRMU has a star-grain cross-section with axial grooves. To account for this three-dimensional feature in the axisymmetric model, the axial grooves were omitted, resulting in an annular propellant cross section. The inner radius of this annulus was set so that the void volume in the actual forward segment and the computational forward segment
RTO-EN-023 3-9
Flow-Structural Interaction in Solid Rocket Motors were matched. Then the burning rate in the forward closure was adjusted upward to account for the discrepancy in the burning area. Another consideration is the procedure for mapping the numerical solution for the old grid onto the new grid geometry. Johnston and Murdock (1995) used a grid generation code in which the number of flowfield cells did not change nor did the relative position within the mesh change as that mesh undergoes distortion. As a consequence, when a geometry update was carried out, the shape and position of the cells changed only slightly. For this reason, the cell values of pressure, density, temperature, and velocity during the geometry update process were simply carried over. Although the prior approach gave satisfactory results, a more rigorous approach is to derive the moving boundary finite difference equations for the flow model, as has been done by Wang (1992), and use these equations when the grid is updated. Wang, Yang, Than, and Ndefo (1994) used this approach when they did flow structural calculation for the Titan 7-segment rocket motor. However, one drawback to this more rigorous approach is the requirement to deform the grid and remesh each time step.
LARGE MOTOR SOLUTIONS

There were two consequences of the failure of the Titan SRMU. The first was an extensive effort to model and understand the failure, so that a recurrence could be prevented. Subsequent to this, other large motors were analyzed to make sure there was no chance of a grain failure. Some of these analyses were done before the motors were flown, as in the case of the Ariane V, and some were carried out for motors already flying successfully, such as the Titan 7-segment SRM. The results of these efforts are summarized here.
Titan SRMU Solutions

Johnston and Murdock (1995) carried out several numerical stimulations using the time-dependent, flow-structural interactive procedure described herein in order to simulate the static firing of the Titan SRMU, which occurred on April 1, 1991, at Edwards Air Force Base, California. At about 1.6 s into this static test, the motor case failed due to excessive internal pressure. Chamber pressure measurements obtained just prior to the failure showed the head-end chamber pressure increasing rapidly and the aft-end pressure dropping. This divergence of the head-end and aft-end chamber pressures implies a bore constriction, and strain gauge measurements from various axial locations placed this critical constriction at the aft slot. The probable cause of this bore constriction was judged to be the uncontrolled deformation, or collapse, of the forward corner of the aft propellant segment under the applied pressure load. Due to the uncertainty in the value of the propellant modulus, and the crucial role that this property plays in the success or failure of the motor, numerical static firing simulations were performed for a range of propellant moduli. Simulations were produced with the modulus represented as a decreasing function of time and with constant modulus. The first type of behavior was intended to model change in effective modulus as the propellant undergoes pressurization. The assumed modulus functions for the four cases considered here are shown in Fig. 4. Also shown in Fig. 4 are the cases in which a grain collapse was or was not predicted.
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Figure 4: Modulus Functions for Titan SRMU Simulations.
The numerical solution using the modulus shown in Fig. 4 as Case I gave best agreement with the static firing data and is the only result shown herein. The modulus in this case is defined by
E = 9.0 ; t 1.1
E = 9.0 1.7(t 1.1) ; t > 1.1

where E is in MPa and t in seconds.
(18)
The predictions for Case I are shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The computed bore radii at the forward and aft corners of the center and aft propellant segments are given in Fig. 5. Figure 5 shows that the forward corner of the aft segment is deflected slowly inward for about the first 1.5 s. It then very suddenly collapses to essentially zero, when the motor fails. A comparison of the pressure data at the fore and aft ends of the motor with predictions for the same locations is shown in Fig. 6. The agreement is quite good, except that the run up to failure is slower in the actual case than in the prediction. This disagreement is most probably associated with the approximations made in modeling the propellant modulus by eq. (18).
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Figure 5: Computed Bore Radii (Case I), Titan SRMU.
Figure 6: Comparison of Computed (Case I) and Measured Head- and Aft-End Pressures, Titan SRMU.
Since a catastrophic bore constriction arises when forward corners of propellant segments jut out into the bore flow, designs that remove or mitigate this feature will produce a better motor design. The obvious way to do this is to chamfer (i.e., either chop off or round) the forward corners of the segments as shown in Fig. 7.
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Figure 7: Chamfering Concepts.
Johnston and Murdock (1995) carried out a flow-structural simulation for an SRMU with a straight chamfer at the forward corner of the aft segment, but with the center segment unchanged. This chamfer, which removes a triangular cross-sectional piece from the corner, is shown as A in Fig. 7. The modulus was lowered until the motor failed; the results from this numerical solution may be found in Figs. 8 and 9. This failure was interesting, because in this case the catastrophic bore constriction occurred at the forward corner of the center segment (see Fig. 8). The grain deformation of the aft segment was diminished considerably by the chamfer, and the numerical results indicated that a failure originating at the aft segment would not be possible for this motor.
Figure 8: Computed Bore Radii, Titan SRMU, Straight Chamfer on Aft Segment.
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Figure 9: Computed Head- and Aft-End Pressures, Titan SRMU, Straight Chamfer on Aft Segment.
The model developed in the first section of this article shows that, because the flow rate is larger there, the preferred failure site for a motor is the forward corner of the aft-most segment. However, the numerical simulations for the Titan SRMU shown in Figs. 8 and 9 show the forward corner of the center segment can also experience failure. These results suggest that a successful design may require chamfering most or all of the segments in a multi-segment motor.
Ariane 5 MPS Solutions

Johnston (1996) analyzed the Ariane 5 MPS. Despite the fact that this motor has chamfered leading edges of both the center and aft segments, it is susceptible to a grain collapse if the modulus is small enough. (The internal grain geometry and finite difference mesh used to analyze the flow are shown in Fig. 10.)
Figure 10: Initial Geometry and Cell Mesh for the Ariane 5 Internal Flowfield.
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Flow-Structural Interaction in Solid Rocket Motors Johnston found that if the modulus exceeded 500 psi (3.4 MPa) then the grain is stable. However, when he analyzed the case with a propellant modulus of 400 psi (2.8 MPa) he found a grain collapse. These results are shown in Figs. 11 and 12. Figure 11 shows the bore radii and the two corners of the chamfered grain, with the collapse occurring after 0.3 s. The grain oscillations at about 0.1 s are deemed to be non-physical and associated with the fact that the propellant mass and damping are neglected. Since these oscillations damp out before the collapse they are not a concern.
Figure 11: Computed Bore Radii at the Upstream and Downsteam Corners of the Aft Segment Chamfer, Ariane 5 MPS (E = 2.8 MPa).
The divergence of the head- and aft-end pressures at the time of the collapse is shown in Fig. 12.
Figure 12: Computed Head- and Aft-End Pressures, Ariane 5 MPS (E = 2.8 MPa).
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Titan 7-Segment Solutions

Wang, Yang, Than, and Ndefo (1994) carried out a flow-structural analysis for the Titan IV 7-segment motor. As noted previously, these calculations make fewer grid generation approximations than the earlier models but may expend more computer time. It is again found that if the modulus of the propellant is low enough, a grain collapse will occur. For this motor, the authors found that the Titan 7-segment motor will fail at the corner of the 7th segment if the modulus is 600 psi (4.1 MPa) or less. As expected the failure occurs at the forward end of the last segment, where the flow rate is largest.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
Flow-structural interaction of the bore flow and the propellant grain has caused occasional rocket motor failures. The most notable and recent one is the Titan SRMU. With modern computer methods, this failure mechanism can be modeled and steps, such as chamfering, taken to eliminate it if it is found to be possible. Even though motor failures of this class had occurred prior to the first test of the Titan SRMU and their cause documented, the possibility of a grain collapse on this motor was overlooked. A possible cause of this oversight is that this failure involves two disciplines, fluid and structural mechanics. Hopefully, this article can help to prevent such a lapse in the future.
REFERENCES
ABAQUS, 1989, Version 4.8, Users Manual, Hibbit, Karlson, and Sorensen, Inc., Palo Alto, CA. Bartley, C.E., and Mills, M.M., 1959, Solid Propellant Rockets, Jet Propulsion Engines, Vol. XII, High Speed Aerodynamics and Jet Propulsion, Ed. O.E. Lancaster, pp. 541-544, Princeton University Press, Princeton. Chang, I-S., Patel, N.R., and Yang, S., 1994, Titan IV SRMU Anomaly and Redesign Analyses, AIAA Paper 94-3284. Cosstephens, S.D., An Efficient Model for Coupling Solid Rocket Internal Flows with Grain Deformation, AIAA Paper 95-2875. Glick, R.L., Cavney, L.H., and Thurman, J.L., 1967, Internal Ballistics of Slotted-Tube, Solid-Propellant Rocket Motors, Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, Vol. 4, No. 4, pp. 525-530. Harten. A., 1983, High Resolution Schemes for Hyperbolic Conservation Laws, Journal of Computational Physics, Vol. 49, No. 3, pp. 357-393. Johnson, D.H., and Lauterbach, D.D., 1992, Coupled Flow-Structural Analysis of the Redesigned Titan IV SRMU, AIAA Paper 92-3825. Johnston, W.A., 1991, A Numerical Procedure for the Analysis of the Internal Flow in a Solid Rocket Motor During the Ignition Transient Period, AIAA Paper 91-1655. Johnston, W.A., 1996, Flow-Structural Analysis of the Ariane 5 Solid Rocket Motor During Ignition Transient, AIAA Paper 96-0653.
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Flow-Structural Interaction in Solid Rocket Motors Johnston, W.A., and Murdock, J.W., 1995, Flow-Structural Interaction Inside a Solid Rocket Motor during Ignition Transient, Journal of Propulsion and Power, Vol. 11, No. 5, pp. 998-1005. Patel, N.R., and Yang, S.H., 1991, Personal Communication, The Aerospace Corp., Los Angeles, CA. Shapiro, A.H., (1953), The Dynamics and Thermodynamics of Compressible Fluid Flow, p. 85, Ronald Press, New York. Ton, V.T., Wang, J.C.T., and Widhopf, G.F., 1990, Segmented Solid Rocket Motor Internal Flow Simulations, AIAA Paper 90-0683. Wang, J.C.T., 1992, A Full Conservation Finite Volume TVD Algorithm for Initial-Boundary Value Problems with Moving Boundary, Advances in Computer Methods for Partial Differential Equations VII, Ed. V. Vichnevetsky, D. Knight, and G. Richter, pp. 782-787, IMACS, New Brunswick, NJ. Wang, J.C.T., Yang, S.H., Than, P.T., and Ndefo, E.D., 1994, Coupled Transient Flowfield and Propellant Deformation Analyses for the Titan IV 7-Segment Solid Rocket Motor, AIAA Paper 94-3285. Wang, J.C.T., and Widhopf, G.F., 1989, A High-Resolution TVD Finite Volume Scheme for the Euler Equations in Conservation Form, Journal of Computational Physics, Vol. 84, No. 1, pp. 145-173. Wimpress, R.N., 1950, Internal Ballistics of Solid-Fuel Rockets, p. 79, McGraw-Hill, New York.
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Combustion of Solid Propellants

G. Lengell, J. Duterque, J.F. Trubert
Research Scientists, Energetics Department Office national dtudes et de recherches arospatiales (ONERA) 29 avenue de la Division Leclerc BP 72 92322 Chtillon Cedex FRANCE
ABSTRACT
A review of the understanding of the combustion mechanisms of solid propellants that the authors have built from their work and from the literature is presented. Such an understanding is an important part of the process carried out to master the behavior of solid propellants and to obtain desired characteristics (with respect to energetic level, burning rate level, sensitivity to pressure and initial temperature, nature of emitted combustion products, vulnerability to various aggressions...). The propellants and propellant components considered are: double-base propellants, based on nitrocellulose and nitroglycerin, active binder, based on an inert polymer (or energetic such as PAG) and a liquid nitrate ester, inert binders, such as polybutadiene, ammonium perchlorate, nitramines, such as HMX, RDX and CL20 (HNIW), composite ammonium perchlorate-inert binder propellants, composite propellants based on a nitramine and an active binder, aluminum, with respect to the two previous types of propellants, additives, when appropriate.
The features of the combustion zone described are: In the condensed phase, the thickness of the temperature profile and of the decomposition zone, the kinetics of the decomposition, the energy released, the nature of the gases evolved, the surface temperature; In the gas phase, the type of flame structure (diffusion or kinetically controlled), the possibility of staging (such as in double-base propellants), the kinetics of the reaction(s), the energy released, the flame temperature (primary and final, when applicable).
It is concluded that a fairly proper knowledge of the combustion of the various components and propellants has been acquired (being now extended to new ingredients, oxidizers or binders). Furthermore, based on this knowledge, a first approach modeling description can be achieved. Such a description is necessary in accompanying the elaboration of new propellants and in preparing the investigation of more complicated regimes such as those of erosive burning and of non-stationary response.
INTRODUCTION
Much work has been devoted in various countries to investigating the combustion mechanisms of solid propellants. It is timely to bring together the information obtained by the authors and compared to that of the literature on the combustion of the individual components as well as of their combination into propellants. This review is about the existing components and propellants: double-base propellants and active binders, inert binders, ammonium perchlorate, HMX, RDX and CL20 and the corresponding composite propellants, ammonium perchlorate inert binder (plus possibly aluminum), HMX (or RDX or CL20) active binder. The viewpoint adopted here is that of the understanding of the combustion behavior of propellants. Therefore as much information as possible is presented about the fundamentals of the processes (thermal properties, kinetics in the condensed phase and in the gas phase...), whereas no attempt is made to establish a complete catalog of practical results on various propellants with different particle sizes, catalysts, variations on the percentage of ingredients. The aim is to give a clear, as conclusive as possible picture. This will then be non compatible with a complete discussion of the various, sometimes contradictory, mechanisms proposed in the literature. Also precluding such a discussion is the will to compare the different components and the corresponding propellants. Some space is taken up by physico-chemical modeling. The aim is not so much to give the elements of mathematical descriptions which could be used for a priori computations of burning characteristics of propellants (to the extent that such computations are possible). The point is more to put to test the hypotheses made on the mechanisms of combustion by incorporating them in reasonable models and confronting the results thus obtained to experimental data. These descriptions can also be viewed, along-side with the data given for each component or propellant, as useful for mastering the regimes of combustion which go beyond stationary combustion: that is erosive burning and unsteady (under pressure excursions or pressure oscillations) combustion responses. Table 1 gives information about the various types of propellants of actual use.
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Table 1: Performances/Characteristics of Various Propellants
PROPELLANT COMPOSITION (main ingredients) Extruded DB Nitrocellulose Nitroglycerin
p g/cm3
Is(70/1) theoretical. (losses) 230 s ( - 10 s) 225 s ( - 10 s) 250 s ( - 10s)
APPLICATIONS /CHARACTERISTICS - Anti-tank rockets and missiles - AS rockets - Some tactical missiles (SA) Minimum smoke - Anti-tank missiles - Some tactical missiles (AS) Minimum smoke - Some AS rockets - Some tactical missiles Reduced smoke (HCl-H2O) AA tactical missiles Anti-ship missiles (booster) Tactical ballistic missiles Strategic ballistic missiles Apogee motors Boosters for space launchers (Titan III, IV, V, Space Shuttle, Ariane V, H2A...) Smoky (Al2O3) - Anti-ship missiles (cruise) - SA missiles Minimum smoke (without AP) - Strategic ballistic missiles (upper stages) (Trident, MX...) Smoky (Al2O3)
1.66
Powder cast DB
Nitrocellulose Nitroglycerin Ex: 88 % AP 12 % HTPB Ex: 68 AP - 20 al. 12 HTPB
1.66 1.72
AP composite
AP composite with aluminum
1.82
265 s ( - 20 s)
HMX (RDX) composite HMX composite with aluminum
HMX or RDX XLDB binder HMX + AP+ Al XLDB binder
< 1.75
< 255 s ( - 15 s)
1.87
273 s
Sources:
Air et Cosmos n 1000, May 1984. Annales des Mines, Jan-Feb. 1986. Aronautique et Astronautique, n 138, 1989.
Double-base propellants (made by the extrusion or powder casting techniques) are used in anti-tank rockets or missiles and in some tactical missiles. Their main advantage is that they produce a minimum amount of smoke (only from a small amount of additives). Composite propellants, based on ammonium perchlorate (AP) without aluminum, generate reduced smoke, HCl and H2O vapor will precipitate into droplets in the plume under given temperature and humidity conditions. They are used for various tactical missiles. With aluminum, they are widely used in missiles and space launchers. They produce alumina smoke, which, in the case of space launchers, could be considered in the future to be undesirable (along with HCl). Composite propellants based on nitramines and an active binder (cross linked polymer with nitroglycerin or other liquid nitrate esters) are used more and more. Without aluminum, they are in the minimum smoke category and they replace DB propellants. With aluminum, they reach the highest specific impulse and density and are used so far for upper stages of strategic missiles.
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Combustion of Solid Propellants The combustion of the components and then of the various propellants will be seen in the next chapters. A few general references about chemical propulsion, solid propellants and combustion can be found at the end of the main text, ahead of more specialized references introduced progressively in the following chapters.
COMBUSTION OF DOUBLE-BASE PROPELLANTS AND ACTIVE BINDERS

1.0 Introduction
It seems appropriate to consider double-base propellant combustion mechanisms in the first place because they correspond to relatively simpler premixed processes which lend themselves to a better understanding and because they have been investigated for a long time (starting in the 1950s) in the US, the then USSR, the UK, Japan and France in particular. General background on the combustion of double-base propellants can be found in references [1-6]. As will be seen, the mechanisms involved in the combustion of double-base propellants will apply as well to the active binders ( 1/3 polymer, 2/3 nitroglycerin, or other liquid nitrate esters). Double-base propellants are made in a number of ways. When they are rolled or extruded, the components are nitrocellulose and nitroglycerin, to which some stabilizers such as centralite and plasticizers are added. When they are cast, a casting powder (made of nitrocellulose, some nitroglycerin, and the various additives) is swelled within the mold by a liquid mixture of nitroglycerin and triacetin. The grain thus obtained is then inhibited and used free standing in the motor. The propellant ingredients can also be mixed, cast, cross-linked, and the grain case bonded. Depending on the relative amounts of nitrocellulose and nitroglycerin, Figure 1, the energetic level of the propellant can be increased or, in the usual terminology, its heat of explosion or calorimetric value, that is, the heat evolved in a calorimetric bomb by combustion under an inert atmosphere. One can then talk about cool and hot compositions.
Figure 1: Components of Double Base Propellants.
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Combustion of Solid Propellants Double-base propellants are used in small and medium sized rockets and thus exposed to varying ambient temperatures. The sensitivity of the motor operation to temperature depends upon the propellant burning rate sensitivity to both the temperature and the pressure. As can be seen on Fig. 2, the pressure exponent, in the usual empirical law vb ~ pn, is around 0.7 and increases to nearly 1 at high pressure. Super-rate effects (Fig. 3) are created by the use of additives, most often lead and copper salts combined with carbon black. At the end of the super-rate zone, the burning rate falls back to that of the control propellant, with the occurrence of a nearly zero pressure exponent zone, a plateau effect, or a negative exponent zone, a mesa effect. These terms are used by analogy with topographical features. A fairly complete set of results can be found in reference [6]. It is only in these reduced pressure exponent zones that the propellant is used to minimize the motor operation sensitivity to ambient temperature. Due to this fact, the study of the combustion of propellants without additives should be conceived only as a first step leading to an understanding of modified (that is, with additives) propellants.
Figure 2: Burning Rate vs Pressure. (Double Base Propellants)
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Figure 3: Super-Rate Effects. (Double Base Propellants)
2.0
Flame Structure
From the works mentioned previously it is possible to describe the combustion wave structure of doublebase propellants, in particular its chemical processes, see Figs. 4 and 5. The various data will be discussed and justified later. Gas analysis results are from reference [7]; they refer to mass fractions.
Figure 4: Temperature Profiles. (Double Base Propellant)
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Figure 5: Various Zones of the Combustion of a Double Base Propellant.
The propellant components pass unaffected through a preheated zone of a few tens of micrometers in a few milliseconds and reach a superficial degradation zone (or foam zone in the early literature) where the temperature becomes high enough for the molecular degradation to take place, initiated by the rupture of the C-O-//-NO2 bond. Simultaneous recombination occurs so that a mixture of NO2, aldehydes, but also NO emerges from the surface and so that the net energy balance of the degradation is exothermic. At pressures under about 100 atm, a clearly separated primary flame (fizz zone) and a secondary flame (luminous flame) are observed, the first involving NO2-aldehydes reactions and the second probably NO-CO reactions. In this pressure range the secondary flame is too far away to have any effect on the surface or even to induce a temperature gradient into the primary flame. The burning rate is then entirely under the influence of the latter. This corresponds to a burning rate/pressure law with a 0.7 pressure exponent (Fig. 1). As the pressure increases, the secondary flame enhances and then merges into the primary flame and a transition is observed to a zone with a pressure exponent close to 1. When the secondary flame is fully developed, even at pressures for which it does not yet influence the burning rate, the final products (N2, CO, CO2, H2O and H2) and the final temperature (2100-3100 K, depending on the heat of explosion) are attained. Table 2 gives data relative to the various zones of the combustion wave.
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Table 2: Characteristics of the Combustion Zones (Measured Results from Zenin)
Pressure atm. vb mm/s Ts , K Preheated zone, m (measured/computed) Residence time in preheated zone, ms Superficial degradation zone m Residence time in superficial zone, ms Flame thickness, m (measured)
10 1.9 610 140/194 100
50 6.7 662 50/55 8
100 10.6 685 45/35 3
11 6 200
3 0,5 75
2 0,2 110 (secondary flame)
Double bas propellant s e taged flam e 0.7 1.2
(1 st flam , dark zone, 2 e 1.6
nd flam e
2.1
), under pres ures: s 2.6 MP . a
HMX under 0.15 MP , a
Visualizations with high speed camera, for a double base propellant, showing the secondary flame moving closer to the surface, and a comparative picture for HMX which will be evoked further on.
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3.0
Condensed Phase Processes
The preheated zone of a regressing propellant is described by the conservation of energy in a coordinate (x > 0 in the gas phase) regressing with the surface: p vb cp dT / dx = d( p dT / dx ) / dx in such a way that a temperature profile ( T - T0 ) / ( Ts - T0 ) = exp( x vb / dp ), dp p / p cp (2) (1)
will progress with the surface into the propellant. From measurements up to 100C and from ignition experiments, representative average values are taken as indicated in Table 3.
Table 3: Values of the Condensed Phase Properties (Double-Base Propellants)
p = 1.6 g/cm3, cp = 0.4 cal/g K, p = 5.1 10-4 cal/s cm K dp = 0.8 10-3 cm2/s
The thickness econd. of the conduction zone can be taken conventionally as T( end of cond. zone ) - T0 = 10-2 ( Ts - To ) econd. = ( dp /vb ) ln102 As an example, for vb = 10 mm/s econd. = 37m, a thickness through which the temperature rises from 293 K to about 700 K. The residence time through this conduction zone is: cond. = ( dp / vb2 ) ln102 about 4 ms in this example; a very short time for a temperature increase of 400 K. The superficial degradation zone has its thickness ruled by the conservation of the non degraded propellant mass fraction Yp: p vb dYp / dx = - p Ac exp( - Ec / R T ), (5) (4) (3)
with the decomposition represented by an Arrhenius law. Numerous investigations by thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, on nitrocellulose, nitroglycerin and other nitrate esters, as well as on double base propellants, and ignition studies [5] result in:
Table 4: Values for the Condensed Phase Degradation Kinetics (Double-Base Propellants)
Decomposition order 0, Ac = 1 1017 s-1, Ec = 40 kcal/mole
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Combustion of Solid Propellants The thickness of the degradation layer is related to the fast drop in the degradation rate. When this rate is 10-2 that at the surface temperature, the lower limit of the reaction layer is conventionally reached: exp[ - c / ( 1 - T / Ts )] = 10-2 exp( - c ), the temperature drop is then T / Ts = 1 / ( 1 + c / ln102 ) (6) c E c / R Ts
T 100 K for Ts = 700 K. Such a temperature drop inserted in Eq. (2) gives an estimation of the reaction layer thickness ereaction = - ( dp / vb ) ln[ 1 - T / ( Ts - To ) ] or taking into account the magnitude of the reduced activation energy ( c 30 ). ereaction econd. Ts / c ( Ts - To ) (7)
For the values taken above, at vb = 10 mm/s, ereact 2 m, with an associated residence time react of 0.2 ms. The summation of Eq. (5) through the degradation layer results in: p vb ( Yp,s - Yp,0 ) = - p Ac exp( - Ec / R T ) dx vb ~ Ac exp( - Ec / R Ts ) ereaction = Ac exp( - c ) ( dp / vb ) ln102( 1 / c ) [ Ts / ( Ts - T0 ) ] A more rigorous approach [8] (which is almost identical to a numerical computation [9]) gives, for a zero order reaction: vb2 = ( dp / c) Ac exp( - c ) / ( 1 - T0 / Ts - Qs / 2 cp Ts ) (9) (8)
This equation indicates a relation between surface temperature and burning rate: the mass flow rate p vb emitted from the surface is the result of the decomposition of the propellant into gases throughout the superficial degradation layer, Eq. (8). The higher the burning rate vb, the smaller the residence time react. ~ 1 / vb2, and the higher is the surface temperature reached to allow for the complete degradation of the propellant. Traverses with micro-thermocouples (as seen previously the thickness of the combustion wave is of the order of tens of m) allow to obtain measurements of the surface temperature [2,3,4,5]. One example is given on Fig. 6. The results from various sources are collected (see [5] for references), as burning rate versus 1 / Ts, on Fig. 7. Also indicated is the correlation obtained from Eq. (9). Due to the thinness of the conduction zone, a few tens of micrometers, fairly large errors and scatter should be expected in the measurements of the surface temperature. Nevertheless, some conclusions can be reached (see also Refs. [3,10]). The initial degradation of the propellant components is controlled by the breaking of the -C-O-//-NO2 bond (characterized by the 40 kcal/mole activation energy). This is considered to be a temperature sensitive only process, irreversible (therefore not influenced by the pressure level). It is noteworthy that the kinetics of the degradation is the same from thermal decomposition (by TG and DSC) at about 400 K, to ignition from 400 to 500 K [5] and combustion at temperatures up to 700 K. Also important is the conclusion, if one looks at the details of Fig. 7, that the presence of super rate producing additives does not affect the condensed phase kinetics.
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Combustion of Solid Propellants The energetics of the reaction layer is now to be considered. The initial degradation of the propellant, taking into account the assumed decomposition of nitroglycerin into 3N02, 2 CH2O and 0.5 (CHO)2, is thought to give (for the example of the 1100 cal/g propellant) the mass balance 1 propellant 0.467 NO2 + 0.364 CH2O + 0.1 (CH0)2 + 0.06 hydrocarbons with a corresponding endothermic heat of degradation Qd = - 135 cal/g of propellant. It is thought [5,9,10] that within the superficial layer the exothermic reaction between NO2 and aldehydes can start. A plausible mole balance (in order to match various results, in particular the analysis [7] of the gases emitted from the surface of regressing propellants) is NO2 + CH2O NO + 1/2 CO + 1/2 CO2 + 1/2 H2O + 1/2 H2 with a corresponding exothermic heat of reaction QNO2 = 1040 cal/g of NO2. Conservation of the species NO2 (in terms of mass fraction Y) is written (no diffusion is taken into account) p vb dYNO2 / dx = YNO2,i p Ac exp( - Ec / R T ) - ANO2 ( p M / R T ) YNO2 exp( - ENO2 / R T ) (12) (11) (10)
if a first order reaction with respect to the molar concentration of NO2 is assumed (it will be seen that this is probably the case). The conservation of energy is written p vb c dT / dx- d( dT / dx ) / dx = - Qd p - QNO2 NO2 (13)
with p the rate of reaction of the propellant, as in Eq. (5), and NO2 that of NO2 as in the second term of Eq. (12). The summation of Eqs. (5,12,13) through the condensed phase to the surface leads to: dT / dx|s = p vb ( cg Ts - cp To - Qs ) p vb Qc Qs Qd + QNO2 ( YNO2,i - YNO2,s ) (14) (15)
The first equation is the heat balance at the surface, it means that the heat flux from the flame in the gas phase allows the heating and pyrolysis of the propellant. The net heat of decomposition of the propellant Qs is exothermic to the extent that some NO2 already reacts exothermically in the condensed phase. From thermocouple traverses such as that of Fig. 6 and the balance of Eq. (14), the net heat Qs can be estimated (again scatter should be expected). The results from various sources are given on Fig. 8. The net heat of decomposition is seen to be exothermic and increasing with burning rate (due to an increase in pressure). Summation of Eq. (12) yields (with Eq. (5) taken into account) p vb ( YNO2,i - YNO2,s ) = ANO2 (p M / R T ) YNO2 exp( - ENO2 / R T ) dx ANO2 ( p M / R Ts ) YNO2 exp( - ENO2 / R Ts ) ereact. and with Eq. (8) YNO2,i - YNO2,s ~ ( p M / R Ts ) exp( - ENO2 / R TS ) / exp( - Ec / R Ts )
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Wire 5 m
Example of thermocouple Pt Pt / Rh soldered end to end
Figure 6: Temperature Profile in the Condensed Phase. (Double Base Propellant)
Figure 7: Pyrolysis Law. (Double Base Propellants)
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Figure 8: Heat Evolved in the Condensed Phase. (Double Base Propellants)
This relation indicates that the amount of NO2 reacting in the condensed phase will increase with pressure, and thus Qs will increase, if the reaction rate for NO2 catches up with the decreasing residence time in the degradation layer, react. ~ 1 / vb2 ~ 1 / exp( - Ec / R Ts ) (due to Eq. (9)). A plausible law is obtained for a first order NO2 reaction with an activation energy ENO2 of about 15 kcal/mole. It should be observed that the heat evolved in the condensed phase Qs has to be affected by the amount of NO2 present in the propellant, that is by the heat of explosion. One important feature of Fig. 8 is that the heat evolved in the condensed phase is not affected by the presence of additives.
4.0
Flame Zone
As seen above, the reaction between NO2 and aldehyde starts in the condensed phase in such a way that the surface gas composition [7] indicated on Fig. 5 is obtained, with NO2 being significantly less (0.255) as compared to what results from the initial degradation of the propellant (0.467, in the case of an 1100 cal/g propellant) and with NO already present (0.14). The mole balance of Eq. (11) allows to match as well the gas analysis at the end of the primary flame ([7], measurements at 11 atm) NO2 + CH2O NO + 1/2 CO + 1/2 CO2 + 1/2 H2O + 1/2 H2 QNO2 = 1040 cal/g of NO2.
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(11)
Combustion of Solid Propellants It is likely that aldehyde-aldehyde reactions also occur following (again to match the gas analysis results): CH2O + CH2O CO + 1/2 C2H4 + H2O , (CHO)2 + (CHO)2 4 CO + 2 H2 , Qald.1 = 389 cal/g of CH2O (16) (17)
Qald.2 = - 533 cal/g of (CHO)2
At low pressure when probably only the reaction of (11) can take place, an energy balance between initial temperature and end of the primary flame yield: cg Tfp - cp T0 = Qd + QNO2 YNO2,i, p 1 atm (18)
since the initial NO2 is totally consumed in the condensed phase and the primary flame. An evaluation of Tfp = 1340 K results. It is seen on Fig. 9 that measurements with small thermocouples indicate a large increase with pressure of the primary flame temperature from this value. The aldehyde reactions of Eqs. (16,17) do not produce energy in significant amount. It is assumed [5] that the NO already present at the surface as well as that produced from the NO2-aldehyde reaction react with the layer of carbon residue, attached to the surface, which is observed by direct visualization under combustion and after extinction by scanning electron microscopy.
Figure 9: Primary Flame Temperature of Double Base Propellants.
The NO/carbon reaction had been investigated in [11]. If one makes use of the results obtained, the conservation of the species carbon can be written as (knowing that the carbon layer regresses with the surface) vb dc / dx = ( Mc / MNO ) NO
4 - 14
(19)
RTO-EN-023
Combustion of Solid Propellants NO = - ANO/C exp( - ENO/C / R T ) c Ss,c YNO p M , in g/cm3s (this form resulting from the way the data of [11] is cast), the reaction balance being assumed to be: NO + C 1/2 N2 + CO , QNO/C = 1600 cal/g of NO (20)
and Ss,c being the specific surface area of the carbon (at most 106 cm2 /g). Reference [11] produces (after rounding ENO/C) ANO/C = 2 10-3 mole/s cm2 atm, ENO/C = 30 kcal/mole A rough estimate of the amount of N2 produced by reaction (20) through the primary flame is given by (with m p vb the mass flow rate) m YN2,fp = - ( 1 / 2 ) ( Mc / MNO ) <NO> xf <NO> being evaluated at average values through the flame. With p = 11 atm, vb = 0.28 cm/s, <YNO> = 0.2, <c> = 0.5 g/cm3, <Tf>= 1400 K and xf = 400 m (from thermocouple measurements) it is obtained YN2,fp 0.06 a reasonable value (with respect to the result of Fig. 5). This tends to indicate that the NO/carbon reaction has a kinetics indeed fast enough with respect to the residence time allowed in the primary flame. An energy balance taking into account the NO/carbon reaction is written: cg Tfp - cp T0 = Qd + QNO2 YNO2,i + YNO,cons. QNO/C + Qald Yald,cons. (21)
(the consideration of the aldehyde reaction cools the flame by about 80 K). In this balance YNO,cons. is the amount of NO consumed in the primary flame: YNO,cons. = YNO2,i ( MNO / MNO2 ) - YNO,fp in the case of the example of Fig. 5 and taking into account the uncertainty on the measurements: YNO,cons. = 0.035 to 0.047 and Eq. (21) results in Tfp = 1420 to 1475 K, an admissible value when compared to the results of Fig. 9. The temperature profile in the primary flame is controlled by the conservation of energy [5]. m cg dT / dx - d(g dT / dx) / dx = - QNO2 NO2 - QNO/C NO - Qald.ald.
Table 5: Values Considered as Representative for the Gas Phase (Double-Base Propellants)
(22)
cg = 0.35 cal/g K, g = 1.25 10-4( T / 700 )0.7 cal/cm s K M = 30 g/mole
RTO-EN-023
4 - 15
Combustion of Solid Propellants The evaluation of the heat flux received at the surface, which will then control the burning rate according to Eq. (14), results from the summation of Eq. (22) through the flame zone. Only a true numerical evaluation of the temperature and species profiles will give the proper heat flux. However conclusions can be drawn from approximate relations. The activation energies of the reactions of Eq. (22) being moderate, the flame is distributed and an approximation of the temperature profile is written as: ( Tf - T ) / ( Tf - Ts ) = exp( - 3 x / xf ) (23)
which will produce a shape such as that of Fig. 6. The coefficient of 3 is such that, when x = xf, Tf T is 5 % of Tf -Ts, that is close enough to the final temperature. With Eq. (14) g,s dT / dx|s qs = m Qc p vb (cg Ts - cp T0 - Qs) Eq. (23) yields qs = 3 g,s ( Tf - Ts ) / xf , xf = 3 g,s ( Tf - Ts ) / m Qc (24) (14)
The summation of Eq. (22) through the flame results in m cg ( Tf - Ts ) + qs = 3 Qg <g> xf (<g> positive is the average rate) or with Eqs. (14,24), and taking into account an overall equation for conservation of energy cg ( Tf - Ts ) = Qg - Qc, m = [3 <g> g,s ( Tf - Ts ) / Qc]1/2 (25)
At very low pressure, 1 atm, when only the NO2 reaction probably takes place, the burning rate follows pressure according to, see Eq. (12), m p vb ~ ( <NO2> )1/2 ~ p1/2 exp( - ENO2 / 2 R Tfp ) (26)
a pressure exponent which is indeed observed, see Fig. 2. As the pressure increases the NO/carbon reaction takes on more importance and, referring to Eq. (19), m p vb ~ [ p exp( - ENO2 / R Tfp ) + ~ p exp( - ENO/C / R Tfp ) ]1/2, (27)
which, with the increase of the flame temperature with pressure, see Fig. 9, accounts for the pressure exponent of 0.7. At higher pressures, above about 150 atm for the 1100 cal/g propellant for example, a change in the pressure sensitivity, Fig. 2 is observed. This tends to indicate that the secondary flame, probably characterized by a second order, with respect to pressure, reaction for NO, comes into the primary flame and progressively dominates it, with a pressure exponent, according to Eq. (25), increasing to close to 1. Referring to Fig. 10, for the 1250 cal/g propellant, the temperature sensitivity is indicated: p = ( d lnvb / dTo ) at p given (28)
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RTO-EN-023
Figure 10: Temperature Sensitivity of a Double Base Propellant.
According to Eq. (27) the burning rate is under the influence (noting that the condensed phase energy balance also contains the effect of T0 see Eq. (14)) of a premixed flame heat flux and therefore very sensitive to changes in the primary flame temperature, in the pressure domain when the two flames are separated. From Eq. (21), any change in initial temperature will affect the primary flame temperature and therefore induce a change in burning rate. As the pressure rises the primary flame temperature increases (up to 1800 K) and then for higher pressures the burning rate comes under the influence of the final flame (with a temperature reaching 3110 K for the 1250 cal/g propellant). It is seen from Eq. (27) that a given change in T0 and therefore in Tf has a smaller impact on the burning rate for higher flame temperatures, that is for higher pressures, a tendency observed on Fig. 10.
5.0
Active Binders
Various types of active binders, based on nitrocellulose or an inert binder and nitroglycerin or less energetic liquid nitrates, can be used, see reference [10] for a complete description. The cross-linked double-base binders (XLDB) will be considered here, in which the polymer is cured with an isocyanate after mixing with NG.
Table 6: Values for a XLDB Binder
Composition: 2/3 NG, 1/3 polyethylene glycol. Heat of explosion: 850 cal/g. Tff = 2000 K. p = 1.42 g/cm3. cp = 0.46 cal/g K. p = 3.9 10-4 cal/cm s K. dp = 0.6 10-3 cm2/s YNO2,i = 0.421. Qd = - 150 cal/g
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Combustion of Solid Propellants Although the burning rates of the different active binders can be, for a given heat of explosion, somewhat different at low pressures [10], above 10 atm the differences become small , see Fig. 11. In the case of a double-base propellant and of a XLDB binder (that of the above table), with nearly the same heat of explosion, the burning rates for a large range of pressure are very close, Fig. 12.
Figure 11: Burning Rate vs Heat of Explosion. (Double Base Propellants and XLDB Binders)
Figure 12: Double Base Propellants and Active Binder Burning Rates.
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RTO-EN-023
Combustion of Solid Propellants Measurements for XLDB binders of the degradation kinetics, of the surface temperature, of the heat evolved in the condensed phase, as in Fig. 8, and of the primary flame temperature, Fig. 9, show that these characteristics are very close to those of DB propellants.
Table 7: Gases Evolved from the Surface, Mass Fractions. XLDB Binder [7]
NO2 0.31
CH2O 0.37
(CHO)2 0.08
NO 0.07
CO 0.03
CO2 0.04
H2O 0.02
HC 0.08
Gas analysis at the surface gives results which are qualitatively comparable to those of DB propellants, Fig. 5. It can then be stated that the combustion mechanisms of the various types of double-base propellants and of the active binders are very similar.
6.0
Mechanisms of Action of Additives
The incorporation of a few per-cents of lead (and copper) salts and carbon black enables to obtain superrate effects followed by mesa or plateau effects in the burning rate versus pressure laws of double-base propellants, Fig. 3, as well as of active binders, Fig. 12, although in the latter case these effects are much less pronounced. What is thought to be the mechanism of action of the additives has been presented in references [5,6] by the authors and in reference [12]. It has been found that the active part of the lead salt is the oxide of lead which accumulates above the propellant surface, after the salt has been trapped in the carbon residue layer which can be observed, immersed in the primary flame (the decomposition kinetics of the salt is slower than that of the propellant components and it thus emerges from the surface unchanged). If the propellant (when its heat of explosion increases) or the active binder naturally produces less carbon residue, then the lead salt particles are in large part ejected from the surface and cannot act. This is the case probably when the amount of nitrocellulose is reduced (hot double-base propellants) or almost absent (XLDB binders). In the latter case however the inert polymer leaves some carbonaceous residue. Addition of carbon black is probably favorable because it accumulates on the surface in the naturally produced carbon layer. It has been found by the authors that PbO reacts preferentially with aldehydes to form carbon and CO2. It has been observed systematically [6] that there is a relation between the amount of carbon residue and the importance of the super-rate observed (for example, depending on the fabrication process: solventless extrusion, powder casting, mixing). It was seen that the primary flame is due to an NO2-aldehyde reaction. But NO starts to react with carbon as well close to the surface, leading to the increase in primary flame temperature of Fig. 9. It is believed that the extra carbon produced in the presence of additives enhances the NO/C reaction (see ref. [12] for more results on this reaction), depositing extra energy in the primary flame (an increase in primary flame temperature is observed in the presence of additives [5]) and resulting in a higher heat flux to the surface, and thus a higher burning rate. Figure 13 shows surface structures of a cool propellant with a strong super-rate and a corresponding thick carbon residue. In this case, visualization shows that a physical effect occurs in which the secondary luminous flame attaches in streaks to the carbon layer and deposits its high temperature ( 2200 K as compared to the 1400 K of the primary flame) closer to the surface. The abrupt end of the super-rate,
RTO-EN-023 4 - 19
Combustion of Solid Propellants the mesa effect, is believed to be due to the too thick carbon residue being expelled from the surface. At the end of the mesa effect the surface is almost clean of carbon.
Figure 13: Super Rate Effects in Double Base Propellants.
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RTO-EN-023
Combustion of Solid Propellants In the case of hot propellants, Fig. 3, the super-rate is probably due only to the chemical effect of the enhanced NO/C reaction. As the pressure increases the secondary flame, where NO will react anyway, merges into the primary flame and progressively the modified propellant is caught up by the reference propellant, a plateau effect thus resulting. In the high pressure domain when the flame system has reduced to one overall flame, a second super-rate occurs (when only lead salt or oxide is added), see Fig. 13 for the cool propellant and Fig. 3 for a 1250 cal/g propellant. This effect seems to be purely physical, related to the presence of lead oxide particles accumulating and imbedding into the surface, Fig. 13, with for example an enhancement of the thermal conductivity of the flame zone or more probably a flame holding effect (the protruding particles perturb the flow from the surface). At higher pressures and burning rates the thickness of the condensed phase heated zone and reaction layer and flame zone becomes so small that the particles will not attach to the surface or will be too large to perturb the combustion process.
PYROLYSIS OF INERT BINDERS

A number of books and works has been devoted to the behavior of polymers, whether or not usable as binders, under thermal loads, references [13-17] are examples. Much work has been carried out with thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) or differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), with heating rates at most of the order of 1C/s. Under linear pyrolysis (for a binder within a solid propellant) the rate of temperature increase is of the order of 105 C/s. It is far from obvious a priori that the degradation kinetics will remain the same. In Ref. [8] it was attempted to establish that this is indeed the case for a number of polymers. Although it is hardly a propellant binder, Teflon is an interesting reference polymer. Its degradation kinetics (obtained by TGA) and thermal properties [8] ( p = 6.34 10-4 cal/cm K s, p = 2.1 g/cm3, cp = 0.25 cal/g K) are indicated on Fig. 14. In order to extrapolate these characteristics to the regime of linear pyrolysis (obtained experimentally by pressing the sample on a hot plate) the procedure of reference [8], also explained in the condensed phase paragraph of the double-base propellants chapter, is applied. In the case of a first order (with respect to the non degraded polymer) reaction, the relation between regression rate and surface temperature is (again, numerical computation shows this relation to be accurate to about 1 %) vr2 = ( dp / c) Ac exp( - c ) /[ ( - lnYp,s ) ( 1 - T0 / Ts - Qs / cp Ts ) + Qs / cp Ts ] c E c / R Ts In this relation Qs is the heat evolved in the condensed phase, in this case endothermic and equal to - 340 cal/g ( Yp,s mass fraction of the remaining polymer at the surface can be set at 0.01 ). It is seen on Fig. 14 that there is a good match between extrapolated law and measurements. These measurements are obtained under various atmospheres, showing no influence of this factor. The conclusion is then reached that the pyrolysis of such a polymer is an irreversible thermal mechanism. (1)
RTO-EN-023
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Figure 14: Linear Pyrolysis and Extrapolation of Thermogravimetric Results (Example of Teflon).
In the case of an actual, widely used, propellant binder such as hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) the same extrapolation can be made, Fig. 15 (the thermal properties used: p = 3.6 10-4 cal/cm K s, p = 0.92 g/cm3, cp = 0.39 cal/g K), and compared to the results of Ref. [15], obtained in a hybrid motor, gaseous oxygen upon HTPB, with the surface temperature being measured by infra-red pyrometry (with some dispersion). A measurement obtained by the authors with CO2 laser heating and IR pyrometer is also indicated. The agreement, considering the extent of the extrapolation, is very satisfactory. Further on, the pyrolysis law based on the TGA and DSC kinetics will be considered to apply.
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RTO-EN-023
Figure 15: Pyrolysis Law for HTPB.
Equation (1) and Fig. 15 indicate how the surface temperature adjusts itself to allow the polymer to degrade into gases when the regression rate changes. Further considerations to better know the binder behavior are the nature of the gases resulting from the pyrolysis and the corresponding heat of degradation. The heat of ablation of HTPB was measured in Ref. [16] by relating the mass ablated to the radiation heat flux received by a sample. For a regression rate of 0.4 mm/s (and from Fig. 15 Ts 1060 K) it is obtained: habl = cp ( Ts - T0 ) - Qs = 750 cal/g Qs = -450 cal/g It is found that this value is compatible with the production of mostly C4H6 as pyrolysis gas. Gas analysis at low temperature [13] reveals a complex set of gases ( 45 % in mass butadiene, ethylene, propene) resulting from the degradation of HTPB. If one evaluates the difference in heats of formation between the initial material and butadiene it is found:
h = h (C 4 H 6 ) - h (HTPB) = 496 cal/g - 5 cal/g 490 cal/g

close to the measured heat of degradation. At high heating rates butadiene is probably the major degradation gas.
COMBUSTION OF AMMONIUM PERCHLORATE

Ammonium perchlorate (AP), NH4 ClO4, is a widely used oxidizer and as such has been the object of numerous investigations. References [18 to 22] are a sampling, with [22] giving a detailed list. A view of
RTO-EN-023 4 - 23
Combustion of Solid Propellants the combustion of AP is presented herein attempting to make use as much as possible of the various experimental data available. Due to the large number of works on AP combustion, somewhat contradictory interpretations and corresponding models have been produced. A simplified model is presented, which is considered to represent reasonably the combustion mechanism of AP, although it will not be in agreement with all of the above mentioned interpretations.
1.0
Condensed Phase Behavior
The considerations presented previously for the condensed phase of a pyrolysing monopropellant apply to AP. The conduction zone has a thickness econd. = ( dp /vb ) ln102 (with the thermal diffusivity [21] dp 1.2 10-3 cm2/s at an average temperature in the heat wave), thus equal to 55 m, for a burning rate of 10 mm/s.
Table 8: Condensed Phase Values for AP [19,21]
cp = 0.31 cal/g K (orthorhombic phase < 513 K) = 0.365 cal/g K (cubic phase) p = 1.95 g/cm3 , dp = 2.5 10-3 - 4.55 10-6 T(C)cm2/s
Based on observations by scanning electron microscopy after extinction, the idea has been advanced that the self-deflagration of AP, possible only above 20 atm, requires that a large amount of exothermic reaction already takes place in the condensed phase in a thin liquid layer (above a melting temperature estimated at 835 K) [19,20,21,22].
2.0
Energetics of the AP Combustion
The model of Ref. [19] is subscribed to in order to describe the combustion of AP alone. The AP undergoes a phase transition at 513 K, melts around 830 K and, in the thin (a few microns) superficial liquid layer thus created, an exothermic reaction, affecting 70 % of the AP, takes place and creates the final combustion gases, O2 in particular. The remaining 30 % of the AP sublime into NH3 and HClO4 which react exothermically in a premixed flame very close to the surface (a few microns), Fig. 16.
Figure 16: Autonomous Combustion of Ammonium Perchlorate.
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RTO-EN-023
Combustion of Solid Propellants From the data collected in [19] the change of enthalpy per gram of AP required to heat up the AP to its surface temperature, TS,AP, is estimated as hH,AP = 0.31 ( 513 - 293 ) + 21 + 0.365 ( 835 - 513 ) + 60 + 0.328 ( TS,AP - 830 ), = 266 + 0.328 ( TS,AP - 835 ) cal/g (1)
where the heat of transition and the heat of liquefaction appear. The exothermic condensed phase degradation involves an enthalpy change of [19] hD,AP - 380 cal/gram of reacting AP. The heat of sublimation is 58 2 kcal/mole or h S,AP = 476 to 510 cal/gram of subliming AP. (3) (2)
The adiabatic flame temperature for the combustion of AP alone has been estimated in [18] to be Tf, APad = 1205 K, corresponding to the reaction NH4 ClO4 0.265 N2 + 0.12 N2O + 0.23 NO+ 1.62 H2O + 0.76 HCl + 0.12 Cl2 + 1.015 O2 (4)
The change of enthalpy, hC,AP, corresponding to the combustion of the sublimed NH3 and HClO4 (to give the combustion products of (4)) is obtained from the equation expressing the conservation of enthalpy between the unreacted AP at initial temperature and the combustion products downstream of the flame: 0.3 hC,AP + cg ( Tf,APad - TS,AP ) + 0.3 hS,AP + 0.7 hD,AP + hH,AP = 0 For cg 0.3, value taken in [19], it is found hC,AP = - 850 to - 885 cal/gram of reacting AP, (6) (5)
depending on the value adopted for the heat of sublimation, 476 or 510 cal/g, and independently of the value of TS,AP in the range found in [19]. It should be noticed that the value given here for the transformation of the AP into gases (that is NH3 and HClO4 for the subliming 30 % and the combustion gases of (4) for the 70 % reacting in the condensed phase), namely - Qs = 0.3 ( 476 to 510 ) + 0.7 ( - 380 ) = - 123 to - 113 cal/g of AP, (7)
is also found in [20], where a model for the combustion of AP similar to that of [19] is adopted. The heat evolved in the condensed phase Qs ( > 0 if exothermic) will be set equal to 120 cal/g. One last check of consistency can be performed: with the enthalpy of formation of AP at h0AP = - 602 cal/g and that of the combustion products of (4) h0CP = - 877 cal/g, an overall energy balance between initial AP and combustion products is: cg Tf,APad + h0CP = cortho T0 + h0AP resulting in Tf,AP ad = 1215 K, close enough to the previous value. (8)
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3.0
Surface Pyrolysis of AP
Attempts to measure the surface temperature give values between 670 and 973 K. These results, obtained either by using thermocouples imbedded in the AP pellet, or by measuring the radiation emitted by the surface, are always associated with some uncertainty due to the operating methods. In effect, the large size of the thermocouples, in relation to the temperature gradients encountered, favors errors; further, the measurement represents an averaging of surrounding conditions. The temperatures thus obtained are therefore probably somewhat lower than in reality. In the case of experiments using an optical technique, the temperature is deduced from measuring the radiation emitted by the surface and transmitted through the gaseous layer. The disturbance caused by the radiation of the gases and the screening action of the flame limits the application of this method to 60 atm. That is why the original technique suggested by Seleznev [23], carried out by using a sapphire light guide inserted in the solid substance and by reading the infra-red emission in the direction of the condensed phase, has the considerable advantage of providing a direct measurement of the radiation emitted by the surface, without any hot gases and the reaction of the flame being interposed. Its application can therefore be extended to high pressures and the measurements appear to be more convincing. These results enable to determine the AP pyrolysis law. Further, estimates of the AP melting temperature are mentioned by a number of authors; the values suggested vary from 715 to 865 20 K and are useful in interpreting the extinction phenomenon at low pressure. The pyrolysis law of the AP is written as: mAP = AP vb,AP = AS,AP exp( - ES,AP / R TS,AP ) (9)
The parameters characterizing the pyrolysis law are determined so as to obtain a good agreement between the rates and the surface temperatures measured by Seleznev [23] (Fig. 17). The activation energy obtained is 20 kcal/mole, a figure compatible with the various estimates encountered. The measurement of the surface temperature made at 40 atm is the only one which deviates from that computed by the pyrolysis law used. On the other hand, for the critical rate of 0.27 cm/s obtained at 20 atm (AP combustion pressure limit), this law allows for a surface temperature of 830 K, corresponding to the assumed AP melting temperature [19].
Figure 17: Pyrolysis Law for Ammonium Perchlorate.
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RTO-EN-023
4.0
Flame Structure of the AP Combustion
The approach of [19] considers 14 different reactions to describe the flame zone of the AP, involving 30 % of the material sublimed into NH3 and HClO4. An overall second order reaction is then obtained NH3 + HClO4 products of Eq. (4) with an activation energy of Eg,AP = 15 kcal/mole. A simplified model is constructed like the one used in the chapter on the double base flame. The temperature profile is approximated as ( Tf,APad - T ) / ( Tf,APad - TS,AP ) = exp( - 3 x / xf ) with the boundary condition qs g.s dT / dx|s = mAP Qc Qc = hH,AP - Qs Qc is the heat required to bring the AP from T0 to gases at the surface, see Eqs. (1) and (7). Combining (10) and (11) results in mAP = 3 g,s ( Tf,APad - TS,AP ) / xf Qc (12) (11) (10)
Summation of the energy equation from Ts,AP, x = o, to xf yields, after using Eqs. (11) and (12) and Eq. (5) written as Qg + cg ( Tf,APad - TS,AP ) + Qc = 0 mAP = [ 3 <g> g,s ( Tf,APad - TS,AP ) / Qc ]1/2 In this equation the average reaction rate is written as 3 <g> = p2 Ag,AP exp( - Eg,AP / R Tf,APad ) (14) (13)
expressing a second order overall rate. The burning rate is then found to follow pressure with an exponent close to 1. Table 9 indicates various values for AP combustion.
Table 9: Values Considered as Representative for the AP Flame Zone
AP ES,AP AS,AP Eg,AP Ag,AP cg g
= 1.95 g/cm3 = 20 kcal/mole = 96000 g/cm2 s = 15 kcal/mole = 700 g/cm3 s atm2 = 30 % = 0.3 cal/g K = 1.9 10-4 cal/cm s K
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Combustion of Solid Propellants Taking into account the various values given, it is obtained for vb = 10 mm/s ( TS,AP 925 K ) the flame stand-off distance, Eq. (12), ( Qc = 175 cal/g ), xf 5 m, the height to reach Tf within 5 %. The only input data which is not defined from outside considerations is the pre-exponential factor Ag,AP used as a floating parameter for the model. Various numerical values associated with the input parameters of the model are brought together in the above table. Just by the choice of the prefactor Ag,AP adjusted at 700 g/cm3 s atm2, the model satisfactorily reproduces variations in the AP burning rate due to pressure as well as due to the change in the initial temperature of the product. Figure 18 provides a comparison of computed rate curves with experimental points [21].
Figure 18: Burning Rate of Ammonium Perchlorate at Different Initial Temperatures.
At sufficiently high pressures, the energy transmitted from the flame toward the surface, to which must be added the effect of the superficial exothermic reactions, maintains the surface temperature above the AP melting point. When the pressure falls, the premixed flame moves away and the surface temperature can then drop below the limiting value, thus causing the disappearance of the liquid surface layer which was enabling the exothermic reactions to occur. The energy from the flame is then much too small to maintain a pyrolysis which has become strongly endothermic and AP no longer burns. This minimum pressure, beyond which the combustion cannot propagate itself, sets the pressure limit for AP self-degradation. On the basis of this hypothesis, the combustion pressure limit is reached when the surface temperature is equal to the AP melting temperature. It is interesting to use the model in order to follow the variation of the computed limiting pressure with the initial temperature. At atmospheric temperature, the combustion limit is 20 atm, in agreement with experimental results. The critical rate of 0.27 cm/s and the surface temperature of 830 K, representing the AP melting temperature, corresponds to it. The computation method consists, for the initial temperature varying between 0 and 200C, in finding for what pressure the surface temperature is equal to 830 K. A comparison between the computed and experimental pressure limits is very good, Fig. 19, and confirms the soundness of the hypothesis following which AP only burns if the surface temperature exceeds its melting temperature.
4 - 28 RTO-EN-023
Figure 19: Limiting Pressure for Combustion of Ammonium Perchlorate.
One further set of results is presented. Questions have been raised about the combustion of AP at high pressures, above about 100 atm, with many conflicting results. Measurements of burning rates on carefully inhibited samples are presented on Fig. 20. It is concluded that no strong change of combustion regime is observed. The model based on the above presented hypothesis seem to follow quite well the results to high pressures.
Figure 20: Burning Rate of Ammonium Perchlorate at High Pressures.
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COMBUSTION OF HMX
The combustion of HMX, which has balanced oxidizing and combustible elements (to reach CO, H2O and N2) and a combustion temperature of 3280 K, is controlled by processes in the condensed phase as well as in the flame zone. Information about these processes is to be found in references [24 to 31] (also [21]).
Figure 21: Chemical Structure of HMX.
1.0
Condensed Phase Processes
The kinetics of the decomposition of HMX can be obtained by differential thermal analysis [24,29]. A fairly extensive review is given in Ref. [25]. Results obtained around the (assumed) melting temperature of 556 K are indicated on Fig. 22, with the kinetics extracted for a reaction order of 1 (refer to [29] for the method utilized). The condensed phase properties considered to be representative are indicated below.
Figure 22: Differential Thermal Analysis of HMX Decomposition.
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RTO-EN-023

Table 10: Condensed Phase Properties (Average in the Thermal Wave) for HMX [31]
p = 1.9 g/cm3, cp = 0.33 cal/g K dp / p / p cp = 1 10-3 cm2/s (also found from thermocouple traverses) p = 6.3 10-4 cal/cm s K
Another technique to obtain the decomposition kinetics, at somewhat higher temperatures, is through ignition tests, by exposing the sample to a given surface heat flux and detecting the delay for the first exothermic ignition reaction (rapid deviation of the surface temperature from that of an inert material). The results are seen on Fig. 23 and confirm those obtained by DTA (the first method gives a good estimate of the activation energy, whereas the ignition experiments are better for estimating the prefactor). All these results correspond to an irreversible thermal decomposition of the HMX bonds with no influence of the pressure.
Figure 23: Ignition of HMX.
Finally, the investigation of the condensed phase processes under combustion is carried out by determining the temperature profile through the combustion wave by use of micro-thermocouples. As was seen on several occasions the thermal wave thickness is: econd. = ln102 dp / vb (1)
that is, in the case of Fig. 24, econd. 220 m. The thermocouple junction has to be very small, in the present case 5 m platinum wires are welded end to end by electric discharge with the junction at about this size. A measurement of the thermal diffusivity is also obtained, close to that indicated in Table 10.
RTO-EN-023
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Combustion of Solid Propellants The relationship between the surface temperature (obtained from measurements such as that of Fig. 24) and the burning rate is displayed on Fig. 25. Scatter of the measurements is hard to avoid (about 50 K). Also indicated are thermocouple results from reference [28]. The pyrolysis law is also established from the decomposition kinetics obtained by DTA and by ignition experiments, making use of the approach mentioned for double-base propellants as well as for inert binders, according to which [8], for a first order reaction, vb2 = ( dp / c ) Ac exp( - c ) / [( - lnYp,s ) ( 1 - T0 / Ts - Qs / cp Ts ) + Qs / cp Ts ] (2)
c Ec / R Ts and Qs is the heat evolved in the superficial reaction layer of the HMX; its value will be seen next. The amount of HMX at the surface Yp,s is set at 0.01. It is seen that there is continuity between the decomposition (thermal breaking of the chemical bonds, with probably no participation of the vaporization of the HMX) under DTA conditions, 550 K, for ignition, from 600 to 700 K, and under combustion, up to 900 K. This conclusion on such a continuity, which is not a priori guaranteed, was also reached for double-base propellants (as well as for various binders).
Figure 24: Temperature Profile, Under Combustion, in HMX by Thermocouple.
Figure 25: Pyrolysis Law for HMX.
From the temperature profiles, as on Fig. 24, the heat evolved in the condensed phase can be evaluated by use of the relation: g dT / dx|s = p vb [ cg Ts - cp To - Qs ] (3)
with Qs > 0 if exothermic. The results of Fig. 26 show that indeed the transformation of HMX into gases is exothermic. The energy absorbed by the breaking of the HMX bonds is more than compensated by exothermic reactions taking place in the superficial degradation layer, probably between NO2 and HCHO (see further for the identification of these gases). This mechanism was already observed for double-base propellants.
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RTO-EN-023
Figure 26: Heat Evolved in the Condensed Phase of HMX.
Experiments have been performed [7] by maintaining the linear regression (at about 1 mm/s) of HMX samples with an external heat flux (radiation or contact with a heated plate), under vacuum so as to avoid any gas flame. The sampled gases are then analyzed by mass spectrometry. The following table indicates the results.
Table 11: Gases Evolved from the Surface of HMX (Mass Fractions [7])
NO2 22.2
NO 17.5 59 %
N2O 19.1
N2 3
CO2 1.4
CO 1.6
H2O 3.7
H2 0.1
HCHO 14.1 31 %
HCN 16.8
10 %
It is seen that the initial degradation produces probably NO2 and N2O in similar amounts and HCHO and HCN. See also for such conclusions reference [32]. Exothermic reactions involving NO2 occur in the superficial degradation layer to give a large amount of NO. Results in rough agreement with those of the above table have also been obtained in Ref. [33] with an infra-red analysis technique.
2.0
Gas Phase Behavior
The production from the condensed phase of HMX of several oxidizing gases, NO2, N2O and NO, can create a two-stage flame. This was seen to be the case for double-base propellants for which NO2 and NO are created in the condensed phase: the primary flame involves NO2 and the secondary flame NO; above 200 atm the two flames merge into one. In the case of HMX, observation at pressures around 1 atm reveals the existence of a dark induction zone and a detached luminous flame, similar to those of double-base propellants. Also the micro-thermocouple traverses below about 10 atm, such as in Fig. 24, show a plateau in the temperature profile at about 2000 K, much below the final temperature of 3280 K. The burning rate of HMX, as single crystals or as pressed samples, obtained in Ref. [25] is shown on Fig. 27. The evolution of this burning rate with pressure shows that around 20 atm a pressure exponent of
RTO-EN-023
4 - 33
Combustion of Solid Propellants about 1 is attained, revealing that the staged flame has collapsed into one (as in the case of double-base propellants above about 200 atm).
Figure 27: Burning Rate of HMX.
It was seen in the chapter on double-base propellants that in the case of a distributed flame an approximation for the temperature profile is: ( Tf - T ) / ( Tf - Ts ) = exp( - 3 x / xf ) , xf = 3 g,s ( Tf - Ts ) / m Qc , Qc = cg Ts - cp T0 - Qs (4)
(at vb = 10 mm/s this will give xf = 48 m, the height to reach Tf within 5 %) and the burning rate becomes: m = p vb = [ 3 <g> g,s ( Tf - Ts )/ Qc ]1/2 (5)
With <g > the summed reaction rate through the flame zone. More complete descriptions of the flame zone can be found in references [29,30], the conclusions of which are essentially those which can be extracted from the above simplified approach.
Table 12: Values Considered to be Representative of the Gas Phase of HMX
cg = 0.35 cal/g K, g = 1.25 10-4 ( T / 700 )0.7 cal/cm s K
At low pressures the primary flame, involving NO2 in a first order reaction, controls the burning rate, with, according to Eq. (5), a pressure exponent around 0.5. At higher pressures the collapsed flame is probably dominated by a second order reaction involving NO and N2O, with a pressure exponent close to 1.
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RTO-EN-023
COMBUSTION OF RDX
RDX has a structure similar to that of HMX. The present authors have not considered this component very much, as opposed to HMX. The information comes mostly from the work of Ref. [34].
Figure 28: Chemical Structure of RDX.
It has been seen that HMX has a behavior somewhat similar to that of a DB propellant, due to the fact that it creates gases which can produce primary and secondary flames, see Table 11. In this case, a very simplified model, based on overall kinetics, shows that the secondary flame dominates the burning rate as soon as 20 to 30 atm (for DB propellants this occurs above 100 atm), in such a way that there is no possibility of creating a super-rate effect (and the accompanying plateau). A much more elaborate model, see Fig. 30, has been presented by Yang et al [34] for RDX. This model takes into account the two condensed phase decomposition paths suggested by Brill, but also incorporates a large amount of evaporation of the RDX (it has to be noted that in the case of HMX, referring to Figs. 22 to 25, the conclusion is reached that the condensed phase process under combustion corresponds to complete decomposition, as observed under DSC-DTA conditions, and thus with no contribution of evaporation). In the melt layer of the RDX (melting temperature supposed at about 470 K) the products of the first decomposition start reacting, much as was seen for double base propellants and for HMX, this being manifested by the gas composition obtained at the surface, see Fig. 30. At the surface, with a temperature depicted on Fig. 29, an important void fraction is computed, corresponding to the amount of RDX which has decomposed in the condensed phase.
Figure 29: Conditions at the Surface of RDX [34]. RTO-EN-023 4 - 35
Figure 30: Modeling of RDX Combustion [34].
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COMBUSTION OF CL20 (HNIW)

A new caged nitramine called either CL20 or HNIW (hexaaza hexanitro isowurtzitane) has appeared in the last few years (1987). Because of its high energy content it is envisioned that when combined to an energetic binder, as compared to HMX or RDX compositions, it will be better performing in terms of impulsion and level of burning rate, with smokeless properties maintained and similar safety behavior, Ref. [35].
Figure 31: Chemical Structure of HNIW.
Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TG) contribute to the thermal knowledge of the components to get specific heat, degradation steps and kinetic constants of the material. Helium pycnometry and a thermal diffusivity set-up, at ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure, give the other physical properties. Table 13 brings together the results obtained by these methods. See Ref. [36] for full details.
Table 13: Thermal and Physical Properties of HNIW
Properties Specific heat Specific mass (density) Thermal diffusivity Thermal conductivity Activation energy Frequency factor *n is the reaction order.
Symbols cp dth =*cp*dth EA k0 or A
SI units [J.kg-1K-1] [kg.m ] [m .s ] [J.m-1K-1s-1] [J.mole ] [s ]

-1 -1 2 -1 -3
HNIW 1004 ( 13 %) 1980 ( 1 %) 0.457*10-7 ( 6 %) 0.068 224000 ( 4.5 %) If n*=1 5*10+19
The gases evolved from the condensed phase are obtained, as was done for the double base propellants and HMX, with the linear pyrolysis technique under vacuum so as to avoid the gas flame, the regression rate is about 0.5 mm/s.
Figure 32: Set-Up for the Linear Pyrolysis.
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Combustion of Solid Propellants Table 14 shows the results. NO2 and NO are present in large amount, as for HMX, N2O is in much smaller amount. This gas composition should lead in principle to a staged flame, but due to the high temperature reached at the end of the primary flame, which involves a high mass fraction of NO2, it is likely that the two flames will collapse into one even faster than for HMX.
Table 14: Molar and Mass Fractions of the Products from HNIW Linear Pyrolysis
Species Molar fraction Mass fraction Mass fraction Gas +Res. NO2 0.61 0.71 CO2 0.017 0.018 N2O 0.024 0.027 HNCO 0.010 0.011 HCHO 0.017 0.013 NO 0.142 0.107 HCN 0.046 0.031 H2O 0.049 0.022 CO 0.044 0.031 N2 0.029 0.020 Solid residue 1 Solid residue 2
0.59
0.015
0.023
0.009
0.0109
0.0899
0.026
0.0185
0.0259
0.017
0.11
0.05
Figure 33 gives burning rate measurements for HNIW, on a strand burner, but it has been now given up in favor of a closed autopressurizable bomb with an ultrasonic measurement technique. This has the advantage of giving the evolution of the burning rate versus pressure with a very low number of experiments, by excursion of a pressure shift during the experiment. Results on ADN, ammonium dinitramide, NH4-N-(NO2)2, another new oxidizer of interest, is also indicated. These results are in good agreement with most of the literature.
Figure 33: Burning Rate of HNIW (and ADN).
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RTO-EN-023
Combustion of Solid Propellants Small thermocouples imbedded in the burning sample allow to measure the temperature profile, Fig. 34, the surface temperature, in the vicinity of 800 K, Fig. 36, and from the heat balance at the surface an evaluation of the heat evolved in the condensed phase is obtained, Fig. 35, it is exothermic around 400 kJ / kg, about 100 cal/g similar to the value observed for HMX.
Figure 34: Temperature Profile in Burning HNIW.
Figure 35: Energy Released in the Condensed Phase of HNIW, J / kg.
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4 - 39
Figure 36: Surface Temperature of HNIW.
Figure 37 compares measured surface temperatures and the correlation obtained from the extrapolation (according to the method exposed for HMX) of the condensed phase decomposition kinetics. Taking into account a large uncertainty related to the size of the thermocouple, the agreement is appropriate and found to mean that the decomposition of the HNIW into gases is a purely thermal phenomenon, as measured by DSC, not affected by pressure and with no evaporation entering in the process.
Figure 37: Surface Temperature vs Regression Rate Correlation.
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COMBUSTION OF COMPOSITE PROPELLANTS

This chapter is devoted to the description of propellants made of an oxidizer, ammonium perchlorate or HMX, RDX, HNIW, and a binder, inert such as polybutadiene or active, a mixture of a liquid nitrate and a polymer. For the sake of clarity only these two categories will be considered, the main point being, as was said in the introduction, to attempt to improve the understanding of the combustion of propellants rather than to present an extensive catalog of results.
1.0
Comparative Picture of Composite Propellants Combustion
Drawing from the results presented previously for the various components, the comparative picture of AP-inert binder and HMX or another nitramine -active binder is found on Fig. 38.
Figure 38: Comparative Picture of AP-Inert Binder and HMX-Active Binder.
RTO-EN-023
4 - 41
Combustion of Solid Propellants The combustion of AP results in a premixed flame at about 5 m from the surface at 1300 K or higher. From this flame 1 mole of O2 comes out for each initial AP mole. From the binder surface at nearly the same temperature, combustible gases are ejected, which, after diffusion, react with O2. As will be seen further on, the diffusion flame height is directly related to the AP particle size. The smaller the particle size the closer is the flame and the higher the heat flux to the surface and therefore the burning rate of the propellant. The pyrolysis of the inert binder is purely endothermic (heat required to bring the temperature to 1300 K and heat to decompose it into gases). In the case of particles of a few tens of m, the burning of the AP being close to adiabatic (its flame receives some heat flux from the final flame, but computation results show that there is only a moderate deviation from adiabatic conditions), the heat flux from the final flame serves primarily to keep the binder regressing. The combustion of HMX or another nitramine is also through a premixed flame, about 50 m from the surface, reaching the final stage of 3280 K (for HMX). The gases emitted from this flame cannot sustain any further combustion. The active binder goes through its own combustion, with a primary flame reaching 1550 K some 50 m from the surface. The final flame somewhat further away reaches about 2000K. There is no direct interaction between the two components of the propellant. The burning of the propellant is then an average of the individual burning rates. There exist however an indirect interaction of the active binder on the HMX particles. As was seen, the thermal properties of HMX and the active binder are close and the HMX particles are immersed in the temperature profile of the binder. Upon reaching the surface the top of the particle is at about 700 K, the surface temperature of the binder. This so happens to be very much the temperature for first ignition of HMX (see Fig. 23). There will be however a transition delay of the HMX particle to full combustion for which its surface temperature is about 900 K. This will be dealt with in more details further on. In the case of AP, the ignition temperature is around 650 K and the surface temperature for full combustion is around 900 to 1000 K. Immersed in the inert binder with a surface temperature of 1300 K, the AP should reach combustion as soon as it is uncovered with no transition delay.
2.0
Propellant Burning Rate Resulting from Component Rates
Various approaches have been presented in the literature to build the propellant burning rate from the components own burning rates. One of the first comprehensive models for composite propellant combustion modeling, Ref. [37], had a picture of AP and binder burning in parallel with a partitioning of the surface between the two ingredients and a surface averaged propellant burning rate. This view is also found in Refs. [38,39], with Ref. [40] being a complete review for AP-inert binder propellants, including references preceding the work of [37]. A view of a sequential burning mechanism, in which a given path goes through oxidizer particles separated by layers of binder, Fig. 39, with as a consequence a time averaged propellant burning rate, was first presented in Ref. [42].
Figure 39: Time Averaged Propellant Combustion.
This viewpoint is subscribed to in the present work, as was done in Ref. [43], although the details have since then evolved into the option presented herein (which seems to be coherent with the latest view of
4 - 42 RTO-EN-023
Combustion of Solid Propellants M. Beckstead [45]. Averaging of the components' burning rates, HMX and active binder, in Ref. [41] into the propellant burning rate is obtained by assuming that the components melt and mix at the surface and then form an average premixed gas flame. Due to the very small thickness of the melt (to the extent that melting occurs) layers (of the order of m) and very short residence times in these layers (tenths of ms), it is believed that such premixing of the components should not take place. This is also the conclusion of [45]. Finally, in the recent work of Ref. [44], a surface average is operated for AP-binder interactions whereas a time average HMX-binder approach is adopted within the same mixed oxidizers propellant. In a randomly packed arrangement of oxidizer spheres of diameter Dox, with the average height through the sphere from a given direction (perpendicular to the surface) hox, and for a volume of 1 cm2 on the surface by 1 cm in depth, the number of particles intercepted along 1 cm of length being N, one has: Nhox 1 cm2 / Nhb 1 cm2 = ox / ( 1 - ox ) (1)
with hb the average binder height between particles and ox the volume fraction loading in oxidizer. Then it comes: hb = hox ( 1 - ox ) / ox and due to N ( hox + hb ) = 1 cm, N = ox / hox For a propellant burning rate vb,p, the time to run through 1 cm of depth is t = 1 / vb,p = tox + tb = N hox / vb,ox + N tox + N hb / vb,b (4) (3) (2)
tox being the (possible) transition delay to full combustion after the top of the oxidizer particle has reached the surface. Then the propellant burning rate, as expressed with the component burning rates, is, with Eq. (3) taken into account, 1 / vb,p = ox / vb,ox + ox tox / hox + ( 1 - ox ) / vb,b (5)
Consideration of a sphere being traversed randomly along a given direction leads after some computation to hox = Dox ( / 4 )2. In the case of AP- inert binder propellants with no transition delay, the propellant burning rate is 1 / vb,p = ox / vb,AP + ( 1 - ox ) / vb,b The relation ship between volume fraction loading and mass fraction loading being i = i i / p i = 1 , 1 / p = ox / AP + ( 1 - ox ) / b that is for example for an 88 % AP - 12 % PB binder p = 1.72 g/cm3. The mass burning rate of the propellant is mp = p vb,p (7) (8) (6)
RTO-EN-023
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Combustion of Solid Propellants and Eq. (6) yields 1 / mp = ox / mAP + ( 1 - ox ) / mb (9)
In the case of a propellant loaded with aluminum, it is known that the aluminum particles are ejected from the surface [46,47] (Ref. [47] being an extensive review of the processes of aluminum combustion) and burn at several hundreds of m from the surface. The view of the combustion of aluminum is summarized here, see Figs. 40,41,42.
Figure 40: Visualization of Aluminum Behavior (From Ref. [47]).
Figure 41: Aluminum Combustion. 4 - 44 RTO-EN-023
Figure 42: Behavior of Aluminum (18 %) in a Composite Propellant.
Aluminum melts at 930 K (inert binder reaches about 1300 K) (active binder reaches about 700 K) and individual particles aggregate in part into clusters. Sketches of selected frames of high speed motion pictures, Fig. 40, illustrate a protracted (because the protective Al2O3 coating melts at 2300 K) ignition-agglomeration event in which the hottest portion of the accumulate inflames and precipitates the complete inflammation-agglomeration of the (already hot) accumulate. The Al2O3 protective coating collapses into cap, exposing the Al globule (typically 100 m). Aluminum vaporizes at 3300 K and reacts in nearly-spherical flame with CO2 and H2O from AP-binder flame. The caps give Al2O3 particles of a few tens m, the spherical flames give Al2O3 smoke of 1m. Not all aluminum particles go into accumulates (packs of original particles sticking together) from pockets within large AP particles. About 2/3 of the original particles escape individually from the surface, giving as combustion product essentially 1 m smoke [48].
The volume fractions being ox , b , al Eq. (8) becomes 1 / p = ox / ox + b / b + al / al

RTO-EN-023
(10)
4 - 45
Combustion of Solid Propellants that is, for example, for a 70 % AP, 20 % aluminum (al = 2.7 g/cm3), 10 % PB binder (b = 0.92/cm3), p = 1.84 g/cm3. With respect to the burning rate of the propellant loaded with aluminum it is obtained: 1 / vb,p = ox / vb,ox + Nal hal / vb,al + Nal tal + b / vb,b (11)
The burning rate of aluminum can be considered as infinite since it is ejected from the surface, whereas its transition delay is the time for the binder to regress through the particle height: tal = hal / vb,b Also, for each component N h = its volume fraction loading. The propellant burning rate becomes 1 / vb,p = ox / vb,ox + b / vb,b + al /vb,b = ox / vb,ox + ( 1 - ox ) / vb,b (12)
that is the relation which would be obtained for a corresponding propellant with no aluminum, with the binder filling in for it. From an energetics point of view the modeling of the combustion of aluminized propellants should include at the surface the heat of fusion of aluminum 95 cal/g of Al. One can see Ref. [49] for such an approach.
3.0
HMX (or RDX) (or HNIW) Active Binder Propellants
Both HMX and the active binder have independent burning rates. The resulting propellant burning rate is given by Eq. (5), where the transition delay has to be evaluated. The emerging HMX particle offers to the external heat flux the surface area of the sphere cap which has been exposed by the binder regressing at vb,b after the time t from first appearance has evolved: S = Dox ( vb,b t ) With being the part of the sphere which is heated by the superficial flux , the temperature rise is ( p cp )ox dT / dt ( 4 / 3 ) ( Dox / 2 )3 = Dox vb,b t (13)
The heat flux received is that of the binder flame when the particle first emerges and it transitions to that of the HMX flame when the particle has reached full combustion, a transition formula being assumed to be = b+ [ ( Ts(t) - Ts,b ) / ( Ts,ox - Ts,b ) ] ( ox - b ) with ox,b = p vb ( cg Ts - cp To - Qs )|ox,b The fraction of the sphere heated by the flux is taken to be, with K finally adjusted at 0.1, = exp( - K Dox / ep* ) ep* is the thermal wave thickness for which the temperature is at 90 % of its surface value, that is, sufficiently close to it,
4 - 46 RTO-EN-023
Combustion of Solid Propellants ( T - To )/( Ts - To ) = 0.9 = exp( - ep* vb,b / dp ) (14)
When Dox / ep* 0 the particle is vanishingly small with respect to the thickness of the layer at about the surface temperature, 1 and the particle is heated in its entirety by the heat flux. If Dox /ep* the particle is very large compared to the surface layer, 0, it is heated on a vanishingly small part. When Dox = ep* , = 0,9, the particle is immersed in the binder layer at T Ts,b and it is almost totally heated by the external flux. The transition delay from Eq. (13) is then tox2 = ( p cp )ox ( Dox2 / 3 vb,b ) [ ( Ts,ox - Ts,b ) ] / ( ox -b )] ln( ox / b ) (15)
One noteworthy feature of this relation is that the transition delay is proportional to the particle size Dox, in such a way that inserted in Eq. (5) it renders the burning rate insensitive to Dox, a fact which is observed experimentally for HMX-energetic binder propellants [43]. Figures 43 and 44 show two examples of propellant burning rate laws with the corresponding component rates. It is seen that the propellant burning rate is intermediate between those of HMX and of the binder (its being close to that of the binder at pressures under 100 atm is coincidental).
Figure 43: Experimental and Computed Burning Rate of a Nitramine Based Propellant.
RTO-EN-023
4 - 47
Figure 44: Experimental and Computed Burning Rate of a Nitramine Based Propellant.
The model presented above, and, what is important, the mechanisms it takes into account (that is the absence of diffusional interaction between the components and the importance of a transition delay for the HMX particles), is quite representative of the experimental results. Some of the details of the making of the burning rate are given in Table 15.
Table 15: Elements for the Evaluation of the Burning Rate (70 % HMX 30 % Active Binder)
PRESSURE vb,b Ts,b vb,ox Ts,ox % of burning time due to delay vb,p
20 atm 2,4 mm/s 622K 4,5 mm/s 828K 32 % 2,3 mm/s
100 atm 7,1 667 17 907 16 % 9,4
250 atm 14,5 698 37,5 962 4% 22,7
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RTO-EN-023
Combustion of Solid Propellants It is seen that at low pressures the transition delay has a strong impact and the burning rate of the propellant happens to fall close to that of the binder. At high pressure the propellant burning rate is nearly the time average of the component rates (without delay the average at 250 atm is 24 mm/s). It is observed that, for a given HMX-energetic binder composition, the burning rate law is locked and that there is no way to tailor it (as can be done in AP-inert binder compositions by acting upon the particle size). Furthermore the pressure exponent is too high to be acceptable for the motor operation. Attempts to act upon the HMX burning rate by the use of additives have not been successful. One possibility of action however is with additives specific to double-base propellants, lead and copper salts and carbon black, incorporated in the active binder. It has been found on Fig. 12 that a moderate super rate effect can be obtained. It is seen on Fig. 45 that such a modified binder associated with HMX, and after optimization of the amount and of the size of the additives, yields a burning rate law with moderate pressure exponent and initial temperature sensitivity.
Figure 45: HMX Active Binder Propellant with Additives.
Propellants based on the new oxidizer HNIW and binders made from GAP (glycidyl azide polymer) have been considered. GAP has been studied in Refs. [50,51] with the techniques employed for the double base propellants, in particular its surface temperature under combustion is similar, around 800 K. In the actual binder GAP is associated to a liquid nitrate ester, see Ref. [35], the behavior of which is very close to a cool active binder. The modelization has been applied to these propellants (in particular assuming no interaction, other than the transition delay for the full burning of the oxidizer), it can be seen to give a proper account of the resulting burning rate, Fig. 46. As opposed to HMX or RDX which are balanced to give CO, H2O and N2, HNIW is over oxygenated to give C6H6N12O12 6 CO + 3 H2O + 6 N2 + 3 / 2 O2
RTO-EN-023 4 - 49
Figure 46: HNIW (60 %) Binder GAP + Nitrate Ester.
A possible recombustion with the gases from the flame of the active binder could be conceivable, this implying an influence of the oxidizer particle size and a possibility of regulating the burning rate as in AP composite propellants. The modelization does not confirm this possibility. Comparing propellants with different particle sizes would clarify this point.
4.0
AP-Inert Binder Propellants
The burning rate of a propellant based on AP and an inert binder such as HTPB is thought to be described by the averaging rule of Eq. (9) from the burning rates of the components. In this case the binder has of course no autonomous burning rate. Its regression rate is due to the heat flux from the diffusion flame, as depicted on Fig. 38, between O2 from the AP flame and the hydrocarbons from the pyrolysis of the binder. A description of such a flame is given here. A column of O2 containing gases is ejected from a particle with an efficient diameter Dox* proportional to Dox at a velocity vg, such that mp = g vg. This column is consumed by a lateral diffusion characterized by a diffusion velocity vdiff = Ad / ( D / 2 ) (16)
D being the local diameter of the column, Ad some constant of order 1 and the diffusion coefficient in cm2/s. The variation of the column diameter is then given by dD = - 2 vdiff dt , dx = vg dt D dD = - 4 Ad dx / vg
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RTO-EN-023
Combustion of Solid Propellants Resulting in Dox*2 = 8 Ad xfd / vg, xfd = Dox*2 mp / 8 Ad In this relation Dox* is the average diameter of a sphere cut randomly by a plane (17)
D ox = 2 D ox / 6
When the lateral diffusion of O2 and hydrocarbon gases into each others is purely laminar the diffusion coefficient is expressed as: = 0 T / p , = 0 T - 1 M / R (with the equation for perfect gases p / = R T / M being used) and the flame stand-off distance xfd = Dox*2 mp ( R / M ) / 8 Ad 0 T - 1 does not depend explicitly upon the pressure. In this limiting case and due to the fact that m p ~ 1 / xf , it is obtained mp ~ 1 / Dox independent of the pressure level and directly dependent on the particle size. As will be seen later, it has been found that the diffusion flame process might become turbulent at high pressures when large differences exist between the mass flow rates emitted from the AP and from the binder. This conclusion is also mentioned in reference [40]. A general expression for a turbulent transport coefficient is ~ u' l with u' the magnitude of the fluctuating gas velocity and l its scale. It is then assumed l ~ Dox / 2 , u' ~ ( mox - mb ) that is the turbulent enhancement is related to the difference between the mass flow rates within the O2 containing column and in the surrounding gases. Then Eq. (17) becomes xfd = Dox*2 mp / 8 Ad ( )eff ( )eff = 0 T - 1 M / R + K ( Dox / 2 ) ( mox - mb ) where K should be of the order of 0.1. An extra flame thickness related to the chemical time for the completion of the O2-hydrocarbons reaction should be taken into account. It is obtained xfr (~ v g ch ~ m ch / ~ m/) = mp / Ar p2 Ag,f exp ( - Eg,f / R Tf ) the characteristics being related to the final O2 - hydrocarbons flame.
RTO-EN-023 4 - 51
(18)
(19) (20)
(21)
Combustion of Solid Propellants The stages of the combustion of an AP propellant are shown on Fig. 47, which is to be seen side by side with Fig. 38 for the corresponding values. The temperature profiles are approximated as ( Tf - T ) / ( Tf - Ts ) = exp( - 3 x / xf ) with qs = 3 g.s ( Tf - Ts )/ xf (23) (22)
Figure 47: Stages of an AP Inert Binder Propellant.
The mass regression rate of the binder is then given by mb Qc,b = qs,b = 3 gs ( Tf - Ts,b ) / xf (24)
where the constituting elements of this relation have been seen in the chapter on inert binders. It should be noticed that, to simplify the description, a uniform mass flow rate mp is taken in the gas phase above the binder and the AP flame. The flame height xf is then the sum of Eqs. (19 and 21). The mass burning rate of the AP, see Eq. (13) of the corresponding chapter, mAP = [ 3 <AP> g,s ( Tf,AP - Ts,AP ) / Qc,AP ]1/2 3 <AP> = p2 Ag,AP exp[ - Eg,AP / R Tf,AP ] Now, due to the fact that the AP flame receives a heat flux from the final flame, the flame temperature is no longer the adiabatic temperature ( Tf,AP ad = 1205 K ). It is given by mAP cg ( Tf,AP - Ts,AP ) + mAP Qc,AP = mAP Qg,AP + qf,AP with, from Eq. (22), applied between xf,AP and xf the heat flux from the main flame into the AP flame qf,AP = 3 g ( Tf - Tf,AP ) / ( xf - xf,AP ) (27) (26) (25)
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RTO-EN-023
Combustion of Solid Propellants Results for the burning rate of AP-HTPB propellants are indicated on Fig. 48, where is seen a strong influence of the AP particle size. The model described above, and what is important the mechanisms it contains, gives a satisfactory account of these results.
Figure 48: Computed Burning Rates Compared to Experiments.
For the very small AP particle sizes the final flame is mostly dominated by the chemical process, very sensitive to pressure, as is the AP flame. This results in a variation of the burning with a pressure exponent close to 1. For large particle sizes the final flame is dominated by the diffusion process, which is insensitive to pressure. This, combined with the pressure dependent flame of the AP, see Fig. 38, gives rise to a propellant burning rate which is moderately sensitive to pressure. It is found in the modeling that the contribution of the turbulent diffusion, see Eq. (20), becomes important above about 100 atm. However above 300 to 400 atm the burning rate of the propellant undergoes a sharp exponent break that the model cannot follow. In some references this exponent break has been assumed to be due to the burning rate of the AP which would also increase sharply. It has been seen on Fig. 20 that, when the samples are carefully inhibited, this is not the case. The strong influence of the AP particle size upon the propellant burning rate, as expressed by the modeling, is also shown on Fig. 49. It is seen that at about 1 m there is no further gain in the burning rate. This is due to the fact that there will always exist a non vanishing flame stand-off distance related to the chemical time for the O2-hydrocarbons reaction.
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Figure 49: Computed Burning Rate vs AP Particle Size (80 % AP HTPB).
On Fig. 50 the burning rate computed from the mechanisms modeled as described above is compared to results from the literature [38, 39] for mixed AP particle sizes. The agreement is adequate for the larger particle sizes and approximate for the small ones (Now, how representative are the particle sizes indicated?). This reveals that the physico-chemical features incorporated in the model of the AP-inert binder propellant are probably sound. However, once a model has been tuned to represent a set of experimental results, as on Fig. 48, it cannot be expected that it will predict very accurately other results for different values of the parameters.
Figure 50: Multi-Modal AP Propellants.
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Combustion of Solid Propellants It has been seen that by acting upon the AP particle size it is possible to tailor the burning rate of the propellant, but that there exist a limiting size below which the effect will be non existent, Fig. 49. It is possible to gain further by incorporating metallic additives, Fig. 51, such as of the ferrocenic type (which during processing will dissolve into the not yet cross-linked binder for a proper mixing). There also exist a polybutadiene binder which incorporates within its chemical structure the ferrocenic pattern (to avoid migration problems). Various results, and in particular the similarity of action of a silicon binder which produces on the propellant surface a fine structure of SiO2 residue, to which it can hardly be attributed a catalytic efficiency, indicate that the mode of action of the additive is probably physical (rather than catalytic, in the sense of enhancing some chemical reactions). The layer of residue deposited on the surface has probably a flame-holding effect, the gases flowing in tortuous paths through this residue will react closer to the surface, with the final temperature not being modified, in such a way that an enhanced heat flux will act on the surface. This is taken into account in the model by decreasing the diffusion flame height, see Eq. (18), by a given factor throughout the pressure range.
Figure 51: Additive Modified Propellant.
Finally, the procedure to describe the combustion of AP composite propellants is applied to a practical propellant containing two AP particle sizes and aluminum. It is observed on Fig. 52 that the presence of aluminum, which has been seen to burn far away from the surface in such a manner that no significant conductive heat flux from its flame zone goes back to the propellant surface, should be taken into account by adding a radiative heat flux as measured in Ref. [52] for propellants very close to the ones considered here. It is found then that the experimental burning rate law is followed quite well.
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Burning rate mm / s
Experimental values Computation without radiation Computation with radiation
Pressure in bar
PROPELLANT :
18 % aluminum 50 % AP 100 m 18 % AP 10 m 14 % HTPB binder

Figure 52: Burning Rate of an Industrial Propellant.
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CONCLUSIONS
A review has been presented of the viewpoint of the authors on the combustion mechanisms of components and of solid propellants. Some noteworthy points are stressed here. Double-Base Propellants and Active Binders: A fairly good knowledge of the processes in the condensed and gas phases has been acquired. The main point is the presence of a two-flame system, involving NO2 NO N2, collapsing into one flame above 200 to 300 atm. Specific additives (lead and copper salts and carbon black) have a true chemical interaction, that is the enhancement of the NO-carbon reaction, bringing some of the energy normally evolved in the second flame closer to the surface. This knowledge carries over to the active binders, which are however less prone to super-rate effects because they produce less structured carbon residue. Inert Binders: Not so many reliable pyrolysis measurements have been performed on actual binders. It has been shown (from comparisons for a number of materials) that the pyrolysis characteristics obtained at low heating rate (by thermogravimetric analysis or differential scanning calorimetry) should extrapolate and apply under combustion conditions. The mechanism of pyrolysis is a thermal breaking ( not influenced by pressure) of the cross-links and of the polymer, not affected by additives. Ammonium Perchlorate: It is believed that the mechanism of combustion is properly known. A large amount, about 70 %, of the AP exothermically decomposes in a thin ( 1 m) condensed phase superficial layer, the remaining 30 % sublimes into NH3 and HClO4 which react in a flame very close (a few m) to the surface. Due to the thickness, and the very short residence time associated, of these zones, additives have no true catalytic (i.e. chemical) action. HMX, RDX and HNIW: The combustion of HMX (or RDX) is qualitatively comparable to that of a DB propellant, with the occurrence of two flames, involving NO2 and N2O/NO. However above 20 atm these flames collapse into one and therefore it is not possible to induce super-rate effects with specific additives, as was the case for DB propellants. Also, additives which were hoped to accelerate the melting-decomposition of HMX fail to act under combustion characteristics. The burning of HNIW, the new caged nitramine, seems to be of the same nature, with a condensed phase decomposition due to thermal degradation and probably no evaporation phenomenon; also the gas flame is probably very quickly collapsed into a single overall flame, with therefore no possibility of additive effect of the double base type. AP or HMX Inert or Active Binder (Aluminum) Propellants: The approach believed to describe adequately the combustion of composite propellants is a sequential one. When following a path through the propellant, it meets successively the combustion of the oxidizer particles and of the binder layers. In the case of AP-inert binder propellants, the propellant burning rate is an average of the components rates. However an interaction flame between O2 from AP and hydrocarbons from the binder enhances the rate of AP and allows the pyrolysis of the binder. The burning rate of the propellant can be quite widely tailored by reducing the AP particle size and further by adding metallic compounds which leave an oxide residue layer, the action of which is likely to be a flame holding effect, i.e. a physical action. Aluminum
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Combustion of Solid Propellants incorporated in such propellants of course increases the final temperature by as much as 1000 K, but its combustion is so far from the surface that it does not influence much the regression rate of the propellant. In the case of HMX RDX or HNIW - active binder propellants, both components have autonomous burning rates. The resulting propellant burning rate is the average of the two rates, with a further slowing down due to the fact that the HMX, or other nitramine, particles, upon reaching the surface, have to undergo a transition to full combustion. This delay is of importance up to roughly 150 atm; above it tends to become negligible. No additives have been found to act on HMX and additives of the DB type act only moderately on the active binder. The tailorability of HMX, or other nitramine, - active binder propellants is therefore more limited than for AP propellants. Further trends on new ingredients are related in the first place to the need to reduce the vulnerability to various aggressions of missile motors employing solid propellants: cook off due to fires, bullet or fragment impact, sympathetic detonation. Another emerging concern is that of the pollution caused by the large boosters of space launchers, using AP - inert binder - aluminum propellants, with production of HCl and Al2O3 smoke. These considerations have led to reconsidering ingredients such as ammonium nitrate, NH4NO3, discarded previously as being insufficiently energetic, reconsidered and seemingly not considered any longer, and to introducing energetic binders such as GAP, glycidyl azide polymer (containing the N3 group, inducing an exothermic decomposition), briefly mentioned in the text, or oxidizers containing the N-NO2 group while being less sensitive than HMX or RDX, such as ADN (NH4-N-(NO2)2). Also considered are caged nitramines, such as CL20 (also called HNIW), which maintains the energetic level with a lesser amount of oxidizer, thus reducing the vulnerability, or which allows a higher energetic level. A number of new results on this component has been presented in the text. It is hoped that the large amount of information gathered and the understanding acquired about the already used propellants ingredients will allow an efficient approach to the mastering of the behavior of the new ingredients and the corresponding propellants.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The work of ONERA has been carried out in large part under contracts from the Dlgation Gnrale lArmement (M.S. Amiet) and in cooperation with the Socit Nationale des Poudres et Explosifs (R. Couturier, Y. Longevialle and colleagues) and with the Ecole Nationale Suprieure des Techniques Avances (E. Cohen-Nir). J.C. Amiot and J. Hommel have actively participated in the experimental work. The authors acknowledge the efforts of Y. Le Breton and F. Laroche in elaborating the manuscript. Much information was exchanged, in particular through the then AGARD consultant program, with M.W. Beckstead, Brigham Young University, M.Q. Brewster, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, and N.S. Cohen, consultant.
REFERENCES
This document is very much extracted from: G. Lengell: Recent Developments and Challenges in Ignition and Combustion of Solid Propellants. Invited plenary conference, 4th International Symposium in Chemical Propulsion,
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Combustion of Solid Propellants Stockholm, May 1996. Publication in 1997 Challenges in Propellants and Combustion, Begell House, New York. G. Lengell, J. Duterque and J.F. Trubert: Physico-Chemical Mechanisms of Solid Propellant Combustion. Contribution to Solid Propellant Chemistry, Combustion and Motor Interior Ballistics, Volume 185, Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics, AIAA, 2000.
General References (Combustion, Chemical Propulsion, Solid Propellants)

Williams F.A., Combustion Theory (Second Edition), Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Co, Menlo Park, 1985. Kuo K.K., Principles of Combustion, John Wiley and Sons, New York, 1986. Williams F.A., Barrre M. and Huang N.C., Fundamental Aspects of Solid Propellant Rockets, AGARD 116, 1969. Timnat Y.M., Advanced Chemical Rocket Propulsion, Academic Press, London, 1987. Kuo K.K. and Summerfield M. (Eds), Fundamentals of Solid Propellant Combustion, Volume 90 of Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics, 1984. Yang V. and Zarko V.E. (Eds), Solid Propellant Motor Interior Ballistics and Combustion of Energetic Materials, Special issue of Journal of Propulsion and Power, Vol. 11, n 4, JulyAugust 1995. Yang V., Brill T.B. and Ren W.Z., Solid Propellant Chemistry, Combustion and Motor Interior Ballistic, Volume 185 of Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics, 2000.
Double-Base Propellants and Active Binders References

[1] [2] [3] Heller C.A. and Gordon A.S., Structure of the Gas Phase Combustion Region of a Solid DoubleBase Propellant, The Journal of Physical Chemistry, Vol. 59, n 8, pp. 773-777, 1955. Zenin A.A., Structure of Temperature Distribution in Steady-State Burning of a Ballistite Powder, Combustion, Explosion and Shock Waves, Vol. 2, n 3, pp. 67-76, 1966. Kubota N., Ohlemiller J.J., Caveny L.H. and Summerfield M., The Mechanism of Super-Rate Burning of Catalyzed Double-Base Propellants, 15th Symposium (International) on Combustion, pp. 529-537, The Combustion Institute, 1975. Kubota N. and Ishihara A., Analysis of the Temperature Sensitivity of Double-Base Propellants, 20th Symposium (International) on Combustion, pp. 2035-2041, The Combustion Institute, 1984. Lengell G., Bizot A., Duterque J. and Trubert J.F., Steady-State Burning of Homogeneous Propellants, in Fundamentals of Solid-Propellant Combustion (Ed. K.K. Kuo and M. Summerfield), Vol. 90 of Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics, 1984. Duterque J., Hommel J. and Lengell G., Experimental Study of Double-Base Propellants Combustion Mechanisms, Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics, Vol. 10, pp. 18-25, 1985. Trubert J.F., Analysis of the Condensed Phase Degradation Gases of Energetic Binders, La Recherche Arospatiale, 1989, n 2 (March-April), pp. 69-79; AGARD/PEP Specialists Meeting on Smokeless Propellants, Florence, September 1985, AGARD C.P. n 391.
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[4] [5]
[6] [7]
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Combustion of Solid Propellants [8] [9] Lengell G., Thermal Degradation Kinetics and Surface Pyrolysis of Polymers, AIAA Journal, Vol. 8, n 11, pp. 1989-1996, 1970. Bizot A. and Beckstead M.W., A Model for Double-Base Propellant Combustion, 22nd Symposium (International) on Combustion, pp. 1827-1834, The Combustion Institute, 1988.
[10] Cohen N.S. and Lo G.A., Combustion Chemistry of Nitrate Ester-Based Propellants, AIAA Paper 83-1198, June 1983; 20th JANNAF Combustion Meeting, October 1983. [11] Song Y.H., Beer J.M. and Sarofim A.F. Reduction of Nitric Oxide by Coal Char at Temperatures of 1250-1750 K, Combustion Science and Technology, Vol. 25, pp. 237-240, 1981. [12] Youfang C., Combustion Mechanism of Double-Base Propellants with Lead Burning Rate Catalysts, Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics, Vol. 12, pp. 209-214, 1987.
Inert Binders References

[13] Madorsky S.L., Thermal Degradation of Organic Polymers, Interscience Publishers, New York, 1964. [14] Jellinek H.H.G., Aspect of Degradation and Stabilization of Polymers, Elsevier Scientific Publishing Co, New York, 1978. [15] Strand L.D., Jones M.D. and Ray R.L., Characterization of the Hybrid Rocket Internal Flux and HTPB Fuel Pyrolysis. AIAA Paper 94-2876, 30th Joint Propulsion Conference, Indianapolis, June 1994. [16] Cohen N.S., Fleming R.W. and Derr R.L., Role of Binders in Solid Propellant Combustion, AIAA Journal, Vol. 12, n 2, pp. 212-218, 1974. [17] Beck W.H., Pyrolysis Studies of Polymeric Materials Used as Binders in Composite Propellants: A Review, Combustion and Flame, Vol. 70, pp. 171-190, 1987.
Ammonium Perchlorate References

[18] Levy J.B. and Friedman R., Further Studies of Pure Ammonium Perchlorate Deflagration, 8th Symposium (International) on Combustion, pp. 663-672, The Combuston Institute, 1962. [19] Guirao C. and Williams F.A., A Model for Ammonium Perchlorate Deflagration between 20 and 100 atm, AIAA Journal, Vol. 9, n 7, pp. 1345-1356, 1971. [20] Beckstead M.W., Derr R.L. and Price C.F., The Combustion of Solid Monopropellants and Composite Propellants, 13th Symposium (International) on Combustion, pp. 1047-1056, The Combustion Institute, 1971. [21] Price C.F., Boggs T.L. and Derr R.L., The Steady State Combustion Behavior of Ammonium Perchlorate and HMX, AIAA paper n 79-0164, 17th Aerospace Sciences Meeting, 1979. [22] Godon J.C., Model of Ammonium Perchlorate Self-Deflagration, La Recherche Arospatiale, 1982-2, pp. 43-50. [23] Seleznev V.A., An Optical Method of Measuring the Burning Surface Temperature of Condensed Systems, Combustion and Flame, Vol. 13, n 2, 1969.
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HMX, RDX, HNIW References

[24] Rogers R.N., DSC Determination of the Kinetics Constants of Systems that Melt with Decomposition, Thermochemica Acta, Vol. 3, pp. 437-447, 1972. [25] Boggs T.L., The Thermal Behavior of RDX and HMX, in Fundamentals of Solid-Propellant Combustion (Ed. K.K. Kuo and M. Summerfield), Vol. 90 of Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics, 1984. [26] Cohen N.S., Lo G.A. and Crowley J.C., Model and Chemistry of HMX Combustion, AIAA Journal, Vol. 23, n 2, p. 276, 1985. [27] Kubota N. and Sakamoto S., Combustion Mechanism of HMX, 19th International Annual Conference of ICT, Karlsruhe, June 1988. [28] Mitani T. and Williams F.A., A Model for the Deflagration of Nitramines, 21st Symposium (International) on Combustion, pp. 1965-1974, The Combustion Institute, 1986. Also, Sandia Report 86-8230, December 1986. [29] Lengell G. and Duterque J., Combustion of Propellants Based on HMX, AGARD/PEP Specialists Meeting on Smokeless Propellants, AGARD CP n 391, Florence, September 1985. [30] Bizot A. and Beckstead M.W., A Model for HMX Combustion, International Seminar on Flame Structure, Alma-Ata (Former USSR), September 1989. [31] Shoemaker R.L. et al, Thermophysical Properties of Propellants, Thermal Conductivity, Vol. 18, pp. 199-211, 1985. [32] Hatch R.L., Chemical Kinetics of HMX Combustion, 24th JANNAF Combustion Meeting, Monterey, Cal., October 1987. [33] Brill T.B., Heat Flow / Chemistry Interface in the Condensed phase (HMX), ONR Workshop on Energetic Material Initiation Fundamentals, Livermore, Cal., December 1988. [34] Liau Y.C. and Yang V., Analysis of RDX Monopropellant Combustion with Two-Phase Subsurface Reactions, Journal of Propulsion and Power, Vol. 11, July 1995, p. 729. [35] Longevialle Y., Golfier M. and Graindorge H., New Generation of Propellants for High Performances Solid Rocket Motors, RTO / AVT Symposium Small Rocket Motors, 1999. [36] Trubert J.F. and Hommel J., Study of the Condensed Phase Degradation and Combustion of Two New Energetic Charges for Low Polluting and Smokeless Propellants: HNIW and ADN, ICT Annual Conference, June 2002.
Composite Propellants References

[37] Beckstead M.W., Derr R.L. and Price C.F., A Model of Composite Solid-Propellant Combustion Based on Multiple Flames, AIAA Journal, Vol. 8, n 12, pp. 2200-2207, 1970. [38] Cohen N.S., Review of Composite Propellant Burn Rate Modeling, AIAA Journal, Vol. 18, n 3, pp. 277-293, 1980. [39] Cohen N.S. and Strand L.D., An Improved Model for the Combustion of AP Composite Propellants, AIAA paper n 81-1553, 17th Propulsion Conference, 1981.
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Combustion of Solid Propellants [40] Ramohalli K.N.R., Steady State Burning of Composite Propellants, in Fundamentals of SolidPropellant Combustion (Ed. K.K. KUO and M. Summerfield), Vol. 90 of Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics, 1984. [41] Cohen N.S., Crowley J.C. and Lo G.A., Effects of HMX Addition on the Combustion of Energetic Binders, 21st JANNAF Combustion Meeting, October 1984. [42] Beckstead M.W. and McCarty K.P., Modeling Calculations for HMX Composite Propellants, AIAA Journal, Vol. 20, n 1, pp. 106-115, 1982. [43] Duterque J. and Lengell G., Combustion Mechanisms of Nitramine Based Propellants with Additives, AIAA paper n 88-3253, 24th Propulsion Conference, 1988. Journal of Propulsion and Power, Vol. 6, n 6, pp. 718-726, December 1990. [44] Blomshield F. and Osborn J., Nitramine Composite Solid Propellant Modeling, AIAA paper n 90-2311, 26th Propulsion Conference, 1990. [45] Beckstead M.W., A Model for Composite Modified Double-Base Propellant Combustion, 26th JANNAF Combustion Meeting, October 1989. [46] Cohen N.S., A Pocket Model for Aluminum Agglomeration in Composite Propellants, AIAA Journal, Vol. 21, n 5, pp. 720-725, 1983. [47] Price E.W., Combustion of Metalized Propellants, in Fundamentals of Solid-Propellants Combustion (Ed. K.K. Kuo and M. Summerfield), Vol. 90 of Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics, 1984. [48] Duterque J., Experimental Studies of Aluminium Agglomeration in Solid Rocket Motors, 4th International Symposium on Special Topics in Chemical Propulsion, Stockholm (Sweden), 1996, Begell House Inc. Publisher. [49] Renie J.P. and Osborn J.R., Combustion Modeling of Aluminized Propellants, AIAA paper n 79-1131, 15th Propulsion Conference, 1979. [50] Lengell G., Fourest B., Godon J.C. and Guin C., Condensed Phase Behavior and Ablation Rate of Fuels for Hybrid Propulsion, AIAA paper n 93-2413, 29th Propulsion Conference, 1993. [51] Trubert J.F., Duterque J. and Lengell G., Study of the Condensed Phase Degradation and Combustion of Glycidyl Azide Polymer, ICT Annual Conference, June 1999. [52] Ishihara A., Brewster M.Q., Sheridan T.A. and Krier H., The Influence of Radiative Heat Feedback on Burning Rate in Aluminized Propellants, Combustion and Flame Vol. 84, pp. 141-153, 1991.
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A Summary of Aluminum Combustion*

M.W. Beckstead Brigham Young University Provo, Utah, USA Abstract The combustion characteristics of aluminum combustion are summarised in an overview of the subject, focusing on the burning time of individual particles. The fundamental concepts that control aluminum combustion are discussed starting with a discussion of the Dn law. Combustion data from over ten different sources with almost 400 datum points have been cataloged and correlated. Available models have also been used to evaluate combustion trends with key environmental parameters. The exponent is shown to be less than two, with nominal values of ~1.5 to 1.8 being typical. The effect of oxidizer is pronounced with oxygen being twice as effective as water and about five times more effective than carbon dioxide. The observed effect of pressure and initial temperature is minimal. In the second part of the paper a two-dimensional unsteady state kinetic-diffusion-vaporization controlled numerical model for aluminum particle combustion is presented. The model solves the conservation equations, while accounting for the species generation and destruction with a 15 reaction kinetic mechanism. Two of the major phenomena that differentiate aluminum combustion from hydrocarbon droplet combustion, namely the condensation of the aluminum oxide product and the subsequent deposition of part of the condensed oxide, are accounted for in detail with a sub-model for each phenomenon. The effect of the oxide cap in the distortion of the profiles around the particle has been included in the model. The results obtained from the model, which include two-dimensional species and temperature profiles, are analyzed and compared with experimental data. The combustion process is found to approach a diffusion controlled process for the oxidizers and conditions treated. The flame zone location and thickness is found to vary with oxidizer. The result shows that the exponent of the particle diameter dependence of burning time is not a constant and changes from about 1.2 for larger diameter particles to 1.9 for smaller diameter particles. Due to the deposition of the aluminum oxide on the particle surface, particle velocity oscillates. The effect of pressure is analyzed for a few oxidizers.
Introduction Aluminum has been added to propellants for many years as an extra energy source for the propellant. Thus, research on the combustion mechanism of burning aluminum has been an ongoing effort. A very significant effort was expended in the 1960s and 1970s shortly after the effects of aluminum were first conceived. In an early study Glassman1,2 recognized that metal combustion would be analogous to droplet combustion, and that the D2 law ought to apply, and that ignition and combustion ought to depend on the melting and boiling points of the metal and the oxide. He speculated that ignition would not occur until the oxide shell melted at its melting point and that subsequent combustion would achieve a steady state condition with the aluminum at its boiling point. These basic concepts have provided a general framework for interpreting aluminum combustion.
* *
This work was sponsored partly by Brigham Young University and partly by an ONR sponsored Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative under ONR Grant No. N00014-95-1-1338, Program Manager Dr. Judah Goldwasser
A Summary of Aluminum Combustion
A question that has often been asked, is whether laboratory data in air at ambient pressure and temperature can be related to motor conditions at high temperature, high pressure and in propellant products that do not contain oxygen. One of the purposes of this study was to develop sufficient understanding of aluminum combustion based on laboratory data, simulated motor data and actual motor data, to answer that question. Other questions can be asked about the effect of aluminum on combustion efficiency, slag formation, effects of agglomeration, and the potential effect of aluminum on a propellants burning rate. These questions will not be addressed in this paper, although the understanding gained here should be applicable to some of the questions. In the 70s and early 80s several survey papers and reports were written, summarizing the work up to that time. Some of the most useful are the works of Pokhil, et al3, Frolov, et al4, Micheli and Schmidt5, Glassman, et al6, and Price, et al 7,8. This paper will focus on the burning time of aluminum and the effect of various parameters on that burning time. Extensive research has been performed in Russia (then, the Soviet Union) and brief summary of that work is included. Following that, data from those sources that were available to the author, evaluating the effects of particle diameter, oxidizing species, pressure, and temperature on aluminum combustion. Aluminum combustion in air1 suggests that it burns as a vapor and the combustion is controlled by the diffusion of the fuel and oxidizer. However, aluminum combustion cannot be analyzed with a simple hydrocarbon droplet combustion model. This is due to some complications with aluminum combustion. First, in aluminum combustion, the gas phase combustion products condense to liquid aluminum oxide. This condensation dominates the combustion process and contributes considerably to the amount of heat released during combustion. Second, condensed aluminum oxide can deposit on the particle surface to form an oxide cap, which distorts the distribution of gasification velocity, temperature and other quantities around the particle. Also, the oxide cap cam cause jetting and fragmentation of the particle. Third, the dissociation of the condensed product maintains the flame temperature fairly constant at the gasification temperature of the aluminum oxide. Hence, hydrocarbon droplet combustion models cannot be extended directly to model aluminum combustion. The second part of this paper focuses on modeling the basic combustion process of a burning aluminum particle. Aluminum combustion models have been developed since the 1960s. Brzustowski and Glassman2 were among the first to suggest that aluminum burns in the vapor phase. They stated that a metal would burn in the vapor phase if its boiling point temperature were lower than that of its oxide. Their model included many of the same assumptions as in hydrocarbon droplet combustion models. Law 3 was the first to acknowledge some of the effects of the oxide condensation in a model. Laws analytical model has been upgraded by Turns4, Brooks5,6 and Bhatia7 by relaxing certain assumptions in Laws model. Many of the earlier models2,3 have focused on calculating the burning time and flame temperature, but could not predict the distributions of physical quantities nor processes such as condensation and deposition. The postulated combustion mechanisms were much simplified, using global kinetics. Many of the models2,3,8 have not accounted for the effects of the oxide cap in the distortion of the symmetrical flame. Many of the models have assumed quasi-steady state3,8,9. Many of the models have concentrated on aluminum combustion in air, while one of the main uses of aluminum is in rocket motors, where the oxidizers mainly consists of CO2 and H2O. Aluminum Combustion Research in Russia Overviews and surveys of Russian work on aluminum combustion or metal combustion in general has been performed by Pressley 9 in the US, as well as the Pokhil3, and Frolov 4, papers previously referenced. The reader is referred to these reports for discussions on the work prior to that time. In 1968 Belyaev, et al10 published a classic paper on aluminum combustion, which has been referenced by most subsequent papers in the Russian literature. They incorporated aluminum into propellants at 0.01% so they were measuring the burning rates of individual particles, avoiding agglomeration effects.
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They varied the effective CO2 and H2O concentrations in the gas, (i.e. aK), diameter and pressure, and developed an expression for particle burning time as: = 0.67 D1.5/aK 0.9 (1)
where D is the particle diameter in m, aK is the relative concentration of CO2 and H 2O in the gas, and is the burning time in msec. CO was not considered an active oxidizer because the energy to break down the CO molecule is double that of either CO2 or H2O. Below pressures of ~25-30 atm, they observed burning time decreasing ~10-12%, but at greater pressures they did not observe a change with pressure. They varied the propellant formulation so that aK was varied from 0.3 to 0.7, and particle diameters were varied from 70 to 140 m, determining the exponent of 0.9, and the coefficient of 0.67 in the equation. They also observed that burning time decreases with increasing ambient temperature up to ~2000K. They 2 examined the ignition time of the particles, concluding that it is proportional to D with an activation energy of ~32 kcal/mol. Equation (1) is the expression used in most Russian papers to describe the burning time of aluminum up to the current time. Boreisho, et al11 reported that the photographically determined flame sizes around a burning particle could be 1.5 up to 4 times larger than actual. Arkhipov, et al12 measured flame distances by dropping burning particles onto glass slides observing flame distances of ~ 3Do. Dreizen and Trunov13 have recently reported similar experiments. A number of papers have focused on the ignition process of metals, aluminum in particular. Merzhanov, et al 14 postulated that the ignition temperature coincides with the melting point of AL2O3, 2300 K, and estimated an activation energy of 17 (Belyaev reported a value of 32). Breiter, et al15 published an extensive summary of the ignition of metals considering thirteen different metals and six alloys based on Glassmans work in this country. They classified the ignition characteristics of the metals according to the relative densities of the metal versus that of the oxide and the melting point of the oxide. Thus, the impervious character of aluminum oxide inhibits ignition up to the temperature, at which it melts, which then results in ignition and combustion. Ermakov, et al16 embedded a thermocouple into an aluminum particle, and measured ignition temperatures of ~2000-2100 K, concluding that ignition occurs due to the failure of the oxide shell integrity, but not necessarily due to melting. Lokenbakh, et al17 contend that mechanical cracking of the oxide shell can occur under varying heating and ambient conditions, leading to ignition and/or enhanced agglomeration at temperatures as low as 1000 to 1300 K. Boiko, et al18 examined ignition of several metals in a reflected shock wave, also concluding that ignition can occur due to fracturing of the oxide shell when subjected to mechanical stresses. Rozenband and Vaganova19 also propose ignition by fracture of the oxide shell due to mechanical stresses caused by thermal expansion and density differences during rapid heating. Rozenband, et al20 also claim that CrCl3 can react with the oxide shell reducing the ignition temperature to ~900K. The characteristics of the oxide particles formed from the combustion of a metal are very important relative to performance (i.e. combustion efficiency) and acoustic particle damping. Fedorov, et al21 measured a bimodal distribution of Al2O3 in the exhaust from small motors, observing most of the oxide as smoke ~1.5 to 2 m, but with a second larger fraction of particles ~6 m. They also observed that the percentage of fines increased at higher pressures. Arkhipov et al12 measured oxide particles of ~1-2 m at one atm pressure in a laboratory experiment. There are a large number of papers discussing models that describe the ignition process leading to metal combustion. For example, Gostintev et al22, Gremyachkin23, Arutyunyan, et al24, etc., all developed models describing the ignition of metals, usually aluminum. Gurevich, et al25, Gremyachkin23, Gostintev22, Bezprozvannykh, et al26, Rozenband and Vaganova19 and Kovalev27 all developed models allowing for the growth of protective oxide on the surface, comparing that to another aspect of the
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ignition process (e.g. strength of the oxide layer, transient heating, etc.). Both Gremyachkin and Rozenband and Vaganova showed that ignition could occur well below the oxide melting point. Kovalev27 showed that the ignition time should be proportional to D2. Medvedev, Fedorov and Fomin28 conclude that Mg ignites by thermal explosion while Al ignites by a critical ignition temperature (the oxide melting temperature). There is obviously a diversity of opinion, but also the different authors developed their models for different ignition conditions, some considering slow heating, others considering very rapid heating, etc. Kudryavtsev, et al29, Gremyachkin, et al.30,31, etc all developed models for describing the rate of combustion of metals, usually aluminum. Babuk, et al32 have studied the effect of metal oxide formation on the combustion. Gremyachkin, et al31 developed a model for the combustion of aluminum particles (droplets) including oxidizer diffusion to the surface and heterogeneous reaction there. They also contend that aluminum can react with the oxide on the surface forming Al2O which has a high vapor pressure. They account for the effects of O2, H2O and CO2 as oxidizers, concluding that the burning times for CO 2 are twice as long as for water, and that the burning times for water are 1.5 times as long as for oxygen. Kudryavtsev, et al29 developed a model including the reaction of aluminum and water. Their model shows burning times constant above ~350 psi, but varying at lower pressure (in agreement with experimental data). They say that the low pressure variation is due to the diffusion process being inhibited by the oxide cloud.
Experimental Investigations into Aluminum Particle Combustion As part of this study, as much data as possible has been accumulated, documented and assembled in a common format. The various sources are listed in Table I, along with a brief summary of the range of test conditions for which they performed their experiments. Only sources have been used where variations in the data were sufficient to show a trend. Many other sources where data have been obtained at a single set of conditions have not been included. A data base of approximately 400 datum points have been compiled and analyzed to evaluate the dependencies of the various parameters on the aluminum burning time. The results of those studies are presented below. This brief summary is not necessarily comprehensive, but is intended to identify major research contributions, particularly where burning time data were available that could be correlated with other researchers. A brief description of their technique is included along with a discussion of their results and conclusions. For simplicity, research has been separated by the technique used to ignite the aluminum particle: propellant, gas burner, laser, flash, and shock. Propellant Ignited Aluminum Particles Using propellant to ignite aluminum particles is obviously advantageous since conditions similar to that of a rocket motor are created. Yet the high temperature, high pressure, and corrosive environment of propellant combustion is difficult to control experimentally.
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Table I - Sources of Aluminum Combustion Data
Ambient T Author Friedman & Macek33,34 Davis35 Macek

36
Gas Concentrations (%) P(atm) H2O O2 CO2 CO N2 0 63 to 65 Ar 0

HCl 0
Date Do (m) 1962 -3 1963 1967 1971 1971 15-67
To (K) 2510
1 17 to 18
5 to 6 12 to 14
60-96 2200-3200 1-204 .5 to 50 0 to 27 32-49 2500
9 to 50 9 to 41 9 to 41 0 40 to 58
0 0 -21 0
0
1 0 to 17 8 to 16 13 to 43 25.5 27 to 34 2-5 1
Hartman37 Wilson & Williams38 Prentice39 Turns and Wong40,41 Marion43,44 Olsen & Beckstead45 Melcher, et al46 Dreizin47,48 Zenin
49,50
23-94 3000-3189 24-74 298 298
0 to 4 17 to 23 9 to 30 13 to 20 0 0 to 50 0 70 to 90
0 0-8 90
0 0 0
0 10 to 30 0 to 3 15 to 75
1974 250-400
0 0 to 80 0 - 85 0
1987 300-760 1809-1827
1 29 to 31 10 to 25 27 to 30 15 to 49 46 to 64 99 0 21 0 0 to 18 0 0 9 to 2 1 79 0 10 5-90
Roberts, et al42 1993 1995 1996 1999 1999
20 2225-2775 85.-34 35-40 40-70 106 90,200 298 1 - 39 3000
0 0 0 0-95
0 0 18 ** 0
1 66 to 89 11 to 16
2300 13-22 41 to 38 0 to 11 12 to 16 298 1 5-100 0 0 to 20 0 to 100
2000 185-500
298 1 - 40
0 0 to 80 0 - 80
Davis35 prepared ammonium perchlorate and paraformaldehyde propellants with less than 1% aluminum by mass. These propellant samples were ignited in a 'bomb' apparatus with pressures ranging up to 200 atm. Particle combustion was captured with high-speed cinematography through windows. Using aluminum particles with initial diameters ranging from 53 to 103 m, Davis found that an exponent of 1.8 for Equation 3.1 fit the data well. Davis also noted that the burning rate increased while the pressure climbed from 20 to 70 atm, but the rate was constant thereafter. Similar to Davis, Friedman and Macek33 and Macek36 also created aluminized propellant samples which burned with pressures ranging up to 135 atm. Friedman and Macek noted that hollow oxide spheres were produced when the apparatus was operated at atmospheric pressure. Hartman37 performed similar experiments using composite modified, double base propellant which contained three oxidizers: ammonium perchlorate, nitrocellulose, and nitroglycerin. Varying the formulation of this propellant provided a wider range of oxidizer environments in which aluminum particles could burn. Hartman chose particle distributions with mean diameters of 23, 54, and 94 m and did testing at pressures of 19, 26, and 50 atm. He found a dependence on pressure and oxidizer environment similar to that seen by Davis. Hartman reported his data by using Equation 3.1, but observed a dependence on pressure raised to the 0.4 power.
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Krier (Burton, et al51 and Melcher, et al52) has tried two approaches to investigate aluminum particle combustion with an AP/HTPB propellant as an ignition source. Similar to the research just reviewed, Krier aluminized his propellant sample for one approach. Additional oxygen could be introduced into the propellant exhaust products via an injector to increase the oxygen concentration up to 10%. The burning rate was only slightly dependent on the oxygen concentration, but this conclusion may be in error due to poor mixing of the oxygen with the propellant exhaust. Pressure was varied from 13 to 22 atm and the burning rate increased linearly with pressure over this range. For a second approach, an injector delivered a mono-disperse aluminum particle stream to the exhaust products of a non-aluminized AP/HTPB propellant. Using strobed photographic techniques, burning times were 102 ms for nominally 68 m particles which is in general agreement with other published research. Gas Burner Ignited Aluminum Particles In experiments where gas burners are used, the aluminum particles are passed through a gaseous flame hot enough to achieve ignition. Propane, carbon monoxide, methane, hydrogen, and cyanogen are some fuels that have been used. Oxygen is the typical oxidizer with nitrogen used as a dilutant. After an aluminum particle ignites, it burns in the exhaust products of the gaseous flame, which includes both water and carbon dioxide as oxidizer species, in addition to any available diatomic oxygen. These studies create an atmosphere that is similar to that in a solid propellant, but allowing the experimentalist greater control over what could be achieved with actual propellants. With a few exceptions, most studies using gas burners to ignite aluminum particles have been performed at atmospheric pressure since controlling a gaseous flame at high pressures is challenging.45. Strobe photography and high-speed cinematography are typical tools used to measure particle burning times. Friedman and Macek 33,34 and Macek 36 provide some of the first reported burning time data for aluminum particle combustion. They ignited small particles (30 to 50 m) in propane or carbon monoxide flat flame burners. Little difference in burning times was found using either fuel. In both burners, a fine oxide smoke and porous or hollow oxide spheres were formed. These oxide 'bubbles' were more numerous in the exhaust environments containing water. They also saw consistent fragmentation during the vigorous combustion of aluminum particles in oxygen rich environments. Their data suggested an exponent of 1.2 to 1.5 for Equation 3.1. Bartlett, et al53 used a methane flame to ignite several different aluminum particle distributions with mean diameters ranging from 15 to 32m. Hollow oxide spheres were found after particle burnout which were close to the size of the original aluminum particle. The spheres were crushed and examined under a microscope. A porous structure was observed with small specks of metal. Davis35 used a carbon monoxide flame to ignite his aluminum particles that were between 53 and 66 m. In Davis' photographs he was able to discern that the particle's flame front was several diameters larger than the particle and thus had evidence for vapor-phase combustion. Davis also observed porous oxide spheres in the residue collected after combustion. He noted increasing particle fragmentation for any oxygen concentration over 32% by volume. He suggested that the particle burning time was inversely proportional to the oxygen partial pressure. He also concluded that the ambient oxygen concentration was more important to the particle combustion rate than the ambient temperature. Drew, et al54,55, Prentice39 and Price, et al56 performed a number of aluminum particle combustion experiments, many of them qualitative, but some were quantitative. Their burners used hydrogen, carbon monoxide and cyanogen combined with oxygen. Particles ranged in size from 30 to 400m. Burning
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times were determined using photographic techniques, and combustion morphology was investigated by using microscopes to examine particles quenched during combustion. Particle spinning, metal vapor jetting, and violent fragmentation were observed in both the hydrogen and carbon monoxide flames. With a hydrogen flame, a smaller flame diameter was observed, possibly due to the higher diffusivity of water as opposed to carbon monoxide. Also large numbers of hollow oxide spheres were formed. In the carbon monoxide flame, few hollow oxide spheres were present, and a noticeable amount of unburned aluminum was present in the exhaust residue. If just 5% hydrogen were added to the carbon monoxide flame, results were similar to the pure hydrogen and oxygen flame. Particles ignited in the cyanogen flame exhibited behavior similar to that seen with a carbon monoxide flame. Wong and Turns40,41 added aluminum powder to jet fuel (JP-10) to create slurry droplets with diameters ranging from 500 to 1100 m. These droplets were suspended on silicon carbide fibers and then suddenly exposed to the hot exhaust gases of a carbon monoxide or methane flame. Upon burnout of the jet fuel, the aluminum would agglomerate forming an aluminum particle with a diameter ranging from 300 to 800 m. Using high-speed cinematography, they observed that the vapor-phase flame front was smaller for the methane flame, where water would be present, when compared to the 'dry' environment of the carbon monoxide flame. Also eruptions and fragmentation were noted for the 'wet' environment. They found that burning times decreased when the flames were operated fuel lean such that there was excess oxygen in the flame exhaust. Olsen and Beckstead45 used a carbon monoxide/hydrogen diffusion flame to ignite aluminum particles one at a time. A photomultiplier tube was used to record the combustion event. Particles, ranging in size from 40 to 80 m, were meticulously chosen individually under a microscope. Olsen interrupted the combustion of some particles by quenching. Using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray analysis, he was able to examine the combustion morphology of the particles and the formation of porous oxide spheres that were prevalent. Olsen found that his oxidizer concentration (H2O, CO2, or O 2) had a strong effect on the particle burning rate. He concluded that the difference in the burning rate exponent among different researchers was as much due to the varied data reduction techniques used as it was due to the diverse physical conditions of each experiment. Olsen also postulated that the burning rate exponent probably changed during the combustion history of a particleranging from approximately two at ignition and decreasing towards one at particle burnout. He suggested this burning rate decrease would occur because of the increasing fraction of aluminum oxide covering the molten aluminum sphere. Foelsche, et al57 recently used photodiodes to measure the burning time of a small cloud of aluminum powder (approximate diameter of 22 m) inside a combustion bomb with pressures ranging from 38 to 145 atm. The aluminum particles were injected into the bomb shortly after the ignition of a H2/O2/N2 mixture generated high temperatures and pressures. Foelsche found his data compared favorably with that of Davis, but showed a greater pressure dependency. Laser, Flash, and Shock Ignited Aluminum Particles By using lasers, flash tubes, or shock waves some researchers have ignited aluminum particles and observed their behavior. Since this ignition method is independent of the ambient environment, the temperature, pressure, oxidizers, and inert species can be varied widely. Wilson and Williams38 ignited single aluminum particles with a laser in an oxygen/argon atmosphere. They found that dilute amounts of argon suppressed oxide cap formation and particle fragmentation. Without an oxide cap, the particles appeared to burn in accordance with the vapor-phase model suggested by Brzustowski and Glassman58.
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High-speed photography captured the combustion history of the nominally 50 m particles in a chamber with pressures ranging to 5 atm. Drew, et al59 and Prentice, et al39,60 used lasers to ignite individual particles. In addition, a xenon flash tube was used to ignite small aluminum foil discs. The molten discs formed particles approximately 250 to 400 m in diameter. These particles were burned in room temperature combinations of CO2/O2, N2/O2, and Ar/O2. For some tests, the atmosphere was made 'wet' by introducing water vapor as a second oxidizer. All experiments were performed at atmospheric pressure. Particle combustion history was recorded with high-speed cameras, while the combustion morphology of quenched samples was examined using scanning electron microscopy. Oxide caps did not form when the environment was argon and oxygen, similar to the observations of Wilson and Williams. When water was introduced, caps did form. At ambient temperature, the particles would extinguish in the carbon dioxide environment before all the aluminum metal was consumed. With an N2/O2 atmosphere, the particles would consistently fragment irrespective of the amount of water vapor present. Once again, hollow oxide spheres were observed for many test cases. Roberts, et al42 used a shock tube to ignite aluminum, magnesium, and aluminum/magnesium alloy particles at pressures up to 34 atm in almost pure oxygen. Several thousand particles with a nominal diameter of 20 m were placed on a knife blade near the reflecting wall of the shock tube. The passing shock knocked the particles into free fall and ignited them where a photodiode recorded the light emitted during combustion. The researchers concluded that the burning time for the aluminum particles was not a strong function of pressure although a slight decrease in burning time was noted for increasing pressure. Bucher, et al 61,62,63 used a 150 W laser to ignite aluminum particles nominally 230 m in pure N2O, pure CO2, and in mixtures of O2, N2, Ar, and He. In-situ temperature and species distributions around individual burning particles were made using planar laser-induced fluorescence. Quenched particles were investigated with electron probe microanalysis. Bucher found that the flame diameter around a particle decreased with varying environment gas mixture in the following order: O2/Ar, O 2/ N 2, CO 2, and N2O. AlO was found to be an intermediate species in the combustion reaction while for the first time the presence of aluminum-oxy-nitrides was established. Measurements confirmed the idea that the aluminum oxides boiling point limits the flame temperature. Marion, et al43,44 measured the burning time of 40 micron aluminum at 1 to 40 atm in air, using a laser for ignition. Burning times were observed to decrease slightly with pressure increasing from 1 to 4 MPa. They also report calculated burning times for a modified Law model64 (very similar to the Brooks65 model). In calculating the decreasing size of the aluminum particle, they predicted a residual oxide particle approximately 70% of the size of the original aluminum particle, and increasing slightly with increasing pressure. Their predicted burning times are slightly greater than experimentally observed burning times, and they attribute that to the uncertainty in the density-diffusivity product which they used in their model. Dreizien and Trunov13 burned 150 m Al droplets in air at room temperature and 1 atm, similar to Prentice's work. They saw a region of spherically symmetric burning, followed by two regions of oscillating burning with the particles giving off smoke jets and spiraling.. Subsequently Dreizien47,48 tested 90 and 250 m particles in N2/O2, Ar/O2, He/O2 and pure O2 varying concentrations. He saw spinning and periodic brightness oscillations mainly in the N2/O2 case but also in He/O2. The size of observed oxide caps are much smaller with Ar/O2 and He/O2 than in air. He reports burning time data for
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the mixtures at varying concentrations, showing a significant decrease in burning time with increasing oxygen concentration. Rates in argon, nitrogen and helium fall virtually on top of each other He assumes this is due to the fact that the density-diffusivity product is approximately constant. He has also examined the aluminum flame structure both with and without gravity, using photomultiplier tubes.
Summary of Experimental Combustion Data The burning time data from as many of these sources as could be readily determined from their papers are presented in Figure 1. The data scatter is readily apparent. Several of the investigators only used a single particle size, varying the test conditions. For example, Dreizin47,48 did extensive testing varying gas concentrations, but with only two particle sizes. Melcher46 and Roberts 42 both did their testing with a single particle size, and much of Prentice's work39 was done with a single particle size. The differing test conditions lead to different burning times, introducing what appears as "data scatter" in Figure 1. The following sections discuss various other sources of data scatter. It is curious that the optimum fit of the data results in a D2 correlation. The following sections will also address the potential value of the burning time exponent.
10000 Olsen Turns & Wong Hartman Prentice 1000 Fr & Macek Wilson & W Davis Marion Zenin 100 Roberts Dreizin Melcher All data 10
Burning Time (msec)
t = 0.003 D 1.99 r2 = 0.87

1
All conditions
0.1 10 100 1000
Diameter (m)
Figure 1. Aluminum burning time measurements from eleven different sources, measured under a wide variety of conditions and test techniques. The D2 Law in Aluminum Combustion
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The geometrical aspect of particle or droplet combustion can be described by a simple mass balance. Assuming that the droplet is spherical and regresses uniformly, the mass burning rate will be
m= d dt
( volume density ) =
2 dr 3 3 r = 4r dt dt
d4
(2)
or, in terms of diameter

D D dD 2 2 d( 2 ) = D = dt 4 dt
(3)
Solving for the rate of change of the diameter gives

dD 2 dt = 4m D = constant 2 2 D = D o t where = 4m D
(4)
Solving for time

t= 2 2 Do D at burn out, D 0 t = Do 2
(5)
This is the D2 law. The question is how well it applies to the combustion of aluminum. First, it should be noted that the inherent assumption is that the spherical droplet is regressing uniformly. Many of the papers discussed above have noted that an oxide lobe develops on the burning aluminum. Thus, the droplet is NOT regressing uniformly. If one accounts for this, the complete spherical surface area is not available for combustion, leading to a reduced exponent in the Dn law. Second, it is assumed that the particle burns out to a diameter of zero. This is not consistent with experimental observations either. Many researchers have observed fragmentation of burning aluminum, indicating that towards the end of burning the residual aluminum/oxide cap can break up in a violent manner, resulting in more than one resultant particle. In addition, even when fragmentation does not occur, the residual oxide particle is often very large, due to porosity. The fact that the particle does not burn to a diameter of zero will also lead to a reduced exponent (less than two). Marion, et al44 recently used a model to calculate the burning time of aluminum. Within their model they calculate the size of the residual oxide, with fractional values of 0.6 to 0.7 compared to the original aluminum particle. The conclusion of these observations (including those of many of the above researchers) is that few would expect the exponent to have a value of two. A value of 1.5 to 1.8 is much more likely. Some of these observations are reinforced by a recent paper by Olsen and Beckstead45. A series of tests were performed interrupting the burning process with a glass slide, and then taking SEM photographs of the residual particles. Particles were hand selected to be as close to the same size (70m) as possible and then were interrupted at increasing distances from their ignition source. Figure 2 is an example. An interesting aspect of this SEM is that the right hand side of the figure is the Al2O3, while the much smaller lobe of the sample is the aluminum. This was determined from the smoke halo on the left and by X-Ray analysis, showing that the oxide cap can be larger than the original aluminum later in burning. The right hand lobe of the particle is oxide and the left hand, donut shaped part of the particle is aluminum. As part of the tests, a photodiode was used to register the light intensity from the burning particles. Figure 3 contains the photodiode traces for five different particles quenched at different distances. The particle in Figure 2 was the second trace in Figure 3. It is apparent (see also the full paper by Olsen) that if one uses the entire photodiode trace to determine the burning time of a particle, the majority of that time will represent the combustion of a small fraction of the aluminum. The majority of the aluminum is burned very quickly, but a photodiode will continue to register light, just from the hot, radiating oxide particle, with a very small fraction of aluminum still burning. From examining each of
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the five particles, it is evident that a large fraction of the aluminum was burned by the time the first particle was quenched, representing a burning time of ~1.5 msec. If one were to take the entire trace as the burning time a value of 6.5 msec would be recorded. The potential variability in choosing a "burning time" by different researchers can introduce a significant amount of data scatter when comparing data from different sources.
Figure 2. SEM micrograph of a 70 m aluminum particle quenched 2.5 to 3 msec after ignition.
Figure 3. Photodiode emission traces of five different 70 m aluminum particles quenched on glass slides at varying distances from the ignition point.
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In an analytical modeling study65, the relative amounts of aluminum and oxide were estimated as part of the calculated burning time. Those results are shown in Figure 4 for a 35 m particle burning in a simulated propellant atmosphere at one atmosphere. Two calculations are reported; one accounting for oxide accumulation on the particle and the other neglecting oxide buildup. The calculation ignoring oxide buildup gives a burning time the correlates with D2, while the calculation allowing for oxide accumulation gives a D1.5 relationship. These results are consistent with those of Marion, previously referenced, and represent another argument that the diameter exponent must be less than two. In most experimental investigations, the measured aluminum particle combustion has varied from the simple D2 model. For example, Pokhil, et al3, Law66, Prentice39, King67, Kuo 68, Brooks65 and Melcher, et al46 have all suggested a lower value of the exponent, varying from 2.0 to as small as 1.2. The statistical analysis that has been performed as part of this study indicates that an n of ~1.8 appears to correlate the data best.
Figure 4. Calculated effect of oxide accumulation on the surface of a burning particle, using the Brooks model65. Effects of Oxidizing Atmosphere The Effect of Oxygen Referring to the data scatter in Figure 1, it is apparent that much of the scatter is due to the different oxidizing (and inert) gases used in the different tests. Several investigators focused on the effect of the different environmental gases. Prentice performed experiments varying the oxygen content with the other gas being nitrogen or argon. These tests were done at one atmosphere with 250 m particles. His results are presented in Figure 5. The results show a very pronounced effect of oxygen concentration; the higher the concentration, the shorter the burning time. This is to be expected, because in a diffusion
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flame the concentration gradient is the principle driving force for the flame, and higher concentrations should result in shorter burning times. Prentice also varying the particle diameter along with varying the oxygen concentration. Those results are presented in Figure 6, plotted as burning time versus diameter. The data of Turns and Wong and of Zenin are included for reference, and the overall correlation curve is included also. These results show the same effect as that of Figure 5, but within the context of the usual burning time curve.
1000 Argon Nitrogen
Burning Time (msec)

100
1 atm 250 m
10
20
40 Percentage of Oxygen
60
80
100
Figure 5. Prentice39 data for 250 m particle burning in oxygen/nitrogen and oxygen/argon. The Effect of Diffusivity More recently Dreizin 47 has reproduced data very similar to Prentice's, varying the oxygen concentration with inert gases of nitrogen, argon and helium. His results substantiate Prentice's results in a very quantitative manner. Using helium adds another dimension to the data. The differential equation describing diffusion contains the product of diffusivity times density both multiplying the concentration gradient. Thus it is important to consider the potential effect of diffusivity in the combustion process. In general, the diffusivity is proportional to temperature to the 1.65 power and inversely proportional to the pressure. Thus, the product of the density times the diffusivity should be approximately independent of pressure, but slightly dependent on the ambient temperature (approximately the 0.65 power). Helium has a higher diffusivity than nitrogen or argon, but it has a much lower molecular weight (which enters in to the product of density times diffusivity). Thus, the low molecular weight can compensate for a high diffusivity. Dreizin's data (for 200m particles) are plotted in Figure 7, comparing them to Prentice's 250 m data. The data show that the burning time decreases, going from nitrogen to argon to helium, for low concentrations of oxygen. The molecular weight is not in the same order, i.e argon is 40, nitrogen is 28 and helium is four. A similar effect was postulated by Widener69 in the correlation that he developed. He included the effect of diffusivity, particularly that of hydrogen. He did see a consistent effect,
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dependent on the amount of hydrogen produced from the water/aluminum reaction. This observation warrants further invstigation.
1000 Turns & Wong Zenin All data 25% O2/N2
Burning Time (msec)
33% O2/N2 50% O2/N2 75% O2/N2 25% O2/Ar 33% O2/Ar 50% O2/Ar 75% O2/Ar 100
25% O2
33% O 2
Increasing Oxygen
50% O 2 Prentice data Varying Dia and O 2 in N 2 and Ar

300 400 500 600
75% O2 t = 0.003 D 1.99 r2 = 0.87

100 200
Diameter (m)
Figure 6. Prentice data varying particle size and burning in oxygen/nitrogen and oxygen/argon.
39
1000
N2
Ar
Burning Time (msec)
He 100
Dreizen/Ar/200 Dreizen/N2/200 Dreizen/He/200 Prentice/Ar/250 Prentice/N2/250 10 10 Oxygen Concentration 100
Figure 7. Data from Prentice39 and Dreizin47 varying oxygen concentration in nitrogen, argon and helium.
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The Effect of CO2 and Water Determining the effect of CO2 and water on the burning time has proven somewhat elusive. It is difficult to create laboratory tests where one can systematically vary the concentrations of CO2 or water. Most of the data the involve CO2 and water come from tests involving either propellant or a gaseous flame. Olsen varied the amount of water in his experiments by utilizing a hydrogen flame, giving a greater amount of water than normal. Unfortunately, it was still difficult to make systematic variations in the water content. Thus, the available data are much less definitive than the oxygen data discussed above. In Widener's previous correlation he arrived at relative values for oxygen water and CO2 of 1:0.58:0.25. Recently Zenin49,50 has burned aluminum in air and in CO2, giving an excellent set of data for determining the influence of CO 2. He also burned the same size particles in mixtures of oxygen/nitrogen and oxygen/argon, similar to Dreizin and Prentice, but not over a range of concentrations. Figure 8 contains his data for 220 and 350 m particles in 20% oxygen and both nitrogen and argon. He then burned the same size particles in 100% CO2. The burning times in 100% CO2 were essentially the same as in 20% O 2. The conclusion is that CO 2 is only ~20% as effective an oxidizer as O2. The averaged data from Prentice for his 250 m particles in O2/argon and Dreizin's 200 m particles also in O2/argon are included for reference.
1000 Zenin O2 350 m data Zenin CO2 350 m data
O2/N2/350 O2/Ar/350
Burning Time (msec)
Zenin O2 ~220 m data
Zenin CO2 220 m data
CO2/220 O2/N2/220 t/Ar/220
Prentice O2/Ar 250 m data
CO2/220 Dreizen/200
100
Dreizen O2/Ar 200 m data
Prentice 250
10 Oxygen Concentration (%)
100
Figure 8. Zenin's data49 comparing rates for O 2 and CO 2 as oxiziders. Data from Prentice and Dreizin are included for reference (see Figure 7). From the available data there were no studies that provided data on the effect of water that were conclusive. Brooks65 suggested defining an effective oxidizer, weighting the relative effects of oxygen, water and CO2. Xeff = CO2 + aH2O CH2O + aCO2 C CO2
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Using his model calculations in his original publication, he arrived at coefficients of 1:0.533:0.135. The results from various studies are summarised in Table II. Based on the current study, the CO2 coefficient would appear to be ~0.22. Several different ways of analyzing the data have all led to the same value. This is apparently due to Zenin's data. Because he measured burning times in 100% CO2, that large percentage apparently weights the data significantly, yielding the coefficient of 0.22. As mentioned above, data varying the concentration of water are very difficult to achieve, and the results there are some what inconclusive. The current study indicates that a value on the order of 0.5 to 0.6 yields relatively consistent results. It is interesting to note that the agreement between the different studies is surprisingly consistent. Table II - Relative Oxidizer Coefficients for Water and CO2 Year Belyaev
10 29
O2 1 1 1 1
H2O 1 0.667 0.533 0.67 0.5-0.6
CO2 1 0.333 0.135 0.33 0.22
Source Data? Model Model Model Data
1968 1979 1995 1998 2000
Kudryavtsev Brooks65 Widener

69
This study
Effects of Pressure and Ambient Temperature Studies on the effect of pressure have also been rather inconclusive. In the early Russian work, it was proposed that the pressure has a small effect at low pressure, but no effect above ~20 atm. This may be a reasonable approximation. The recent work by Marion concludes essentially the same as the early Russian work. Using the effective oxidizer definition with the values noted in the previous section, all of the available data where pressure was a variable were plotted as t.Xeff/Dn versus pressure to determine if there were a trend. The data scatter is still very large, but using a pressure exponent of -0.1, as Belyaev and Marion did, yields the best results. Using the diameter exponent of 1.8 produced a slightly reduced scatter in the data relative to using an exponent of 1.5.
Studies on the effect of initial temperature have also been somewhat inconclusive. Virtually no data exist where some one has systematically varied the initial temperature. The statistical analysis of the entire data set gave a minimum error with the initial temperature exponent of -0.2. Using the diameter exponent of 1.8 produced a slightly increased scatter in the data relative to using an exponent of 1.5.
Summary Correlation of the Data Based on the analysis of the entire set of data, the following equation is proposed to estimate burning times of aluminum particles:
tb = a Dn Xeff P
0.1
To
0.2
(6)
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where Xeff = CO2 + 0.6 CH2O + 0.22 C CO2
a = 0.0244 for n = 1.5 and a = 0.00735 for n = 1.8 and pressure is in atmospheres, temperature in K, diameter in m, and time in msec. The results are shown in Figure 9, where the modified ordinate is tb Xeff P0.1 To0.2. The raw data from Figure 1 are also re-plotted in Figure 9 to provide a basis of comparison. A regression analysis for the modified data gives an r2 value of 0.964 while the corresponding regression of the raw data gives an r2 of 0.87. The reduced data scatter between the correlation and the raw data is readily apparent. The most significant effect contributing to the reduced scatter is the utilization of the effective oxidizer definition. In spite of the reduced scatter, it is somewhat discouraging to see the relatively large data scatter that still exists. This is apparently due to the diversity of methods used to obtain the data, and the different methods of reducing the data, i.e. defining particle burn-out.
1000000 All raw data Optimized times 100000
10000
r2 = 0.964
Burning Time (msec)
1000
100
r2 = 0.87
10
All conditions
0.1 10 100 1000
Diameter (m)
Figure 9. A comparison of aluminum burning time measurements with the proposed correlation of burning times, multiplied by the effective oxidizer and initial temperature and pressure raised to a power.
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Modeling Aluminum Combustion

This section of the paper summarizes the modeling work by Liang and Beckstead69,70,71,72,73,74 simulating aluminum particle combustion at both laboratory and rocket motor conditions. Background The adiabatic flame temperature for aluminum combustion is typically greater than the boiling point of aluminum. For example, in the case of aluminum combustion in oxygen at 1 atm, aluminum has a boiling point of 2791K, which is below the flame temperature of 4000K1. The heat feed back from the flame causes the aluminum at the particle surface to vaporize and the vapor proceeds to burn homogeneously in the gas phase with the oxidizer at some distance from the particle surface. There are a few exceptions however, as in the case of aluminum combustion in CO where aluminum burns heterogeneously.61 Aluminum sub-oxides are the main initial products at the flame zone. The aluminum sub-oxides condense to form liquid aluminum oxide. In the flame zone, the heat release, if sufficient, is used to dissociate the main combustion product, liquid aluminum oxide. Due to the dissociation, the maximum temperature is maintained at the dissociation temperature of the oxide until all the oxide is dissociated. The flame zone position and thickness are both functions of the oxidizer and pressure. During solid propellants combustion under rocket motor conditions, the embedded aluminum particle is in the molten state on the solid propellant surface due to the heat from combustion of other solid propellant ingredients. Agglomeration of the aluminum particles occurs on the surface of the regressing solid propellant. The agglomerated molten particles at the propellant surface lift off from the propellant surface due to the force of the gases from the propellant surface. The aluminum particles then undergo homogeneous combustion until they reach the nozzle of the rocket motor. The major product of aluminum combustion is liquid aluminum oxide, which is formed from the condensation of aluminum sub-oxides. A fraction of the oxide diffuses back and deposits on the particle surface and is termed as the oxide cap. The oxide cap tends to accumulate on the lower end of the falling particle. The accumulation of the oxide on the particle surface and the porosity of the oxide cap result in a final oxide cap size of the order of the initial particle size. The other fraction of the oxide is transported outwards and is termed as the oxide smoke. The oxide smoke can be seen as a trail of white smoke behind the particle. The oxide smoke dampens the acoustic instabilities in a rocket motor and hence the quantity of smoke formed is important in a rocket motor. The oxide cap results in fragmentation and jetting. The burn time is proportional to the initial diameter raised to the power of the order of 1 to 2, which is in contrast to the exponent on the diameter being exactly 2 for hydrocarbon droplet combustion1. This is apparently due to the formation of the oxide cap, which increases the burn time. The oxide cap effect on the burning time depends on the initial size of the particle too. Liang and Becksteads Model
The model by Liang and Beckstead is a 2-dimensional, unsteady state, evaporation-diffusion-kinetics controlled numerical model. The physical interpretation of the model is depicted in Figure.10. The model simulates the combustion of a single aluminum particle, after ignition, free falling in an atmosphere containing the oxidizer. The model has been developed to describe aluminum combustion in rocket motors. The ignition temperature is typically in the range of 1700-2200K. In rocket motors, the aluminum particle usually ignites near the propellant surface. Hence in this model, ignition has been assumed to have occurred initially and the model concentrates on the combustion after the ignition.
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Flame Zone
Convection
Heat O2,H2O,CO2 H2, CO
Conduction Aluminum Particle and Oxide Cap
Vaporized Aluminum
Convection
Oxide Products (AlO, AlO2, ...) Radiation
Figure 10. Conceptual schematic of the combustion process surrounding an aluminum particle For the sake of convenience, gravity is taken to act in the horizontal direction from the right to left direction. The particle falls with some acceleration, after being released from an initial velocity. The acceleration has been taken to be due to gravity for the calculations presented in this paper. Deceleration has been taken to occur due to the drag and the effect of the large flux of aluminum due to evaporation from the particle surface. Since ignition is taken to have occurred, the initial particle surface temperature is taken to be the boiling point of aluminum at the prevailing pressure. A flux of the oxidizer from the surroundings towards the aluminum particle and a flux of aluminum from the particle surface outwards results in the fuel and oxidizer reacting homogeneously to form aluminum sub-oxides and other products in accord with some kinetic mechanisms. The aluminum sub-oxides undergo a reaction followed by homogeneous condensation to form liquid aluminum oxide. Diffusion and convection results in a portion of the condensed aluminum oxide depositing on the particle surface to form an oxide cap. The oxide cap blocks the evaporation of the aluminum from under the region it covers and thus causes a modification in the species and temperature profiles. The oxide cap also provides heat to the evaporation of the aluminum due to the higher temperature of the oxide cap than the particle surface. The heat required for the vaporization of aluminum is provided by the heat feed back from the flame which includes the radiation heat from the flame, heat conduction from gases surrounding the particle and the heat due to the deposition of the oxide cap. The particle radius changes with time due to the vaporization of aluminum and the deposition of oxide cap. The model considers the r and directions (in spherical coordinates) and solves the continuity, r and momentum, energy and species continuity equations simultaneously to obtain the species and temperature profiles and the burn time. There seems to be no accepted method in the literature for calculating the burn times for aluminum particle combustion. This model estimates the burn time as the time required for the particle to be 95% consumed. Although experimental results have indicated that the flame zone is within a distance of 10 particle radii, the calculation domain for this model covers 60 particle radii to ensure that the input conditions are totally unaffected by the combustion. Due to convection, all the input of oxidizers from the surroundings to the calculation domain is taken as from the left half of Figure.10 and all the output of gases, including inert and product gases, to the surroundings is taken as from the right half. The symmetricity of the flame is affected by the convection and the oxide cap. The model is capable of handling different oxidizers, pressures, input enthalpies and accelerations. The transport and thermodynamic properties are calculated using the CHEMKIN transport and thermodynamic package 75, thus relaxing the common assumption of constant physical properties41,66,67,76. The transport and thermodynamic properties are calculated for every node for each time step for the various species. The fragmentation and jetting processes have not been considered, since no concrete rationale has been established to describe these processes. By using a numerical model, many of the simplifications required for an analytical model66,41,76 have been relaxed.
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The assumptions made in the model are: 1) The particle is spherical 2) Flow around the particle is laminar 3) The local homogenous flow (LHF) model is applicable to the liquid aluminum oxide smoke. The flow around an aluminum particle is usually laminar in rocket motor conditions, due to the small size of the particle (typically diameter is less than 200m). The model had been used initially for investigating air and O 2-Ar at atmospheric pressure, since most of the available experimental data are for those conditions. These data served to validate the model. However, as has been mentioned previously, the typical oxidizer in a rocket motor is CO2 and H 2O. Hence, the investigation of aluminum combustion with the CO2-Ar and H2O-Ar oxidizers, both at atmospheric pressure and higher pressures has been made. It may be noted that the oxidizer in a rocket motor for aluminum combustion consists of a high percentage of CO, but aluminum combustion in CO has not been considered. This is because aluminum burns heterogeneously in CO due to thermodynamic considerations, and since surface reactions are involved, it can be expected that the reaction rate will be slow when compared with the homogeneous gas phase reactions with the other constituents like CO2 and H2O. The atmospheric case investigation has been done for the CO2 and H 2O oxidizers to compare the results with some experimental data pertaining to species and temperature profiles. This has been followed with a study of high pressure combustion in a mixture of gases that resemble the oxidizer in a rocket motor.
Aluminum Combustion Mechanism Many of the previous models have assumed infinite kinetics.2,64,65 There has been some question as to whether aluminum combustion is purely diffusion controlled or if kinetics can have an influence.67,69 Experiments have also shown that the flame zone thickness, which is also an indicator of the pace of the kinetics, varies with each oxidizer.62,63 In the case of CO as the oxidizer, it has been suggested from experimental data that the combustion could be heterogeneous,63 which might lead to a kinetically controlled process as surface reactions are expected to be slower than gas phase reactions. Gremyachkin 31 had suggested in his modeling work that for small particles, the reaction could be kinetics controlled. One main disadvantage of the diffusion controlled combustion assumption is that the precise species and temperature profiles cannot be calculated. The approach taken was to include the full kinetics and examine the limiting factors in the combustion process. In this paper, four oxidizer mixtures, namely, O2Ar, O2-N2, CO2-Ar, H2O-Ar are considered. The kinetic mechanism in the model consists of surface reactions and gas phase reactions for the formation of the aluminum sub-oxides. The aluminum sub-oxides later react and condense to form liquid aluminum oxide. The path to condensation consists of two steps; a homogeneous gas phase reaction, followed by homogeneous condensation. The combustion mechanism accounts for the first kinetic step of the two-step process, while the second step is described with the condensation model in the next subsection. Unfortunately, the kinetic data in the literature for all the required aluminum reactions is not very accurate for the temperature regime considered. Reliable kinetic data for the Al-O2 reactions has been published only recently. 63 As for the Al-CO2 reaction, even though the data have been obtained only for the temperature range of 300-1900 K, the lack of other kinetic data has forced the extrapolation of the available data to higher temperature ranges.77 These data had been used by King67 for his modeling work. The kinetic data for the Al-H2O reaction has been obtained only for the 298-1174 K temperature range, but as in the Al-CO2 reaction, the lack of data has forced the extrapolation of the available data to
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the 2000-4000 K temperature range.77 There has been little investigation done into the probable condensation paths for the aluminum oxide formation when the oxidizers are CO2 or H2O. Hence, the condensation paths in the presence of CO2 and H2O oxidizers are taken to be the same as the pure O2 oxidizer case.77 Surface reactions:
Al(l) Al( g) Al(l) + AlO( g) k Al2O(g )
2
(R1) (R2)
Gas phase reactions:

Al(g ) + O2 k 3 AlO + O
k 3 = 9.76 1013 exp( 80 T ) cm mol s
3 1 1
(R3)
AlO +O2 k 4 AlO2 + O

k 4 = 4.63 1014 exp( 10008 T ) cm
3
(R4)
mol 1s 1
Al + CO2 k AlO + CO
5
(R5)
13
k 5 = 2.5 10
0.5
exp(1 0 3 0 /T ) + 1.4 10 T
0.5
exp( 1 4 0 0 0 / ) T
Al + H2 O k AlO + H2
6
(R6)
12
k 6 = (1.9 1.5) 10
exp( (442.87 221.44)/ T ) + (1.6 0.7) 10
10
exp((2868.6 452.94)/ T )
O + O + M k O2 + M
7
(R7)
15 0.5
k 7 = 6.17 10 T
exp(0 T )
O + N 2 k NO + N
8
(R8)
12
k 8 = 1.80 10 exp( 38345.14 T )
N + O2 k NO + O
9
(R9)
09
k 9 = 6.40 10 exp( 3125.26 T )
Dissociation reaction:
Al2O3(l ) k 2 AlO +
10
1 O 2 2
(R10)
Condensation:
2 AlO + 1 O2 k Al2 O3 (l) 2
11 12
(R11) (R12) (R13) (R14) (R15) (R16) (R17)
2 AlO + CO 2 k Al2 O (l ) + CO 3 2 AlO + H 2 O Al2O3( l) + H2

k13
Al2O + O2 k Al2 O3( l)

14
Al2O + 2CO 2 Al 2O3( l ) + 2CO

k15
Al2O + 2H 2O Al2O3(l ) + 2 H2
k16
AlO2 + AlO2 k Al2 O3 (l) +

17
1 O 2 2
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The rate of the first reaction, which represents the rate of vaporization of the molten aluminum, is given by the boundary condition (Equation 34, see below). While the rate of vaporization depends on the surface temperature (i.e., boiling point of the aluminum metal), the boiling point depends on the pressure of the system. The vast majority of earlier models have assumed that the temperature of the aluminum particle is fixed at the boiling point of aluminum at atmospheric pressure. The relation between the boiling point and the vapor pressure of the aluminum vapor has been expressed in this model as
Tboil = (P/7.6673 10-43 )1/12.266
(7)
The dissociation temperature is a function of the pressure of the system too. It is expressed as a function of the partial pressure of the aluminum sub-oxides and aluminum oxides using the Clausius-Clayperon equation. The relation between the dissociation temperature, which is the upper limit of the flame temperature, and the vapor pressure of aluminum oxide is
Tflame = 1/(0.000250501-14.132 10-6 ln(P))
(8)
The second reaction is assumed to be a diffusion controlled surface reaction. Gaseous Al2O gets transported away from the particle after the reaction. All the gas phase reactions except (R5) and (R6) have been represented by fundamental reactions. As explained previously, the lack of sufficient reliable kinetic data has been a limiting factor in the number of equations considered. Reaction (R10) is not represented by a rate expression, instead the dissociation reaction keeps dissociation temperature of aluminum oxide as the upper limit of the flame temperature. The following equation is solved to determine dAlO to keep Tij=Tflame.
fij (Tij , dAlO ) Tflame = 0
(9)
The reactions (R11)-(R17) are the first step of the condensation. It is assumed that
k11 = k12 = k13 = k 14 = k15 = k16 = k17 =
cond
(10)
Condensation Model Experimental studies have shown the presence of aluminum sub-oxides near the particle surface63 during the combustion process and the main end product to be liquid aluminum oxide. The aluminum sub-oxides must thus be consumed in the production of liquid aluminum oxide. A simple kinetic mechanism alone cannot be considered for the production of aluminum oxide from aluminum sub-oxides due to the thermodynamics. Thermodynamically, the heat of the reaction of aluminum sub-oxides to form liquid aluminum oxide is sufficient to cause the dissociation of the newly formed liquid aluminum oxide. Hence, there must be a mechanism beyond a simple kinetic mechanism to form the liquid aluminum oxide. This is simulated in the Liang & Beckstead condensation model. The condensation model consists of a two-step process as shown below.
aCm + bCn Al2 O3( g) Al2O3(l )
kr rcon
(R18)
The first step is a chemical reaction that gives gaseous aluminum oxide (R11-R17). It can be described by an Arrhenius expression. The second step is a condensation process of gaseous aluminum oxide to liquid aluminum oxide. It may be noted here that gaseous aluminum oxide has not been observed experimentally and that liquid aluminum oxide would be expected to dissociate before vaporizing. However, from calculations, it has been observed that the rate of the condensation step is far greater than that of the kinetic step. The gaseous aluminum oxide can thus be considered as an intermediate product with a very short life time. The intermediate product nature of gaseous aluminum oxide, combined with the complexity of the combustion process, warrants some assumptions and the condensation model seems to be reasonable. The number of reactions considered for the first step have been limited by the kinetic data availability in the literature.
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Homogeneous condensation is assumed to occur for the second step. Homogeneous condensation refers to condensation processes where the nuclei formation for condensation occurs randomly due to interactions between the constituents in the vapor phase and is not catalyzed by surfaces, ions or impurity molecules. Homogeneous nucleation can occur only in supersaturated vapors.78 It can be described by classical homogeneous nucleation theory. 78 A nuclei can grow into a droplet if it can attain a size greater than a critical radius. The critical radius is calculated as the radius for which the G is a maximum for a given supersaturation.78 For the first reaction step, the rate expression is
a b & 1 = kr Cm Cn
(11)
For the second condensation step, the rate expression is
& 2 = C c rcon
(12)
where rcon is the nucleation rate. The rate of the nucleation is calculated as the rate of sticking of molecules impinging upon the nuclei with critical radius. From homogeneous nucleation theory,78
P 16 rcon = ( i kT )(2 m ) 2 (m )n1 exp 3 3 3k T (lnS )2 3 2
*
(13)
where m is the mass of a molecule, is the liquid density, ni is the number of critical size clusters per unit volume, is the volume per molecule in the liquid state. The total rate for the two-step condensation process is
a b a b Cc kr rcon Cm Cn rcon Cm Cn = = a b a b 1 1 kr Cm Cn + Cc rcon Cm Cn rcon + + & & 1 2 Cc kr
& cond =
(14)
Next it is assumed in the model that the denominator in Equation (14) does not change significantly during the condensation. So the equation reduces to
a b & cond = Krcon Cm Cn
(15)
where K becomes an empirical constant. In Equation (14) the supersaturation S of the vapor phase has a large effect on the condensation process. It has been experimentally observed78 that in homogeneous nucleation, for nuclei to start forming, the supersaturation should exceed a critical level and that the condensation rate increases more than proportionally with an increase in supersaturation. For a typical condensation process
S= p p
(16)
where p is the partial pressure of the vapor in system and p is the vapor pressure of the condensed phase. In the aluminum combustion process, p is zero since aluminum oxide dissociates before it vaporizes. So Equation (16) cannot be used in Equation (15). Instead Equation (17) has been used to determine S.
S =1+
pi
i
pAl
(17)
where pi is the partial pressure of species i, and i= AlO , AlO2 , Al2O . The partial pressure term in (16) is thus substituted for by the sum of the partial pressures of the aluminum sub-oxides and aluminum, the
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components of aluminum oxide dissociation. It is difficult to define a vapor pressure for aluminum oxide, due to the dissociation processes. The vapor pressure term in (16) is taken to be the partial pressure of aluminum in (8). In the condensation process, liquid aluminum oxide is formed from aluminum suboxides, which in turn are formed from aluminum. Hence, the more the partial pressure of aluminum, the lesser is the concentration of aluminum sub-oxides, and in turn the lesser is the concentration of liquid aluminum oxide, which should imply a lesser supersaturation according to (13). The assumption for vapor pressure of aluminum oxide in (17) can thus be explained qualitatively. Many of the previous models have assumed condensation to take place in an infinitely thin zone2,31 or on the particle surface.41,79 This model has relaxed that assumption and the condensation depends on factors such as species concentration, supersaturation, temperature, and hence on the position. It has been assumed that the oxide deposits uniformly on the particle surface and migrates to the downstream side to coalesce into an oxide cap. It has been observed experimentally that the oxide does not dissolve in the metal, but rather stays on the surface.45 The coalescence has been observed experimentally45 and has been explained by the difference in the surface tension of the molten metal and oxide. The hollow nature of oxide caps is not accounted for in the model. Whether any reactions occur between the oxide cap and the metal on the particle surface has not been established clearly experimentally. Hence, that possibility has not been considered here. h1
oxide cap
V
Figure 11. Model of oxide deposition on the aluminum particle surface.
The deposition height h1 shown in Figure 11, can be described by the equation
h13 3Rh2 + 1 3V =0
(18)
where V is the volume of the cap calculated from the Al2O3(l ) diffusion to the particle surface. It may be noted that the radius and mass of the particle changes with time due to the aluminum vaporization and due to the aluminum oxide deposition, thus causing a change in u , the particle velocity with time. According to the model, the oxide cap inhibits aluminum vaporization from the portion of the sphere it covers. This is because the oxide has almost twice the density of the metal and so the metal cannot diffuse through the oxide. The particle surface temperature does not exceed the dissociation temperature of the oxide but is above the melting point of the oxide. So the oxide exists in a molten state throughout. The model does not account for any physical processes that may be involved in the initial bonding of the diffusing oxide to the particle surface. Also, the time required for the diffusion of the oxide to the particle surface is assumed to be the limiting factor in the deposition. In other words, the deposition is assumed to be diffusion controlled. General Mathematical Model The general form of the governing equation can be written as
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+ (V) = ) + S ( t
(19)
In spherical coordinates,
V) = ( 1 1 (r 2 ur)+ (u sin ) 2 rsin r r 1 1 1 ( r 2 ) + 2 ( sin ) r r sin r 2 r
(20) (21)
)= (
For the continuity equation, =1, =0 and S =0 For the r-direction momentum equation, = ur , = and
S =
2 p u 1 2 ur 1 u + + 2 r + sin r r r r r sin r r
(22)
r r 4u 2u cot 4 2 2 2 u 2 + V 2 + 2r + 2 r V r 3r r r 3r r
[ (
)]
(23)
For the -direction momentum equation, = u , = and

S = 1 p ur u 1 u 1 + + 2 sin + 2 ( 2ur sin ) r r sin r r sin r 1 1 2 u (ru ) + r12 r r ur r sin 3 sin V + r r r 2 r + ur cot r r2 r ur u cot 2 V 2 r + r 3
( )
(24)
For the species conservation equations, = Yi , = Di (i Al2O3(l ) ), Al O =

2 3( l)
and S = i A
(25)
where Yi is the mass fraction of species i, A is the Schmidt number (with A =0.5) and i= Al, AlO, Al2 O,AlO2 , O2 , O,Al2O3(l ) , YN = 1 Yi
2
i N2
To ensure a balance of the mass, the calculated diffusion velocities, Vi = uniform velocity vector to keep
Di Yi , are corrected by a Yi
Yi Vi = 0
For the energy equation, =T, ( ) =
S = 1 (kT ) and Cpm
(26)
N N v v v 1 Dp N [ hi i YiVi (C piT) + (YiVi f i )] Cpm Dt i i i
(27)
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where fi is the body force of unit mass of species i. Introducing non-dimensional quantities, the non-dimensional form of equation (19) is
(R*) 1 RRo (r* *) dR + (*V *) = ( ) + S + * t Ruref Ro uref r * dt
(28)
Boundary Conditions
(1) Inlet condition: The model considers the particle falling downward under the effect of gravity after being released from an initial position. The particle thus encounters the oxidizer at a velocity u (t) in a coordinate system that considers the particle to be stationary. The inlet conditions are the conditions at a distance of 60 particle radii from the center of the particle. the inlet conditions are not affected by the combustion process.
* u = sin , ur = cos , T * = 1, u = u (t) *
(29)
For O2-N2 oxidizer, Y0 = 0.233 , YN = 0.767 Yi = 0.(i O2 , N 2 )

2 2
For O2-Ar oxidizer, Y0 = 0.233 , YAr = 0.767 Yi = 0.(i O2 , Ar )

2
For CO2-Ar oxidizer, YC0 = 0.233 , YAr = 0.767 Yi = 0.(i CO2 , Ar )

2
For H2O-Ar oxidizer, YH 0 = 0.233 , YAr = 0.767 Yi = 0.(i H 2 O , Ar )

2
The inlet velocity u (t) is governed by

mp 2 v v du = mp g CD u A u2 n i ds r dt 2 s
(30)
The first term on the right hand side represents the gravity term; the second term represents the drag term, where CD = 2 4 / R. e Creeping flow around the particle is assumed, since the Reynolds number is low due to the small size of the particle. The last term on the right hand side is integration on the particle surface to consider the contribution of the evaporation to the particle movement. (2) Outlet condition:
* =0 r
(31)
(3) Symmetrical condition:

* = 0, u = 0 , ( = 0, )
(32)
The symmetrical condition has been assumed for simplicity. (4) Particle surface interface condition: Energy balance:
kg Tg r
s
Q2 m AlO s +Qdep + Qrad = mvap hvap
(33)
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The physical interpretation of this equation is that the heat required for the evaporation of the droplet and the reaction (R2) is provided by the heat feed back from conduction of heat from gases near the particle surface, radiation heat flux from the flame and the heat due to deposition of condensed aluminum oxide. The radiation term consists of the difference between the radiation flux to the particle and the radiation flux from the particle. The shape factors are not considered. There is no evaporation in the area covered by the oxide cap. The oxide cap is at a temperature far greater than the particle surface. This causes energy Qdep to be transferred to the particle for evaporation from the depositing oxide cap. The temperature of the particle surface has an upper limit of the boiling point of aluminum, at which point the evaporation starts to occur. The Stefan flow is assumed not to affect the heat transfer to the particle surface.
m vap + m AlO s M Al O = s ur M AlO
2 s
(34)
According to (34), the bulk flow from the particle outwards is due to the flow of Al and Al2O. It may be noted that the two surface reactions (R1) and (R2) result only in the products Al and Al2O, which leave the surface and move outwards as they are both gases. It is interesting to analyze the direction of bulk velocity away from the surface. While the direction of the bulk velocity away from the surface is determined from the conservation equations and boundary conditions, it may be noted that one of the main factors influencing the bulk velocity, apart from the inlet velocity of the oxidizer is the velocity of the products. In a typical metal combustion, the volumetric rate of the products is lesser than that of the reactants. Even though the formation of an oxide cap in aluminum combustion results in diffusion of the products towards the particle, in a combustion experiment with a stationary aluminum particle, the bulk velocity in the infinity- flame front zone may be expected to be towards the particle, while the bulk velocity in the flame front- particle zone may be expected to be towards the flame front. The presence of an input velocity may change the direction of the bulk velocity, but the surface condition remains the same and (34) still holds. Species balance:
YAlO = 0
(35)
This relation is because reaction (R2) is assumed to be diffusion controlled so that no AlO should be found at the particle surface.
YAl ( g) = pAl M Al p M
(36)
This relation assumes the ideal gas law, which is valid at such high temperatures.
DAl O
2
YAl O
2
+ m AlO s
s
MAl O = ur YAl O MAlO

2 2
(37)
Equation (3728) implies that the net rate of Al2O transport, which is equal to the rate of Al2O diffusing outwards, is equal to the rate of production of Al2O. Any other flux of Al2O diffusing will be countered by the bulk flow at the surface. In other words, there is no accumulation of Al2O on the surface and whatever Al 2O is produced on the surface is transported from the surface, which is to be expected since Al2O is a gas.
Di Yi r = urYi
s s
i Al,Al2O, Al 2O3
(38)
Equation (38) implies that the net flux of all the other species other than Al2O, Al2O3 and Al at the surface is zero, or in other words there is no accumulation of the other species on the surface, which is to be expected since all those species are gaseous.
T = 34860 [12.537 ln(p )] Al
(King67)
(39)
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This relation is used to determine the partial pressure of aluminum at the surface, from the particle surface temperature.
Figure 12 Computation domain for the numerical method. The fully implicit SIMPLER80 algorithm is used to solve the partial differential equations in which QUICK scheme is used. A staggered grid system is used where the velocities are defined at the control volume surface and scalar quantities are defined at the center of the control volume. The grid is uniform in the direction with 71 nodes. Non-uniform grids are used in the r-direction in order to improve the accuracy. There are 80 nodes in the r-direction extending upto 60 times the particle radius. The smallest distance between grids in the r-direction is near the particle surface and is about 0.0001 ro. The gas phase grid used in this study is shown in Figure 12. The role in constructing a non-uniform grid QUICK scheme is to always use two upwind nodes and one downwind node as shown in Figures 13 and 14. For example, consider the control volume i below when ue > 0,
i 1
i x1
e x2
i +1
Figure 13. Construction of QUICK scheme when ue > 0

( x1 x2 ) 2 x 3x1 x +x e = i + i1 + 2 i + 1 2 i+1 4x1 x 2 4x1 4x 2
and
(40)
when ue < 0,
i 0
i +1
i+2
x1
x2
Figure 14. Construction of QUICK scheme when ue < 0
5 - 28
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x (2 x x1 ) 2 x2 3x1 x12 e = i +1 + 1 2 i + i+1 + i+ 2 4x 1x2 4 (x1 x 2 ) 4x2 (x 1 x2 )
and
(41)
Modeling Results and Discussion

To check the validity of the unsteady simulation, an unsteady flow passing a sphere was simulated, calculating the wake development as a function of time. The results were very reasonable, and the final wake length is in good agreement with available experimental data.81 Model calculations have been made for a variety of conditions, to help validate the model and to explore the effects of different gases and conditions. An analysis of the temperature profiles in Figure 15 shows that the flame temperature for the three oxidizers, O2, H2O and CO 2 are different, which is to be expected when thermodynamics are considered. The flame temperature of CO2 is lesser than the dissociation temperature of aluminum oxide, because the enthalpy of the reaction and hence the heat released is not sufficient to raise the flame temperature to the dissociation temperature.62 The flame temperature is equal to the dissociation temperature for both the cases of the O2 and H2O, which implies that some of the product liquid aluminum oxide gets dissociated to limit the flame temperature.
4500 4000 3500
T (K)
3000 2500 2000 1500 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 r/ro
CO2
H2O
O2
Figure 15 Temperature profiles for 21% O2/Ar, 21% CO2/Ar, and 21% H2O/Ar cases, Tamb=300 K, P=1 atm.
Figures 16-18 show the 2-dimensional view of the calculated temperature profile around a burning particle for the three environments corresponding to the results in Figure 7.
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Figure 16. Predicted temperature distribution for aluminum particle combustion in 21%O2/Ar, Tamb=300K, P= 1 atm, d=230 microns.
Figure 17. Predicted temperature distribution for aluminum particle combustion in 21%CO2/Ar, Tamb=300K, P=1 atm, d=230 microns.
Figure 18 Predicted temperature distribution for aluminum particle combustion in 21%H2O/Ar, Tamb=300K, P=1 atm, d=230 microns.
5 - 30
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The flame zone for aluminum combustion includes the reaction zone and the condensation zone, both of which release a large amount of energy. The flame zone can be discerned from the plateau in the temperature profile, wherein the temperature is maintained at the dissociation temperature of the aluminum oxide. The flame zone location has been predicted to be farthest from the particle for the case of the CO2 oxidizer, and closest to the particle in the case of the H2O oxidizer. Turns et al observed in their experiments that the flame zone was closer to the particle surface in the presence of H2O than without H 2O. One of the reasons attributable to this behavior is the value of the diffusivities. While H2O has the highest diffusivity in Ar, CO2 has the lowest diffusivity of the three oxidizers in Ar. The higher diffusivity results in the oxidizer diffusing relatively faster towards the particle than the aluminum diffusing outwards. In all the three cases, the aluminum diffuses through an almost similar mixture, dominated by argon. However, this argument holds good only when the convection is comparable to the diffusion, which is true for the present case, wherein the velocity has been assumed to be at a steady at 0.001m/sec. Another effect to be considered would be the evaporation rate of aluminum. In the case of CO2-Ar, since the flame temperature is comparatively low, the evaporation rate should be lesser and hence the stoichiometric amount of fuel and oxidizer should be obtained at a relatively closer distance to the particle surface due to this effect. It may be noted that for diffusion flames, the flame zone is the region where the fuel and oxidizer are in stoichiometric amounts. It may be seen from Figures 19-24 that the combustion resembles a diffusion flame for the considered cases, since the region in which the reactants coexist is very small. The fuel and the oxidizer are seen to coexist at the edge of the flame zone in all the cases. This implies that the condensation tends to concentrate in a region closer to the particle surface than the reaction zone, and the condensation results in a large flame zone. Many of the models have assumed infinite kinetics2,66,65 and hence a diffusion controlled model. The predictions of this model, namely the little coexistence of the aluminum and oxidizer for the oxidizers O2, CO 2, H 2O, gives validity to that assumption. The conclusion drawn above assumes that the kinetics are well represented in the model. An observation can be made, about the assumption of condensation occurring in the reaction zone in some models, from the flame zone predicted in the model. As stated earlier, condensation tends to concentrate in a region a little bit closer to the particle surface than the reaction zone. Hence, based on the predictions of this model for the oxidizers and conditions studied, it can be concluded that the models that assumed the condensation to occur in the reaction zone were more accurate than the models that took the condensation to occur on the particle surface. The 2-dimensional pictures are a view of the upper half of the particle shown in Figure.10. The 2dimensional pictures show the effect of the oxide cap and convection on the distortion of the temperature profiles. The low temperature on the left side of the figures is a combined effect of the convection, which makes the gases flow from left to right, and the oxide cap, which accumulates on the left side. An interesting observation is that on the upper side of the falling particle, the temperature is around 1000 1250K at a distance of 60 radii from the particle. The oxidizer concentration is also not equal to the ambient concentration even at a distance of 20 ro. This tends to point to the need for group combustion studies. In a rocket motor, there is a good chance of particle spacing in the order of 60 r0. The main combustion product is seen to be Al2O3. It can be seen that some of the oxide diffuses outwards, which is the oxide smoke. This model does not attempt to determine the size of the oxide smoke, which is expected to be a function of the condensation. The concentration of the aluminum suboxides is negligible at distances far from the particle surface, which is to be expected considering their fast condensation and other kinetic reactions. AlO is seen to be main aluminum sub-oxide produced in the flame zone. The concentration of the argon at the particle surface is non-zero, as the argon passes through the flame zone without any reaction. Although any possible reaction between some of the products like H2, CO & oxide cap with the aluminum has not been considered in this model due to the constraint of kinetic data availability, those reactions could have a role in the fragmentation and jetting of aluminum particles, which has been observed experimentally.47,82
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0.8 0.7
Mass fraction
0.6 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 0 1 2
Ar
Al
Al2O3 O2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
O r / o
Figure 19.
Major species mass fraction for 21%O2/Ar, Tamb=300 K, P= 1 atm.
0.8 0.7
Ar
Mass fraction
0.6 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Al Al2O3 CO CO2
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 r/ro
Figure 20.
Major species mass fraction for 21%CO2/Ar, Tamb=300 K, P= 1 atm.
0.8 0.7 0.6
Ar
Mass fraction
0.5 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Al
Al2O3
H2O
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 r/ro
Figure 21.
Major species mass fraction for 21%H2O/Ar, Tamb=300K, P=1 atm.
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0.0018 0.0016 0.0014
Mass fraction
0.0012 0.001
0.0008 0.0006 0.0004 0.0002 0 1
Al2O AlO AlO2

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 r/ro
Figure 22. Minor species mass fraction for 21%O2/Ar, Tamb=300 K, P= 1 atm.
0.0018 0.0016
Mass fraction
0.0014 0.0012 0.001
AlO
0.0008 0.0006 0.0004 0.0002 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 r/ro
AlO2
Al2O
Figure 23. Minor species mass fraction for 21%CO2/Ar, Tamb=300 K, P= 1 atm.
0.0045 0.004 0.0035
H2
Mass fraction
0.003
AlO
0.0025 0.002
0.0015 0.001 0.0005 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 r/ro
Al2O
AlO2
Figure 24. Minor species mass fraction for 21%H2O/Ar, Tamb=300K, P=1 atm.
RTO-EN-023
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The effect of pressure on aluminum combustion, which has not been addressed in a lot of experimental and modeling efforts, needs to be given priority considering the rocket motor conditions. Figures 25 and 18 show the calculated temperature distributions for a particle burning at 1 atm and 65 atm pressure respectively. The gas composition used in the calculations was the same as that by Davis35, so that the results of the model could be compared with the experimental data. The first observation which can be made is the difference in overall temperatures. The surface and flame temperatures are higher for the high pressure case than for the low pressure case. The flame temperature is ~400K higher at 65 atm. This is reasonable because the aluminum and aluminum oxide boiling (dissociation for aluminum oxide) points have increased with ambient pressure. This increase in flame temperature is a very important concept which has not been treated by most investigators. The second observation which may be drawn from these figures is that the flame zone was calculated to be more narrow and closer to the surface at high pressure than at low pressure. Brzustowski and Glassman2 showed experimentally that in metal combustion an increase in pressure is accompanied by an approach of the flame front toward the particle surface. This agrees with the calculations illustrated in Figures 17 and 18.
Figure 25. Predicted T(K) distribution in 44.4% H2O, 11.4% O2, 13.9% CO2, 10.1% N2, 20.2% HCl, Tamb=2600 K, and P= 1 atm.
Figure 26. Predicted T(K) distribution in 44.4% H2O, 11.4% O2, 13.9% CO2, 10.1% N2, 20.2% HCl, Tamb=2600 K, and P= 65 atm.
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RTO-EN-023

5 am 5t 6 am 0t 6 am 5t
d= 60 microns Ta b = 2600 K m H2O= 44.4 mole % O2= 11.4 % CO2=13.9 % N2= 10.1 % HCl= 20.2 %
4500
4400
Tafe m l
Temperature (K)
4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 0 10 20 30 P(atm)
4200
Tsurf
d= 60 microns Ta b = 2600 K m H2O= 44.4 mole % O2= 11.4 % CO2=13.9 % N2= 10.1 % HCl= 20.2 % 40 50 60 70
4000
T (K)
3800 3600 3400 3200 1
4 am 0t 2 am 0t 5t am
5 r/ro
11
Figure 27. Predicted particle surface temperatures as pressure is varied.
and
Figure 28. Predicted temperature profiles vs. flame non-dimensional radius for various pressures.
Figure 27 shows the predicted dependence of surface temperature and flame temperature on pressure. Notice that there is a gradual increase in surface and flame temperatures as the pressure is increased. The case of one atm and 65 atm has been demonstrated already in Figures 25 and 26. Figures 27 and 28, however, show the trend over the entire pressure range studied. Figure 28 puts this into a spacial perspective, showing the distribution of the calculated temperatures from the surface outward. In Figure 28, the predicted temperature profiles vs. non-dimensional radius are shown for the same range of pressures as in Figure 27. It can be seen that the temperature profile of the flame zone is increasing in height as the pressure increases. It is interesting to compare some of the results from Liangs modified model with recent experimental data. Some of the latest and best experimental measurements of temperature and species distributions around a burning aluminum particle have been performed by Bucher et al.61,62,63 at Princeton. In one of their experiments, they burned aluminum particles in an O2/Ar atmosphere and measured the temperature profile extending outward from the particle surface in very small increments. Figure 29 shows a comparison of Buchers data with the temperature profile calculated by the modified Liang model.69 Excellent agreement between predictions and measurements was achieved.
4500 4000 Bucheretal. Calculated
Temperature (K)
3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 1 2 3 4 5 r/ro 6 7 8 9 10 d=230 Tamb=300 K P= 1 atm O2=21 mole % Ar=79%
Figure 29. Calculated temperature (K) profile vs. non-dimensional radius compared with experimental data from Bucher et al.
RTO-EN-023
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Figure 30 shows the calculated relative AlO concentration profile compared with data from the same experiment. It can be seen that the profiles are very similar, although Bucher et al. observed a peak in AlO concentration at around r/ro= 2.2, and the calculated peak value is at ~ 3.0. Figure 31 shows a comparison of Buchers data with a calculated temperature profile for an N2/O2 atmosphere, similar to the Ar/O2 case shown in Figure 29. It must be noted that the dissociation of N2 was not included earlier in these calculations, hence the disagreement between the earlier calculated values and experiment. However, very recent calculations, which take into account the N2 dissociation, result in much better agreement between the two as shown in Figure 31. This is a very logical outcome since heat is required to dissociate N2, thus lowering the calculated temperature of the system. In addition to looking at temperature and species profiles, the burn times calculated by this model were compared against experimental data, as well as against calculated values from the Brooks model.65 Figure 32 shows several burn times predicted by the modified Liang model, along with calculated burn times from the modified Brooks (analytical) model,69 as well as experimental data from Hartman37 and Davis35 Only a limited number of calculations were performed because of the time required for each calculation (about 12 cpu hours).
1 0.9 d=230 Tamb=300K P=1atm O2=21 mole % Ar=79% Calculated
AlO Relative Concentration
0.8 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 0 1 2 3 4 5 r/ro 6 7 Bucheretal.
10
Figure 30. Calculated relative AlO concentration vs. non-dimensional radius compared with experimental data from Bucher et al.
4500 4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 1 Bucher et al. Calculated N2 dissociation
d=230m Tamb=300K P=1atm O2=21 mole% N2=79 mole%

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
r/r o
Figure 31. Calculated temperature profile versus non-dimension radius compared with experimental data from Bucher, et al, with N2 replacing Ar as the inert gas.
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RTO-EN-023
25 20 15 10 5 0 0
Brooks Davis exp. Hartman Liang
5 10 15 20 Calculated burn times from modified model (msec)
25
Figure 32. Comparison of burn times calculated by the modified Liang model with calculations from the modified Brooks (analytical) model, and with experimental data from Hartman37 and Davis. 35 Since Liangs model is a steady-state calculation, a particle burn time had to be approximated from the calculated steady-state evaporation rate of aluminum. To do this, it was assumed that the steady-state evaporation rate represented the initial rate, and that thereafter the evaporation rate was proportional to the fraction of original aluminum remaining. In addition, when 95 percent of the original aluminum was evaporated, the particle combustion was assumed complete. In this manner, particle burn times were approximated from the steady state calculations, and are shown in Figure 32. As can be seen from this figure, there seems to be reasonable agreement between the calculations of the modified Liang model, the modified Brooks (analytical) model, and experiment For the analysis of the condensation, dissociation rates and the reaction rates of some of the reactions, the case of aluminum combustion in air has been analyzed. Figure 33 shows the dissociation rate of aluminum oxide. It can be seen that the dissociation occurs exactly in the region where there is a temperature plateau. The condensation rate of liquid aluminum oxide is shown in Figure 34. We can see the condensation determines the location of the flame and the temperature distribution and occurs very rapidly in a narrow region. Figure 35 shows a plot of the reaction rates of some species in the aluminum combustion process in air. The reaction of aluminum with oxygen is observed to occur only in the narrow flame zone. Between the particle surface and the flame zone the most important species is AlO. AlO is produced in the flame zone and diffuses back to the particle surface reacting with the liquid aluminum to form Al2O . In the flame zone there are two reactions of species AlO. One is to form AlO2 and another is the condensation reaction. Figure 35 shows that the formation of AlO2 is the dominant process. Because of these two reactions, the concentration of AlO at the outer edge of flame goes to zero.
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Dissociation rate [kg(AlO)/(m s)]
8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 r/r0
Figure. 33 Dissociation rate of aluminum oxide vs. radial non-dimensional distance

Condensation rate [kg(Al O)/m s]
20
15
10
0 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 r/r0
Figure. 34 Condensation rate vs. radial non-dimensional distance

25 20 AlO2 15 10 5 0 -5 -10 -15 r/r0 0 5 Al 10 15 20 AlO
Figure 35. Reaction rate vs. radial non-dimensional distance
5 - 38
reaction rate [kg/(m s)]
RTO-EN-023
The condensation reaction18 AlO2 + AlO Al2O3(l ) cannot occur at that location which will let a lot of AlO2 exist in the final combustion product. Therefore, we assume AlO2 condenses through reaction (R17) and AlO2 will be finally condensed. Species Al2O3(l) is mainly produced in the flame zone and diffuses to the particle surface and deposits on the particle surface. From the results we can see that next to the condensation rate the most important quantity to influence the condensation is the O2 concentration which is different from the classical condensation process. For hydrocarbon droplet combustion, the burn time is proportional to the initial diameter raised to the power of 2. For aluminum combustion, the model predicts the burn time to be proportional to the initial diameter raised to the power of 1.2 for small diameters to 1.88 for large diameters. The reason the exponent is lesser than 2 is due to the oxide cap and the convection, which cause the evaporation rate of aluminum to decrease and thus cause the burning time to increase. The oxide cap has another effect of providing energy to the particle surface during deposition, which cancels off some of the effect due to the blockage of the aluminum evaporation due to the oxide cap. Summary and Conclusions The combustion characteristics of aluminum combustion have been summarised in an overview of the subject, focusing on the burning time of individual particles. The fundamental concepts that control aluminum combustion are discussed starting with a discussion of the Dn law. Combustion data from over ten different sources with almost 400 datum points have been cataloged and correlated. The wide variety of experimental techniques and a lack of standard definitions of the burning time, contribute to the large data scatter observed between different investigators. A thorough evaluation of the data indicates that an exponent on the order of 1.5 to 1.8 correlates the data best, with the value of 1.8 slightly better than 1.5. There is a rich body of data varying the environmental gases. These data have bee systematically analyzed showing that oxygen is a more powerful oxidizer than water or CO2. Zenin's data shows that CO2 is only 20% as efficient as oxygen. Although the data were not conclusive about the precise effect of water, it appears that water is probably about half as effective as oxygen. And about half as effective as CO2. Interesting studies have been performed using various inert gases while varying the oxygen concentration. There appears to be an effect of the gaseous diffusivity, with the product of the density times the diffusivity. The inference being that smaller gaseous molecules will tend to reduce the burning time. The observed effect of pressure and initial temperature is minimal. Early Russian investigators proposed that pressure has a small effect at low pressure, but no effect above ~20 atm. More recent work seems to verify that trend. The effect of initial temperature is also relatively small with an exponent of 0.2 resulting in a minimization of error.
A proposed equation that can be used to estimate burning times of aluminum particles is (Eqn. 6)
tb = aDn
0.2 Xeff P0 .1 To
where
Xeff = CO2 + 0.6 CH2O + 0.22 C CO2
a = 0.0244 for n = 1.5 and a = 0.00735 for n = 1.8 and pressure is in atmospheres, temperature in K, diameter in m, and time in msec.
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A two-dimensional, unsteady state kinetic-diffusion-vaporization controlled numerical model for aluminum particle combustion is presented. The model solves the conservation equations, while accounting for species generation and destruction with a 15 reaction kinetic mechanism. Two of the major phenomena that differentiate aluminum combustion from hydrocarbon droplet combustion, namely the condensation of the aluminum oxide product and the subsequent deposition of part of the condensed oxide, are accounted for in detail with a sub-model for each phenomenon. The effect of the oxide cap in the distortion of the profiles around the particle has been included in the model. Parametric calculations were made to examine the flame structure for oxygen, water and carbon dioxide flames. Each of the three calculations was made for a mixture of 21% of the oxidizer mixed with 79% argon, all at one atm. The results show a dramatic difference for the CO2 case. The flame temperature for the CO 2 case as~2700 K while for both O2 and water the temperature is ~4000 K. These correspond to the thermodynamic equilibrium for the three oxidizers. There is much less energy in the CO2 flame. The calculations also indicate that the flame for the CO2 extends further from the surface than either O2 or H2O. The calculated species profiles indicate that the flame corresponds to a diffusion flame as virtually none of the oxidizer penetrates beyond the flame. The calculated temperature profiles have been compared with recent experimental data by Bucher, et al, showing good agreement between the model and the available data. The modeling results also show that the exponent of the particle diameter dependence of burning time is not a constant and changes from about 1.2 for larger diameter particles to 1.9 for smaller diameter particles. The calculations also indicate that due to the deposition of the aluminum oxide on the particle surface, particle velocity oscillates. Calculations indicate that both the flame temperature and surface temperature increase with increasing pressure. Between 5 and 60 atm the flame temperature is calculated to increase by approximately 400 K. Calculations were also made for conditions corresponding to what might occur in a solid propellant rocket motor where little oxygen is present, and the principal oxidizers are water and CO2. Nomenclature u p D Y T M
m
density velocity pressure diffusivity mass fraction temperature molecular weight flux thermal conductivity mass heat flux
mass flux of species produced latent heat enthalpy particle radius velocity vector specific heat instantaneous particle radius supersaturation surface tension of a flat liquid surface
h h R V Cp Rp S
k m Q
condensation coefficient
Non-Dimensional variables
* ur =
ur u
non-dimensional radial velocity
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RTO-EN-023

* u =
u u tu R0 r R0 Di D T T p u2
non-dimensional tangential velocity non-dimensional time non-dimensional radial distance non-dimensional density non-dimensional viscosity non-dimensional diffusivity non-dimensional temperature non-dimensional pressure
t* = r* = * = * =
Di* = T* = p* =
Subscripts r
p g s
radial direction tangential direction

infinity conditions particle gas surface
vap dep 0 i m
vaporization deposition initial condition species mean
References
1 2
Glassman, I., "Metal Combustion Processes", American Rocket Society Preprint 938-59, New York, 1959. Brzustowski, T. A. and Glassman I., "Spectroscopic Investigation of Metal Combustion", Heterogeneous Combustion, Academic Press, New York, 1964, pp 41-74. 3 Pokhil, P. F., Belyayev A. F., Frolov Yu. V, Logachev V. S. and Korotkov A. I., "Combustion of Powdered Metals in Active Media", Nauka, FTD-MT-24-551-73 (English translation), 1972. 4 Frolov, Yu. V., Pokhil P. F. and Logachev V. S., "Ignition and Combustion of Powdered Aluminum in HighTemperature Gaseous Media and in a Composition of Heterogenous Condensed Systems", Combustion, Explosion & Shock Waves, Vol. 8, No. 2, 1972, pp. 168-187 5 Micheli, P. L. and Schmidt W. G., "Behavior of Aluminum in Solid Rocket Motors", AFRPL-TR-77-29, Vol II, Aerojet Solid Propulsion Co., 1977. 6 Glassman, I., Mellor A. M., Sullivan H. F. and Laurendeau N. M., "A Review of Metal Ignition and Flame Models", AGARD Conference Proceedings No. 52, 1970, pp. 19-1 - 19-30. 7 Price, E. W., Kraeutle K. J., Prentice J. L., Boggs T. L., Crump J. E. and Zurn D. E., "Behavior of Aluminum in Solid Propellant Combustion", NWC TP 6120, Naval Weapons Center, 1982,
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Price, E. W., "Combustion of Metalized Propellants", Fundamentals of Solid-Propellant Combustion, Volume 90, Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics, Chapter 14, 1984, pp. 479-514 9 Pressley, H. M., Survey of Soviet Work in Aluminum Combustion, 14th JANNAF Combustion Meeting, III, 1977, pp. 85-104. 10 Belyaev, A. F., Frolov Yu. V. and Korotkov A. I., Combustion and Ignition of Particles of Finely Dispersed Aluminum, Combustion, Explosion & Shock Waves, Vol. 4, No. 3, 1968, pp. 323-329. 11 Boreisho, A. S., Ivashchenko A. V. and Shelukhin G. G., "Problem of Determining the Sizes of Burning Metal Particles", Combustion, Explosion & Shock Waves, Vol. 11, No. 4, 1975, pp. 659-660. 12 Arkhipov, V. A., Ermakov, V. A., and Razdobreev, A. A., "Dispersity of Condensed Products of Combustion of an Aluminum Drop," Combustion, Explosions, & Shock Waves, Vol. 18, No. 2, pp. 16-19, 1982. 13 Dreizin, W. L. and Trunov M. A., "Surface Phenomena in Aluminum Combustion", Combustion and Flame, Vol. 101, No. 3, 1995, pp. 378-382. 14 Merzhanov, A. G., Grigorjev Yu. M. and Gal'chenko Yu. A., "Aluminum Ignition", Combustion and Flame, Vol. 29, 1977, pp. 1-14. 15 Breiter, A. L., Mal'tsev V. M. and Popov E. I., "Models of Metal Ignition", Combustion, Explosion and Shock Waves, Vol. 13, No. 4, 1977, pp. pp 475-484. 16 Ermakov, V. A., Razdobreev A. A., Skorik A. I., Pozdeev V. V. and Smolyakov S. S., "Temperature of Aluminum Particles at the Time of Ignition and Combustion", Combustion, Explosion and Shock Waves, Vol. 18, No. 2, 1982, pp. pp 256-257. 17 Lokenbakh, A. K., Zaporina N. A., Knipele A. Z., Strod V. V. and Lepin L. K., "Effects of Heating Conditions on the Agglomeration of Aluminum Powder in Air", Combustion, Explosion & Shock Waves, Vol. 21, No. 1, 1985, pp. 7382. 18 Boiko, V. M., Lotov V. V. and Papyrin A. N., "Ignition of Gas Suspensions of Metallic Powders in Reflected Shock Waves", Combustion, Explosion & Shock Waves, Vol. 25, No. 2, 1989, pp. 67-74. 19 Rozenband, V. I. and Vaganova N. I., "A Strength Model of Heterogeneous Ignition of Metal Particles", Combustion and Flame, 88, 1992, pp. 113-118. 20 Rozenband, V. I., Afanas'eva L. F., Lebedeva V. A. and Chernenko E. V., "Activation of Ignition of Aluminum and its Mixtures with Oxides by Chromium Chloride", Combustion, Explosions and Shock Waves, 26, No. 5, 1990, pp. 1315. 21 Fedorov, B. N., Plechov Yu. L. and Timokhin E. M., "Particle Size of Aluminum Oxide Particles in the Combustion Products of Condensed Substances", Combustion, Explosion & Shock Waves, Vol. 18, No. 1, 1982, pp. 22-27. 22 Gostintev, Yu. A., Lazarev V. V. and Frolov Yu. V., "Calculation of Critical Combustion Conditions for Metal with High-Velocity Heating by a Stream of Oxidizing Agent", Combustion, Explosion & Shock Waves , Vol. 22, No. 3, 1986, pp. 10-14. 23 Gremyachkin V.M., "Theory of Ignition of Metallic Particles", Combustion, Explosion & Shock Waves, Vol. 19, No 3, 1983, pp. 259-262. 24 Arutyunyan, A. B., Kharatyan S. L. and Merzhanov A. G., "Theory of Metal Particle Ignition I. Ignition of Metal Particles in the Formation of Solid Solutions", Combustion, Explosion & Shock Waves, Vol. 15, No. 3, 1979, pp. 1622. 25 Gurevich, M. A., Ozerov E. S. and Yurinov A. A., "Effect of an Oxide Film on the Inflammation Characteristics of Aluminum", Combustion, Explosion & Shock Waves, Vol. 14, No. 4, 1978, pp. 448-451. 26 Bezprozvannykh, V. A., Ermakov V. A. and Razdobreev A. A., "Induction Period for the Heating of Metal Particles by Continuous Laser Radiation", Combustion, Explosion & Shock Waves, 28, 6, 1992, pp. 60-63. 27 Kovalev, O. B., "Adiabatic Method in the Thermal Theory of Ignition of Metal Particles in Gases", Combustion, Explosions and Shock Waves, Vol. 30, No. 5, 1994, pp. 29-33. 28 Medvedev, A. E., Fedorov A. V. and Fomin V. M., "Mathematical Modeling of Metal Particle Ignition in the HighTemperature Flow Behind a Shock", Combustion, Explosion & Shock Waves, Vol. 18, No. 3, 1982, pp. 261-265. 29 Kudryavtsev, V. M., Sukhov A. V., Voronetskii A. V. and Shapara A. P., "High-Pressure Combustion of Metals (Three-Zone Model)", Combustion, Explosion & Shock Waves, Vol. 15, No. 6, 1979, pp. 731-737.
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Gremyachkin, V. M., Istratov A. G. and Leipunskii O. I., "Effect of Immersion in a Flow on Metal-Drop Combustion", Combustion, Explosion & Shock Waves, Vol. 15, No. 1, 1979, pp. 32-36. 31 Gremyachkin, V. M., Istratov A. G. and Leipunskii O. I., "Model for the Combustion of Metal Droplets", Combustion, Explosion & Shock Waves, Vol. 11, No. 3, 1975, pp. 313-318. 32 Babuk, V. A., Belov V. P. and Shelukhin G. G., "Combustion of Aluminum Particles in Composite Condensed Systems Under Low and High Pressures", Combustion, Explosion & Shock Waves, Vol. 17, No. 3, 1981, pp. 26-31. 33 Friedman, R. and Macek A., "Combustion Studies of Single Aluminum Particles", Ninth Symposium (International) on Combustion, 1963, pp. 703-709. 34 Friedman, R. and Macek A., "Ignition and Combustion of Aluminum Particles in Hot Ambient Gases", Combustion and Flame, 6, 1962, pp. 9-19. 35 Davis, A., "Solid Propellants: The Combustion of Particles of Metal Ingredients", Combustion and Flame, Vol. 7, 1963, pp. pp 359-367. 36 Macek, A., "Fundamentals of Combustion of Single Aluminum and Beryllium Particles", Eleventh Symposium (International) on Combustion, 1967, pp. 203-217. 37 Hartman, K. O., "Ignition and Combustion of Aluminum Particles in Propellant Flame Gases", 8th JANNAF Combustion Mtg., Vol. 1, 1971, pp. pp 1-24. 38 Wilson, R. P. and Williams F. A., "Experimental Study of the Combustion of Single Aluminum Particles in O2/Ar", Thirteenth Symposium (International) on Combustion, The Combustion Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, 1971, pp. 833-845. 39 Prentice, J. L., "Combustion of Laser-Ignited Aluminum Droplets in Wet and Dry Oxidizers", AIAA 12th Aerospace Sciences Meeting, AIAA Paper No. 74-146; see also "Aluminum Droplet Combustion: Rates and Mechanisms in Wet and Dry Oxidizers", NWC TP 5569, 1974. 40 Wong, S. C. and Turns S. R., "Ignition of Aluminum Slurry Droplets", Combust. Sci. and Tech., 52, 1987, pp..221-242. 41 Turns, S. R., Wong S. C. and Ryba E., "Combustion of Aluminum-Based Slurry Agglomerates", Combust. Sci. and Tech., Vol. 54, 1987, pp. pp 299-318 42 Roberts, T. A., Burton R. L. and Krier H., "Ignition and Combustion of Aluminum/Magnesium Alloy Particles in O2 at High Pressures", Combustion and Flame, 92, 1993, pp. 125-143. 43 Marion, M. Chauveau C. and Gokalp I., "Studies on the Ignition and Burning of Aluminum Particles", AIAA 95-2861, 1995, 44 Marion, M., Chauveau C. and Gokalp I., "Studies on the Ignition and Burning of Aluminum Particles", Combustion Sci. & Technology, Vol. 116, 1996, pp. 369-390. 45 Olsen, S. E. and Beckstead M. W., "Burn Time Measurements of Single Aluminum Particles in Steam and Carbon Dioxide Mixtures", J. of Propulsion & Power, Vol. 12, No. 4, 1996, pp. 662-671. 46 Melcher, J. C., Burton R. L. and Krier H., "Combustion of Aluminum Particles in in Solid Rocket Motor Flows", 36th JANNAF Combustion Meeting, Vol. I, CPIA # 691, 1999, pp. 249-258. 47 Dreizin, E. L., "On the Mechanism of Asymmetric Aluminum Particle Combustion", Combustion & Flame, Vol. 117, 1999, pp. 841-850. 48 Dreizin, E. L., "Experimental Study of Aluminum Particle Flame Evolution in Normal and Micro-Gravity", Combustion & Flame, Vol. 116, 1999, pp. 323-333. 49 Zenin, A. A., Kusnezov G. and Kolesnikov V. and Zenin, A. A. Kusnezov G. and Kolesnikov V., "Physics of Aluminum Particle Combustion at Zero-Gravity", AIAA-99-0696, 1999. 50 Zenin, A. A., Kusnezov G. and Kolesnikov V., "Physics of Aluminum Particle Combustion at Convection", AIAA2000-0849, 2000. 51 Burton, R. L., Schneider, D. S., and Krier, H., "Aluminum Particle Combustion in a Pressurized Flow Reactor", ThirtyFourth JANNAF Combustion Meeting, Vol. II, CPIA Pub. No. 662, Laurel, MD, 1997, pp. 287-294. 52 Melcher, J. C., Burton R. L. and Krier H., "Combustion of Aluminum Particles in in Solid Rocket Motor Flows", Solid Propellant Chemistry, Combustion and Motor Interior Ballistics, AIAA Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics, Vol. 185, 2000. 53 Bartlett, R. W., Ong J. N., Fassell W. M. and Papp C. A., "Estimating Aluminum Particle Combustion Kinetics", Combustion and Flame, Vol. 7, 1963, pp. pp 227-234.
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Drew, C. M., Gordon, A. S., and Knipe, R. H., "Study of Quenched Aluminum Particle Combustion," Heterogeneous Combustion, AIAA, Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics Series, Vol. 15, Academic Press, New York, NY, 1964, pp. 17-39. 55 Gordon, A. S. Drew C. M. Prentice J. L. and Knipe R. H., "Techniques for the Study of the Combustion of Metals", AIAA Journal, 6, 4, 1968, pp. 577. 56 Price, E. W., Christensen, H. C., Knipe, R. H., Drew, C. M., Prentice, J. L., and Gordon, A. S., "Aluminum Particle Combustion Progress Report," NOTS-TP-3916, Naval Ordnance Test Station, China Lake, CA 1966. 57 Foelsche, R. O., Burton, R. L., and Krier, H., "Ignition and Combustion of Aluminum Particles in H2/O2/N2 Combustion Products," J. of Propulsion and Power, Vol. 14, No. 6, 1998, pp. 1001-1008. Brzustowski, T. A. and Glassman, I., "Spectroscopic Investigation of Metal Combustion," pp. 41-73 and "Vapor-Phase Diffusion Flames in the Combustion of Magnesium and Aluminum," Heterogeneous Combustion, AIAA, Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics Series, Vol. 15, Academic Press, New York, 1964,. pp. 75-115, 59 Drew, C. M., Gordon, A. S., and Knipe, R. H., Kraeutle, K. J., Prentice, J. L., and Price, E. W., "Metal Particle Combustion Progress Report," NWC-TP-4435, Naval Weapons Center, China Lake, CA, 1968. 60 Prentice, J. L. and Krauetle, K. J., "Metal Particle Combustion Progress Report," NWC-TP-4658, Naval Weapons Center, China Lake, CA, 1969. 61 Bucher, P., Yetter, R. A., Dryer, F. L., Vicenzi, E. P., Parr, T. P., and Hanson-Parr, D. M., "Observations on Aluminum Particles Burning in Various Oxidizers", 33rd JANNAF Combustion Meeting, Vol. II, CPIA Pub. No. 653, Laurel, MD, 1996, pp. 449-458 62 Bucher, P., Yetter, R. A., Dryer, F. L., Parr, T. P., and Hanson-Parr, D. M., "Aluminum Particle Gas-Phase Flame Structure", 34th JANNAF Combustion Meeting, Vol. II, CPIA Pub. No. 662, 1997, Laurel, MD, pp. 295-305. 63 Bucher, P., Yetter, R. A., Dryer, F. L., Parr, T. P., and Hanson-Parr, D. M., "PLIF Species and Ratiometric Temperature Measurements of Aluminum Particle Combustion in O2, CO2, and N2O Oxidizers, and Comparison
58
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with Model Calculations," 27th Symposium (International) on Combustion, The Combustion Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, 1998, pp. 2421-2429. 64 Law, C. K., "A Simplified Theoretical Model for the Vapor-Phase Combustion of Metal Particles, " Combustion Science and Technology, Vol. 7, 1973, pp. 197-212. 65 Brooks, K. P. and Beckstead, M. W., "Dynamics of Aluminum Combustion," Journal of Propulsion and Power, Vol. 11, No. 4, 1995, pp. 769-780. 66 Law, C. K., "A Simplified Theoretical Model for the Vapor-Phase Combustion of Metal Particles, " Combustion Science and Technology, Vol. 7, 1973, pp. 197-212. 67 King, M. K., "Modeling of Single Particle Aluminum Combustion in CO2/N2 Atmospheres," 17th (International) on Combustion, The Combustion Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, 1977, pp. 1317-1328. Kuo, K. K., Principles of Combustion, John-Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, NY, 1986, pp. 383-385. 69 Widener, J. F. and Beckstead M. W., "Aluminum Combustion Modeling in Solid Propellant Combustion Products", AIAA 98-3824, 1998. 70 Liang, Y. and Beckstead, M.W. Numerical Simulation of Quasi-Steady, Single Aluminum Particle Combustion in Air, AIAA 98-0254, 1998. 71 Liang, Y., and Beckstead, M.W. Numerical Simulation of Single Aluminum Particle Combustion in Air, 34th JANNAF Meeting, 1997, CPIA No. 662, Vol. IV, pp. 197-208. 72 Liang, Y., and Beckstead, M.W. Numerical Simulation Of Unsteady, Single Aluminum Particle Combustion In Air, AIAA 98-3825, Cleveland, OH, July 1998 73 Widener, J.F., Liang, Y and Beckstead, M.W. Aluminum Combustion Modeling In Solid Propellant Environments, AIAA-98-0449, Los Angeles, CA, June 1999. 74 Widener, J.F., Liang, Y and Beckstead, M.W. Aluminum Combustion Modeling In Solid Propellant Environments, 35th JANNAF Combustion Meeting, 1998, CPIA No 680, Vol I, pp. 577-592. 75 Kee, R. J., Dixon-lewis, G., Warnatz, J., Coltrin, M. E. and Miller, J. A., A fortran computer code package for the evaluation of gas-phase multicomponent transport properties, SAND86-8246, 1992.
68
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Bhatia,R. and Sirignano, W.A., Metal Particle Combustion With Oxide Condensation, Submitted to Combustion Science & Technology, 1993. 77 Widener, J.F. Computer Modeling Of Aluminum Particle Heat-Up And Combustion Under Rocket Motor Conditions, MS Thesis, Dept. of Chemical Engineering, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, 1998. 78 Zettlemoyer, A. C., Nucleation, Marcel Dekker Inc. New York, 1969. 79 Brooks, K. Characterization of the Flame and Aluminum Particles in a Rijke Burner, MS Thesis, Dept. of Chemical Engineering, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, 1992. 80 Patankar, S. V., Numerical Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow, Hemisphere Publishing Corporation, 1980. 81 Kalra, T.R. and Uhlherr, P. H. T., Aust. Conf. Hydraul. Fluid Mech. 4th, Melbourne, 1971. 82 Prentice, J. L. and Nelson,L.S. Differences between the combustion of Aluminum particles in air and Oxygen-Argon mixtures, Journal of Electrochemical Society, Vol.115, 1968, p.809-812.
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Motor Flow Instabilities Part 1

F. Vuillot, G. Casalis
ONERA BP 72 92322 Chtillon Cedex FRANCE Introduction Motor Stability General Overview Acoustic Balance Particular Contributions to the Acoustic Balance Flow Turning Issue Two-Phase Flows Conclusion/Limitations Flow Stability Presentation Intrinsic Non-Linear Nature Model Requirements Stability Theory Dealing with Flow Stability Experimental Evidences Simplified Approaches Full Numerical Approaches Examples Conclusions/Unsettled Issues Acknowledgement References 1 2 2 5 10 12 13 15 15 15 17 17 19 19 19 22 25 26 33 34 34
INTRODUCTION
This paper will be given in two separate talks, a first one presenting the general problem and applications to actual motors and a second talk dealing more specifically with stability theory. Solid propellant rocket motor instability has been the subject of many research works for more than 40 years and valuable reviews can be found in references [1, 2]. First concerns were to understand the sometimes violent instabilities that occurred during motor firings that could lead to motor failure or destruction. The combustion mechanisms were among the first to be studied since most of the energy released in the motor chamber is due to chemical reactions linked to propellant combustion. Indeed, only a very small fraction of this energy could, if directed to few instability modes, results in abnormal strains that could lead to propellant or case failure and then to motor destruction (see [2]). Instability modes can be of several types and had been classified into volume modes and acoustic modes (see [1]). Only the latter will be considered here since they appeared to be the most unpredictable. In such situations, the instabilities organize themselves around chamber acoustic modes and produce acoustic resonances,
Motor Flow Instabilities Part 1 much like an organ pipe. The fact that motor combustion chamber consists of a closed cavity (except for the nozzle, but we will see that it may be assimilated to an acoustically closed end) favors that interpretation. The so-called acoustic balance methods belong to that vision. Expressions for gains and losses to given chamber acoustic modes are looked for from knowledge of propellant combustion and mean flow organization incorporated into a linearized analysis. The objective is to identify modes that could be linearly unstable, that is to say that would grow to infinite amplitudes from infinitely small perturbations. In that acoustic view and in order to obtain tractable expressions, the flow field had to be idealized and was viewed as a perturbation of acoustic equations. However in the last 20 years it became evident that the complexity of the chamber internal flows could produce flow instabilities that could alone drive the resonance. Interestingly enough, the musical paradigm was shifted to the flute, where the role of air motion is more evident than in an organ pipe (although the physical mechanisms are very much the same). In that process, most of the simplified hypotheses of the acoustic balance approach had to be questioned and the resulting vision was much more general and embraced the entire internal flow (including combustion) and the instabilities were non longer solely combustion instabilities but flow instabilities. Before we go into the details of that paper, few remarks must be made, relative to time and length scales. Although solid propellant motors have the particularity of having a combustion chamber whose geometry continuously varies with time (due to propellant combustion) analysis of time scales permits to consider a succession of fixed geometries. Indeed the propellant regression rate (< 1 cm/s) is at least two order of magnitude smaller than flow velocity (few m/s) which is itself at least two order of magnitude smaller than the speed of sound (1000 m/s) that governs the propagation of acoustic waves. As a result, one can considers that the geometry is fixed during the time one looks at vortices development and displacement into the chamber or the time one looks at the amplification of an acoustic wave during few cycles. Only analysis of long time behaviors or hysteresis phenomenons would require the consideration of propellant surface regression. A similar analysis can be performed for the length scales. Indeed, propellant gaseous combustion occurs in few tens of microns above the propellant surface, while the vortices or acoustic length scales are often close to the cm or m. Again, one can consider the combustion of gaseous species to be assimilated to the boundary conditions of the instability problem. Only the case of condensed phase combustion (typically aluminum combustion) which has length scale of cm, could impact the instability analysis. This will be discussed later on. Another remark must be made at this stage. A quick view of motor operating pressures (in the range of several 106 Pa) and temperatures (from 2600 to 3600 K) indicates that measurements inside the motor is a challenging task (not mentioning the vibrations, the presence of combustion products in condensed phase and the difficulty of drilling holes for probe access in a lightweight pressurized vessel). It is thus an evidence that measurements in a production motor is scarce and that only research motors can be equipped with the needed transducers to acquire a satisfactory knowledge of what is going on inside. Most often, investigators must rely on a limited number of pressure transducers, only some of them being rated for the necessary unsteady measurements. To compensate these intrinsic difficulties, researchers have developed several means of simulating rocket motor operating conditions. These rank from cold flow simulators, where air, or nitrogen, is injected through porous surfaces that simulate the motor geometry at chosen time points during the burn and, more recently, to numerical simulations of chamber internal flows, again at chosen time points during the burn. These simulations permit to access to the details of the internal flow which complement the pressure measurements obtained from actual motor firings.
MOTOR STABILITY
General Overview
Motor stability discussion will be limited to the case of acoustic instabilities, where the fluctuating field is organized around the chamber standing acoustic modes. The case of longitudinal modes is the most
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Motor Flow Instabilities Part 1 documented case and will be used throughout this paper. Extensions to transverse modes (radial or tangential modes), although important, will not be directly addressed nor can it be either easily deduced from the presented materials. The interested reader is let to work out his way in that matter by his own. Analysis of motor stability relies on the following simple decomposition: P(r, t) = P(r ) + p' (r, t), where overbar indicates mean values, prime indicates fluctuating values, r is the position vector and t is the time variable. This decomposition is general and no assumptions are made at this point. The figure below presents a schematic of physical processes that take place inside a solid propellant rocket motor. 1) Heterogeneous combustion 2) Convection et radiation of acoustic waves through the nozzle 3) Acoustic boundary layers (forced vortical waves) 4) Reactive condensed phase 5) Vortex-shedding (free vortical waves) 6) Turbulence
Figure 1: Physical Phenomenons in a SRM.
Not all these phenomenons are directly taken care of in usual approaches of motor instabilities. Approximations are common place, due to the lack of knowledge and/or the complexity of the mechanisms. For instance, the heterogeneous nature of the combustion of solid propellant is rarely given a full treatment, most often, it is averaged and treated as an equivalent homogeneous process, such as burning rate laws (apn) or response functions to fluctuating pressure. Nozzle treatment relies on numerous analyses and is quite satisfactory, at least for the most classical case of longitunal modes and axial nozzles. Acoustic boundary layers is a particular topic which corresponds to attempts to introduce the vortical nature of the unsteady flow into acoustic treatments. We will see that this question largely overpasses the simple acoustic treatment since the notion of unsteady vorticity fiercely opposes the acoustic point of view. For the present time, it suffices to say that unsteady vortical waves are naturally generated when an acoustic wave sweeps above the burning propellant surface, where the velocity is forced to be perpendicular to the surface (no slip condition). The role of viscosity in that process has been misunderstood (as essential in stating the no-slip condition while this condition can be simply, in an inviscid view, linked to mass and momentum balances at the propellant surface) and finally may appear to be of secondary importance. However, the impact of this process on the acoustic balance is important and the fact that it is not yet fully understood does not diminish its role. Quite often the condensed phase is considered as inert (e.g. alumina droplets) and composed of a limited number of sizes, although it is known that aluminum burns in a complex (and not yet perfectly known) manner, generating a continuum of droplet sizes, from the microns to the tenths of millimeter sizes. This matter constitutes one of the presently active research issues relative to motor stability and will be discussed later on. Vortex-shedding will also be discussed in some details later on, since the research is much more advanced on that subject. Its merit is to introduce the flow field as an actor to its own destabilization. Indeed periodic vortexshedding can be viewed as a path for energy to be transferred from the mean flow to the fluctuating field. The fact that vortex-shedding can occur at discrete frequencies, some of them being capable of matching acoustic frequencies, differentiates this mechanism from the next one, turbulence, which rather implies a
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Motor Flow Instabilities Part 1 continuum of frequencies. Although turbulence is also an energy path between the mean flow and the fluctuating field, the lack of distinguished frequencies makes this path much less effective in producing instabilities. Indeed, the gained experience shows that large turbulent levels inhibit motor instabilities which are built on a delicate balance of resonant mechanisms. However, it must not be forgotten that turbulence, when limited to usual levels, is also a very effective seed to local instabilities that can then feed the overall instability mechanisms. It is useful to consider the equation for a simple oscillator of state variable p, where dot indicates time derivative, the linear damping coefficient, the angular frequency and F(t) a forcing function:
&& + p & 2p + 2 p = F( t ) < 0 unstable > 0 stable
This apparently linear equation can bear some form of non-linearities that can show up in the form of dependencies of the coefficients on the state variable, p, such as (p) or F(p, t). Under the assumption that << , the solution of the linear homogeneous equation takes the simple form, p = p0 exp(it - t). The figures below depict particular behaviors:
Figure 2-a: Linearly Unstable.
Figure 2-b: Harmonically Forced Linearly Unstable and Non-Linearly Stable ( > 0 for Large Amplitudes).
Figure 2-c: Linearly Stable.
Figure 2-d: Linearly Stable, Harmonically Forced.
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Motor Flow Instabilities Part 1 It can be seen that cases b) and d) lead to limit amplitudes when some harmonic forcing functions are applied. Case d) is of particular interest since it may correspond to actual behaviors observed in large segmented space boosters, which while predicted linearly stable, exhibit limit amplitude cycles. For these cases, it is believed that periodic vortex-shedding could be the forcing function, although this point remains largely open to debate.
Acoustic Balance
Before recalling the acoustic balance approach, it must be stressed that acoustic balance methods can be viewed as a linear analysis of the stability of chamber acoustic modes, much like the above simple oscillator examples. In the absence of forcing function, an inhomogeneous Helmoltz equation and its boundary conditions are derived from the linearized equations of motion. Inhomogeneities arise from considerations of the mean flow and the associated combustion, choked nozzle and two-phase flow effects. Solutions are sought as perturbations of reference acoustic modes, solutions of the homogeneous equations (in the absence of mean flow and associated phenomenons). That process establishes strong dependence on the acoustic point of view since the final solution can only be small (in the linear sense) perturbation to the acoustic reference mode. The validity of the final solution is thus limited by assumptions which underlie the reference acoustic solution. The acoustic balance method was first proposed by Hart & McClure [3] and was given its most practical form by Culick [4-6]. The acoustic balance technique belongs to the asymptotic expansion methods. Every variable F is split into its mean, F , and fluctuating, F', parts:
F = F + F' with = F' F << 1 .
is a perturbation parameter that characterizes the instability and is used to split the governing equations into successive powers of . A second perturbation parameter, M , representing the mean flow Mach number, is used to simplify the equations. Assuming M <<1 implies that the mean flow remains incompressible, which is a good approximation in the combustion chamber, for practical situations. The use of two perturbation parameters imposes to fix their respective order of magnitude. Considering that the unsteadiness is added to an existing mean flow, it is assumed that:
Lim M
, M 0
=0
Then application of this technique to the fluid mechanic equations of mass, momentum and energy balance, leads to the following classes of problems: 0
M M
Problem Steady, incompressible flow Acoustic, without mean flow Linear coupling: mean flow-acoustic
0
M
The order M is the lower order that permits the description of the instabilities and corresponds to linear equations in . As a consequence, only the tendencies of infinitesimal perturbations to grow or decay can be determined in the form of a damping coefficient (F'e-t). One of the advantages of the linear approach is that it permits to think additively. Indeed, the total damping is the sum of particular i , that can be determined (or corrected) separately:
RTO-EN-023 7-5

=
The acoustic balance approach will be briefly described below, following Culicks paper (see [6]). Assuming that the combustion products form a two-phase mixture (subscript p represents the condensed phase of single class of size Dp), let p be the apparent particulate density:
p = N mp ,
with N the number of particles per unit volume and mp the mass of a particle. The conservation equations can be written, for and inviscid fluid and inert particles, as follows (the primitive variables are used instead of conservative variables for convenience): mass:
g t
p t
g u i = 0 x i
(1)
p u pi = 0 x i
(2)
momentum:
g u i u p + g u j i + =Fpi t x j x i
(3)
u pi t
+ p u pi
u pj x j
= Fpi
(4)
energy:
g CV u T T + p i =Q p + g C V u i x i x i t
Tp t + p Cu pi Tp x i = Q p
(5) (6)
pC
Fp is the drag force exerted by the particles on a unit volume of gas and Qp is the heat transferred to the gas from the particles. For the study of unsteady two-phase flow, it is generally assumed that the two phases are in equilibrium for the steady motions (the unsteady motions will be the cause of unequilibrium). This leads to the following notations: upi = ui + upi and Tp = T + Tp , where s will have zero mean values. These definitions, together with eqns (4) and (6) lead to the following new inter-phase terms:
u pi u pj uj +u i Fpi = p +u pi x j x j t
Tp Tp T +u i +u pi Q p = p C x i x i t
(7)
(8)
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Motor Flow Instabilities Part 1 Finally, defining the mixture properties as: = p/g * = (1 + )g CV* = (CV + C)/(1 + ) R* = Rg/(1 + ): mixture perfect gas constant p* = p = R*T/* = RT/: static pressure * = 1 + R*/ CV* = (1 + C/Cp)/(1 + C/CV)
1 + C Cp a*= (1 + )(1 + C C V )
1 2
ag
equations (3) and (5) can be rewritten for the mixture:

* u i u i p + *u j + = Fpi x j x i t
u T T + * C u i + p i = Q p V t x i x i
(9)
* C V
(10)
Then eqn (10) can be written for the pressure:

p p R * u i R * = Q p + ui + + 1 p t x i C x i C V V
(11)
At this point it is interesting to note, that under the assumptions of a steady state motion and of inert particles, eqn. (2) gives:
g u i = 0 x i
which, using eqn. (1), leads to:

ui () = 0 x i
implying that is conserved on any streamline. Since is uniform on the propellant surface, is uniform throughout the chamber. The next step is to develop eqns. (9) and (11) to first order in and M . It must be noted that the interphase equilibrium hypothesis permits to assimilate the mixture (superscript *) and the steady gas motion (notation ).
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Motor Flow Instabilities Part 1 Steady state:

u i = 0 + O( M 2 ) x i p = 0 + O( M 2 ) x i
( )
()
First order:
u ' p' p' R + p i = Q 'p + ui x i x i t CV
' u i p' ' = Fpi + t x i ' u i u u + u 'j i j x j x j
(12)
(13)
Then, taking the time derivative of eqn. (12) and combining with the divergence of eqn. (13) and assuming harmonic motions ( F' = ~ exp(it ) ), one gets an inhomogeneous Helmoltzs equation for p. This equation F is valid in the interior domain where the mean flow can be assumed incompressible. Its boundary conditions are obtained by taking the scalar product of eqn. (13) with the outward unit normal vector, ni , along the chamber boundaries:
~ 2~ p + k 2~ = h p x i x i ni ~ p ~ = f x i
(14)
(15)
with:
k =(+i ) a
~ p ~ ~ u i ~ i( 1) Q p + Fpi h=i 2 a a x i x i a ~ u i u i u + ~j u j x x i x j j ~ u i u ~ ~ f = i n i ~ i n i Fpi n i u j i + ~ j u u x j x j
( )
(16)
(17)
For the unperturbed case (rigid boundaries (), no mean flow and no particles), one has classically:
2~N p + k 2 ~N = 0 Np x i x i
(18)
() This assumption is justified in most cases, except the cases with long nozzles where the nozzle admittance must be taken into account in eq. (19) (see ref. [7]). 7-8 RTO-EN-023

~ N p =0 x i
ni
(19)
Combining eqns. (14) to (19) and taking a volume average over the domain , one can arrive, after some tedious algebra, for an expression (eqn. 20) for the perturbed wave number, k, valid at first order, and making use of the unperturbed eigen mode of the chamber:
(k
k 2 E 2 = ik N A n + M n ~ N dS p2 N N k p ~ ~ ~ N p Fpi dV i( 1) N Q p ~ N dV x i a
2
(20)
The following definitions are used:

E 2 = ~ N dV p2 N
~ n' u A n = a i~ i p u n' Mn = i i a
where n'i is the inward pointing unit normal vector. It must be noted that to arrive at equation (20) one has to assume that the vector ~ i is proportional to the u ~ x , imposing an irrotational field for the unsteady velocity. This assumption bears several gradient p N i limitations for the use of the acoustic balance. Indeed recent works have demonstrated that the unsteady velocity field may be highly rotational, as a consequence of the propellant side injection [e.g. 8-11]. Recent works propose a modification of the acoustic balance technique [10] to account for unsteady vorticity. It is outside the scope of this paper to discuss that matter. It must also be said that in situations where vortex shedding takes place, the assumption of an irrotational velocity field is also incorrect. Equation (20) can be split in its real and imaginary parts to give the following equations for the frequency shift and the damping coefficient, brought by the perturbation (assuming that 2 <<2 ):
N = a 2k N E 2 N a 2E 2 N
Im(A n ) ~ N dS p2
Re Fpi
1
( 1)
2E 2 N
p ~ N dV x i ~ ~ Im Q p p N dV ~
(21)
a 2E 2 N a
(Re(A n )+ M n ) p N dS
~2
2k N E 2 N
Im Fpi
1
( 1)
2E 2 N
~ N p dV x i ~ ~ Re Q p p N dV ~
(22)
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Particular Contributions to the Acoustic Balance

The last two volume integrals of the above equations concern the particulate damping and will be discussed in a following section. Concentrating on eqn. (22), and discarding the particulate dampings, usual form will be given. The first surface integral can be broken over the following surfaces: Propellant surfaces: due to the propellant combustion, Mn represents the injection Mach number, Minj , and An the propellant admittance. It is common practice to use the propellant burning rate response, RMP , instead of the admittance. These two quantities are linked by the following relationship:
R MP
' ' vc vc p u i' . n 'i = = + p' p p' p aM inj p'
R MP =
1 M inj + A n M inj
A global response is sometimes defined as: Rc = RMP + RTP , with RTP being the temperature response. Assuming isentropic oscillations leads to:
R c = R MP + T' T p' p = R MP + 1
Then, assuming that the propellant combustion does not depend one the location, the combustion term c can be obtained as:
c = aM inj Re(R MP )
Sinj p N dS
2 ~ N dV p2
~2
(23)
Inert walls: their contributions are obviously zero. Nozzle entrance plane: due to different normal vectors orientations, Mn represents -ML , and An represent -AL , with ML and AL being the nozzle inlet Mach number and acoustic admittance respectively. Assuming uniform properties across the nozzle entrance plane, the nozzle term is broken into the following convective, NC , and radiative, NR , parts:
NC =a M L 2 ~ N dV p2
SL p N dS
~2
~2
(24)
NR =a Re(A L )
2 ~ N dV p2
SL p N dS
(25)
Once the propellant and nozzle properties are known, evaluating the motor linear stability is only a question of computing the reference acoustic mode, solution of eqns. (18) and (19), and evaluating the different stability integrals appearing in c , NC , and NR. The resulting damping coefficient will then be = c + NC + NR. This will be illustrated for a simple cylindrical port motor displayed in fig. 3, and for the case of the qth longitudinal mode.
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Motor Flow Instabilities Part 1 L x R

Figure 3: Simple Cylindrical Motor.
The following equations are used:

S inj = 2RL, S L = R 2 , = R 2 L S inj Vinj ML = M inj , M inj = SL a ~ = ~ cos(k x ) with k = q p N p N0 N N L
Finally:
c = Vinj R Re(R MP )
NC =
2Vinj aM L = L R a Re(A L ) L
NR =
To estimate the effectiveness of the dampings, must be compared to the frequency, fq = q a/(2L), so that:
c 2 L = M inj Re(R MP ) fq qR
NC 2 2 2L = ML = M inj fq q q R NR 2 = Re(A L ) fq q
It must be noted that for short nozzles, it is common to approximate the real part of the nozzle admittance, AL , by its value derived from a quasi-steady analysis:
PA c p' 1 T ' ' u' = (U A )L = + C* 2T P U ' 1 p' p' ' a 2 T' with: = , = and P = P T P 1 u' hence: A L = a = ML p' 2 Re(A L ) = 1 ML 2
RTO-EN-023
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Motor Flow Instabilities Part 1 This permits to evaluate the relative order of magnitude of equations (24) et (25). Assuming 1.2, it is found that the radiative term represents roughly 10% of the convective one. The fact that Re(AL) is a small number validates the assumption that the nozzle entrance plane behaves much like a rigid wall. Then evaluating the resulting , one gets in this simple case:
2 L = M inj Re(R MP ) + fq qR 2 + 1 2
(26)
From this equation it appears that unless Re(RMP) is larger than (+3)/2 ( 1.75) stability will be predicted. This limit will be even higher when the flow-turning correction will be added to the acoustic balance (see next section). In more complex situations, the stability integrals must be carried out numerically, as well as the determination of the reference acoustic mode. It can be seen from eqns. (23) and (24-25) that the location where the combustion takes place and/or where the nozzle is located with respect to the reference acoustic mode will affect the global balance. In particular, the most famous T burner, with its propellant samples at the chamber ends and its nozzle at the mid-chamber position, will favor motor instability (which is what it was designed for).
Flow Turning Issue

The flow turning issue is a long debated subject (e.g. see [1, 2, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13]). It appeared from the fact that the results of the 1D acoustic balance are different from the 3D ones. An additional term is found in the form of a surface integral over the burning surface:
p d~ N FT = Sinj M inj dx 2 2 2k N E N a dS
2
(27)
This term was extended to the 3D analysis by Culick [6]. It derives from the condition of a no-slip boundary condition that can be freely imposed in 1D whereas the 3D approach forces an irrotational unsteady field. This was interpreted as a viscous effects, due to acoustic boundary layers. However, a simplified viscous treatment, near the injecting surface, led to a different expression [8], resulting from the apparent propellant admittance. Indeed, the actual propellant admittance has to be corrected from the displacement effect of the viscous layers. In the case of the relatively strong blowings encountered in SRM, this correction had a limiting value, independent of the viscosity, which was troubling. This term, supposed to replace the FT term, was:
BL = a 2E 2 Sinj N
M inj (~ N )2 dS p
(28)
Please note that in the case of a pure cylindrical motor, both eqns. (27) and (28) give the same result, adding to the trouble. The discussion was further fed by full numerical solutions of the unsteady NavierStokes equations [9, 11] that clearly showed that the unsteady velocity field was clearly rotational, invalidating both the 1D and the 3D approaches and the FT term, but also that the so-called acoustic boundary layers were very thick, invalidating the admittance correction approach and the BL term. In several recent papers [e.g. 14], Majdalani et al. revisited the problem of unsteady vorticity in acoustic solutions and proposed a unified mathematical framework.
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Motor Flow Instabilities Part 1 In any cases, most researchers agree to the fact that the uncorrected acoustic balance, as expressed in eqn. (26), underestimates the motor stability. Indeed, for the simple cylindrical motor, one gets:
FT 2 L = BL = M inj fq fq qR
leading to the following expression:

2 L = M inj fq qR Re(R MP ) + 3 + 1 2
(29)
which sets the stability limit to Re(RMP) larger than (+5)/2 ( 2.58), which is a rather large value for the real part of the response function. One may then conclude, that if the combustion is the only driving mechanism, most motors should be stable on their longitudinal modes, which is unfortunately not the case. For transverse modes and especially the tangential modes, the above analysis leads to less marked conclusions, in particular due to the nozzle terms which contributes to only limited losses.
Two-Phase Flows
Since most motors use metallized propellants, the combustion products carry some amount of condensed phase products, such as alumina droplets. These will add to the motor stability. In fact, one of the reasons to load propellants with metal powder, such as aluminum, is to increase the stability of the motors (another reason being the benefit of increased specific impulse). Evaluation of the particulate terms in eqns. (21) and (22), can be done providing that ad-hoc laws are supplied for the drag force and the heat transferred between phases. Reference [15] describes the problem and proposes solution methods. It is common practice to evaluate the two-phase flow terms for the simplified Stokes regimes, valid for small (less than unity) particular Reynolds numbers (Rep = Dp Up / , where Up is the velocity difference between the two phases). For low amplitude oscillations, this is consistent with the equilibrium hypothesis, since then:
(Re) p = ~ g D p u p
Under these conditions, the drag coefficient takes the well known value of: CD=24/(Re)p and the convective heat transfer coefficient is taken as: h'=2/Dp (Nusselt number =2), This leads to the following linear relations:
Fp = N p (3D p )u p Q p = N p (2D p )Tp
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Motor Flow Instabilities Part 1 At first order, eqns. (7) et (8) lead to:
u p = u p e
0
t v
with
v =
ps D 2 p 18
Tp = Tp e
0
t T
with
3 C T = Pr v 2 Cp
Finally, expressing Fp et Qp as functions of the fluctuating velocity and temperature (which, at first order, can be directly linked to pN/x and pN , one gets:
Fpi = p ~ N 2 x 1+( v ) i 1i v i + T ~ C pN C p 1+( T ) 2
Q p =
These are then incorporated into eqns. (21) et (22). With some further approximations, valid for small and for C/Cp et C/Cv close to unity, the particular damping term can be expressed as:
2 p d~ N dV dx T C v + ( 1) p = 2 1+( v ) 2 k 2 ~ N 2 dV C p 1+( T ) 2 N p
(30)
Please note that on the contrary to the preceding terms, this expression involves a volume effect. For the simple cylindrical motor, this expression becomes:
p = T C v + ( 1) C p 1+( T ) 2 2 1+( v ) 2
and finally:
p fq v T C = + ( 1) C p 1+( T ) 2 1+( v ) 2
Neglecting the thermal term, the optimum damping is obtained for v = 1, which leads to:
( p ) opt = 9 2 ps D 2 p and (f ) opt = 9 ps D 2 p
(D p ) opt =
9 ps f
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Motor Flow Instabilities Part 1 This relation can be used to adjust the propellant loading to damp potentially unstable modes (most of the time, the feared tangential modes) by selecting the proper particle sizes.
Conclusion/Limitations
The above sections described the engineer tools for predicting motor stability. In practical situations, which depart from the simple cylindrical motor considered here, this task involves the determination of the reference acoustic modes and the evaluation of the stability integrals. Inputs to the model are the propellant response function, the nozzle admittance and the particular phase sizes. These can be obtained from experiments, dedicated to that characterization effort, and bear some uncertainties, sometimes quite large, due to the complex physical mechanisms involved. This, added to the fact that some difficulties arise from the formulation itself (e.g. how to express the flow-turning loss or the nozzle admittance in complex geometries), makes the acoustic balance a useful tool of limited validity. It is not surprising that stability is predicted most of the time, while unstable motors keep haunting the rocket engineers nights.
FLOW STABILITY
Presentation
From what precedes, it is clear that some sources of instability are missing from the acoustic balance approach. Flandro and Jacobs [16] were the first to mention the vortex-shedding as a possible additional driving to the motor stability balance. It was viewed as a coupling between a shear layer instability (in the hydrodynamic sense) and the chamber acoustic. First works considered simple correlations in term of critical Strouhal numbers (see [17] for a detailed presentation). These Strouhal numbers were based on the mean axial velocity (U) and either on the port diameter (D): (St)D , or on the stand-off distance between the vortex generation point and its impact, l , (St)l: (St)D = fD/U and (St)l = fl/U References [18-24] present interesting attempts to use correlations of this type. However, it must be stressed that such correlations have a limited predictive merit and can be compared to the celebrated age of the capitain formula (mast height divided by the ship speed): all the difficulty lies in the proportionality constant which has no universal quality. Reference [20] goes one step further in using the Rossiters formula to correlate the observed frequencies. This approach uses the relative time delays of the vortex emission to the acoustic feedback. The figure hereafter illustrates this point of view.
Acoustic feedback Acoustic excitation
Vortex generation
l m kU
Vortex impact
T
Figure 4: Illustration of the Vortex-Shedding Phenomenon.
RTO-EN-023
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Motor Flow Instabilities Part 1 Let T be the time period of the vortex-shedding, k the ratio of vortex displacement velocity to the mean axial flow velocity, U, an empirical constant representing the time delay between vortex impact and acoustic wave emission and m the number of vortices on distance l , then one gets: mT = l/kU + l/c + T k and are empirical constants that must be case adjusted from the measurement of the frequency. Reference [20] uses this relationship to express (St)l as:
(St ) l = leading to: f = m M +1 / k
U m U k (m ) l M +1 / k l
(31)
M is the Mach number associated to U and can be neglected before 1/k (always greater than 1). Application of this formula to the Titan SRMU leads to values of m in the range 5-12, and to k = 0.58 and = 0.25, which is in reasonable agreement with previous works (see [20]). It is important to stress that such an approach is simplified and cannot be fully predictive. However it turns out to be quite useful in interpreting firing test measurements. The most complete approach to this problem is that of Flandro [22]. Vortex properties (wave length, displacement speed) are derived from the hydrodynamic stability analysis of the velocity profile at the origin of vortex-shedding. The impact mechanisms are modelized through a localized volumetric force. References [17, 23-25] present applications of this method to the Ariane 5 MPS P230 solid boosters. The aim is to derive a vortex-shedding additional term, VS , to the acoustic balance results. However, non realist values are obtained (due to the strong linear growth of the vortices) and the method was limited to a qualitative analysis (driving or damping effects) that is based on the phase difference between the vortices at impact and the acoustic field. This method will not be further detailed here, although it represents a unique attempt to quantify the Rossiters equation from first principles, because it was found to be extremely sensitive to unknown details, such as the precise location of the vortex origin. The interested readers are referred to references [22-25 and 17]. Looking back at the acoustic balance approach, it is interesting to look at the implications of rotational fields on the final equations (see [26, 17]). Indeed, assuming that the unsteady velocity is no longer aligned with the gradient of the acoustic pressure, additional terms result from the linearization of the u.u term in the RHS of eqn. (20). These terms take the following form:
~ ~ ~ ~ k 2 [u.(u - u N )] ~ N dV + ( u ). ~ N dV + ( u ). ~ N dV p p p N

These integrals are difficult to evaluate in general and need to know the flow organization in the volume of the motor. However, it is interesting to note that the last integral implies unsteady vorticity and can be related to the vortex-shedding phenomenon. For a two-dimensional flow its integrand reduces to:
~ z v ~ N p x
It can be argued that this integrand takes significant values at localized points inside the motor chamber, ~ such as the nozzle entrance where z and v are large, thus providing a natural way to introduce the
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Motor Flow Instabilities Part 1 coupling between the vortical and the acoustic fields. The volume integral can then be reduced to a surface integral at the vortex impact point as proposed by Flandro.
Intrinsic Non-Linear Nature

Attempts to complement the basic acoustic balance approach are impeded by difficulties linked to the departure of the unsteady field, in particular the velocity field, from the pure acoustic vision. Indeed, the flow-turning debate illustrates the difficulty in incorporating unsteady vorticity in the acoustic framework, while the vortex-shedding issue exemplifies the difficulties in taking care of flow instabilities in the linear framework. The fact that the mean flow can become unstable by its own is now an accepted result. The fact that this unstable behavior cannot easily fit into the acoustic framework is also becoming evident. One of the reasons that one can invoke is that flow instability evolves on its own, as an independent mechanism, with no need to an acoustic reference. The attempts to treat separately these two independent mechanisms from variable decomposition: mean and fluctuating flows, with the fluctuating flow composed of an compressible irrotational (acoustic component) and an incompressible rotational (vortical component) components, at the basis of Flandros approach, failed to provide useful results. The reason of failure lied not in the necessary coupling equations, which could be written, but rather in the difficulty to describe the vortical evolutions. Indeed, vortical flow can be characterized in its linear regime (initial growth of instability waves) with proven methods (Orr-Sommerfeld type approaches) but growth rates in this early linear regime are quite high and the vortical field rapidly enters some form of non-linear regimes which are much more complex to model. The fact that in most situations the interactions between the two unsteady fields occur when the vortical fields has become non-linear, may explain the failure of the above mentioned approaches. Most of the time, observable vortices are the results of a non-linear growth process. As a consequence, our knowledge of such vortices and of their dependencies on the known parameters is blurred by the non-linear growth stage of initial unstable vortical waves, a process which most of the time remains beyond our present understanding. However it is of major importance to better understand the initial destabilisation mechanisms, simply because they have definite frequency signatures and sensitivities to flow characteristics which must be known in order to understand their potential effectiveness to couple with acoustic waves and produce harmful vortices. Controlling the early stage of flow instabilities is undoubtedly an effective mean of avoiding unwanted motor instabilities driven by some form of vortex-shedding. In that view the knowledge of flow stability characteristics is an essential prerequisite to any attempt in controlling motor flow driven instabilities. This is detailed in the second paper devoted to the stability theory.
Model Requirements
From what precedes, it is clear that if motor flow driven instabilities have to be predicted, one has to rely on a model that has the ability to describe, in the same framework, both the acoustic waves and the vortical waves (including non-linear interactions). From that point of view, the full numerical solution of the compressible Navier-Stokes equations provides the needed framework. However, since the instabilities can be viewed as resonance mechanisms that involve the motor chamber acoustic modes and unstable couplings of physical phenomenons linked to the mean flow, the NavierStokes equations have to be completed to include all the needed phenomenons. Considering the nature of the solid propellant rocket internal flows, identified physical mechanisms are: the mean flow itself, including sheared flows, nozzle flows, and turbulence, the propellant combustion at the burning surface,
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Motor Flow Instabilities Part 1 the combustion of aluminum droplets carried by the flow, the structure motions (as possibly affecting the mean and unsteady flows).
Finally, the model should be able: a) to propagate the acoustic waves, b) to describe the details of the internal flow, including the capture of acoustically forced vorticity waves as well as flow instabilities and their non-linear growth, c) to include some form of condensed phase model (inert and reactive), d) to couple with propellant combustion models, e) to couple with solid mechanic models. This analysis concluded that full solutions of the compressible unsteady Navier-Stokes equations, including reactive two-phase flow treatments should be sought. Indeed, as already mentioned, such solutions have the capability to describe both the acoustic and flow vorticity, without the need to separate the solution in several flow components. We have underlined that this poses some problems for describing each component in a compatible way. Further, such a model could be coupled through its boundary conditions to propellant combustion models and solid mechanic codes, to permit a complete description of the identified mechanisms. This would then provide an unprecedented tool for analyzing motor instabilities. However, such a solution would necessarily rely on a numerical solution of the equations and some concerns were raised about the ability of the numerical procedure to faithfully describe the solution, due to numerical errors and grid size requirements. As a consequence, it was agreed that such a solution method should pass through a severe validation procedure before it could be safely used in predicting motor stability. This validation requirement posed in turn some constraints which were the need for detailed measurements in known situations to provide the data against which the numerical results would be validated. This was quite a new constraint and it promoted a series of unique research works, sometimes of ingrate nature, that had to be performed to sustain the construction of this new tool. Here ingrate must be understood, not as scientifically uninteresting works but rather as far from actual motor applications and thus implying difficulties in being funded and fully appreciated by program managers. However, such works were essential and ranked from: Cold flow simulators in which detailed velocity measurements could be performed and compared to numerical simulation results, Analytical solutions of unstable flow regimes, Dedicated lab scale motors with high quality and numerous measurements to gain real firing tests data, Meticulous characterization efforts to provide the model inputs. These comprised condensed phase characterizations, details of the propellant composition, including characterizations of AP and aluminum size distributions, and unsteady propellant combustion responses function determinations, Dedicated models for combustion mechanisms and fluid-structure couplings, Dedicated and documented test cases for model evaluations.
Such works have be carried out in Europe thanks to the Ariane 5 related programs and represent a valuable asset for the development of a comprehensive model for motor stability predictions. For the first time,
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Motor Flow Instabilities Part 1 at the end of that research effort, actual unstable motor behaviors could be simulated numerically and produced results that agreed both in frequency and in oscillatory amplitude, with motor measurements. Results of such quality were judged unattainable at the start of the research effort and are worth to be celebrated. Of course much remains to be done yet, to guarantee the capability of a priori predictions from scratch (i.e. before any firings are performed).
STABILITY THEORY
This part is described in details in the second paper.
DEALING WITH FLOW STABILITY

Experimental Evidences
From early works of Flandro et al., it was expected that flow instabilities could drive unstable motors. In particular, it was stressed that inflectional velocity profiles, as created above protruding obstacles or at propellant grain discontinuities could be at the origin of unstable flows, prone to produce vortex-shedding driven instabilities. The works carried out in the USA, relative to the Space Shuttle and the Titan boosters, clearly demonstrated that vortex-shedding could drive the first longitudinal modes of the motor [27-30, 18-22]. The works of Dunlap et al. [19] established that for such large segmented space boosters, protruding inhibitor rings, such those created by the front ends thermal insulations of propellant segments (typically the aft segments), could be at the origin of highly sheared flow that produced periodic vortexshedding driving the motors unstable. This was also observed in Ariane 5 boosters [31]. The resulting mild pressure oscillations were disturbing since all these motors were predicted stable by the acoustic balance method and more annoying, they produced significant thrust oscillations, due to high pressure to thrust ratio (of the order of 10). This high value of the ratio can be straightforwardly explained from geometric and phase relationships. Moreover, the low frequencies associated with these large motors (recall that f1L a/2L) rendered such oscillations undesirable since they were able to couple to the structural modes and thus to propagate easily to the launcher structure and payloads. The vortical origin of these oscillations can be traced to their particular frequency signatures. Indeed it was observed that instabilities followed peculiar frequency tracks, showing decreasing frequencies and sudden jumps around the pure acoustic frequency. For example, the figure below shows the time evolution of the head end pressure power spectral density for one subscale firing. The particular frequency tracks around chamber acoustic mode frequencies (solid lines) is evident. The decrease of the frequency during motor burn was viewed as an indication of the driving being the result of flow instabilities, linked to the mean flow axial velocity. Indeed in most solid propellant motors the axial velocity continuously decreases, due to increasing motor port area, as propellant burns out. The jumps were viewed as system adaptation to changing conditions: when the vortex driving frequency falls too far away from the acoustic frequency, an increase in the number of vortices occurs (see eqn. 31) to bring back the driving frequency in the acoustic range. Such behaviors could not be explained by the acoustic balance approaches and were considered as evidence of an hydrodynamic origin of the oscillations.
RTO-EN-023
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Figure 5: Typical Frequency Tracks for Flow Driven Instabilities (LP3 E Firing).
In Europe the development of the Ariane 5 segmented solid rocket motor promoted researches in that area, looking to unstable behaviors of segmented motors. A subscale motor was designed from a simplified, 1/15th scale, geometry of Ariane 5 P230 MPS solid rocket motor. Cylindrical propellant grains were used and a non-aluminized propellant was chosen. Since the emphasis was put on flow driven instabilities it was thought that details of the combustion should be of secondary importance. The overall P230 segmentation scheme was reproduced with a propellant loading composed of three segments: a short head end segment of limited burn time (roughly 20% of total burn time), two longer mid and aft segments. As in the full scale motor, a submerged nozzle assembly was retained. This motor was named LP3 and five configurations were fire tested [24, 32]. For each configuration, two firings were performed to check for reproducibility. The configurations differed between each other by segment arrangements, as depicted in figure 6 below. LP3 A Nominal configuration: mid and aft segments inhibited on their forward ends Inhibitor rings on both ends of the mid-segment. Aft segment free of inhibitor. Mid segment inhibitor moved to segment aft end. Mid and aft segment replaced by a single longer segment Aft segment free of inhibitor
Figure 6: The LP3 Configurations.
LP3 B
LP3 C LP3 D LP3 E
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Motor Flow Instabilities Part 1 These configurations permitted a parametric study of the second inter-segment arrangement (termed IS2) which was suspected to be at the origin of the unstable sheared flow capable of driving motor instability. Configurations A, D and E produced the most remarkable results, with clearly different behaviors. The figures below, taken from reference [33] illustrates these results. They show head end pressure power spectral densities (psd).
LP3 A: firing 1/91
LP3 D: firing 2/91
LP3 E: firing 1/93
Figure 7: Typical Results of LP3 Motors (Head-End Power Spectral Densities) NB : f1L 300 Hz, f2L 600 Hz, f3L 900 Hz.
These results show that all three configurations were unstable and that the frequency tracks were organized around the first three longitudinal modes. Decreasing frequency tracks with sudden jumps are clearly visible and indicate that the observed instabilities belong to flow driven instability regimes. References [24, 25] present the results of the acoustic balance approach that was applied to all LP3 configurations and concluded that the motors should be stable. These results were at the origin of a brand new understanding of flow instabilities. Before these results, it was accepted that in segmented motors, like those of the US Space Shuttle, US Titan launcher or the European Ariane 5 MPS, the protruding inhibitor ring at the IS2 location was the major source of vortex-shedding, due to the highly sheared flow around the obstacle created by the protrusion of the inhibitor. This situation is present in LP3 A and results show that it produces instabilities, early in the burn, at high frequencies (around the third longitudinal mode, close to 900 Hz). The other results were rather surprising, since significant amplitudes were recorded despite the motor configurations do not comprise protrusion of obstacle in the flow. This was viewed as an indication that another mechanism for flow instabilities was present. The fact that LP3 D configuration was unstable was in itself like an earthquake in our understanding. How such a simple geometry (at the time where instabilities are observed, the motor was very much a pure cylindrical grain) can produce flow instabilities ? This question motivated the throughout analysis of the Taylors flow stability, as described in the second paper. The results of that analysis were beyond all expectations. They clearly showed that the simple Taylors flow bore in itself the roots of instabilities [34]. This rather simple flow (velocity field expresses as mere sine and cosine laws) was found to undergo intrinsic destabilization at a moderate critical abscissa of x/R close to 3 (for axisymmetric configurations), and mostly independently of the flow Reynolds number. Moreover the frequencies of the early unstable waves were found to lie in the range of longitudinal acoustic mode frequencies. This opened the way for a radically new interpretation of unstable flow regimes, driven by intrinsic flow instability. This was supported by unprecedented full numerical simulations of motor instabilities [35]. These showed that observed instabilities in LP3 D and LP3 E configurations were of a same nature and implied a coupling of
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Motor Flow Instabilities Part 1 Taylors flow intrinsic unstable waves with longitudinal acoustic modes of the chamber. This coupling produced what was called parietal vortex-shedding: vortices are generated at the burning surface and move downstream until they interact with the submerged nozzle. Afterward, it was noted that first hints of Taylors flow instabilities were mentioned and detailed in the synthesis article of Dunlap et al. [36].
Simplified Approaches
In the quest for situations that would permit the full numerical model validation it was decided to use Flandros approach to devise the simplest motor that could produce vortex-shedding driven instabilities. From the ingredients of Flandros explanation to unstable motor it was retained that, in order to devise a whistling motor, one would need to produce a mean flow with a localized inflectional profile whose unstable frequencies could match the chamber first longitudinal modes frequencies. That work, described in details in [17, 23], consisted in devising an unstable motor from first principles and is worth being related here as an example of the use of simplified methods to analyze flow driven instabilities. The starting point is a simple motor geometry used for code evaluation that comprises a prismatic grain geometry. This geometry produces an inflectional velocity profile at the exit of the cylindrical portion of the grain (here x=155 mm), as described in figure 8 below.
Figure 8: Simple Motor Geometry Producing an Inflectional Velocity Profile at x=155 mm.
Under the assumption of parallel flow, it is possible to characterize the stability properties of this profile from Orr-Sommerfeld type equations, in their spatial growth formulation. In this formulation velocities are expressed relative to U, the velocity difference across the shear layer and distances are expressed relative to , the thickness of the shear layer. The time scale is thus /U. The main result is the complex dimensionless wave number a= ar + iai , obtained as a function of the real dimensionless frequency, expressed as a Strouhal number, cr = 2f/U. The opposite of the imaginary part of the wave number, -ai , represents the spatial growth rate and the ratio Kv = cr/ar is the vortex phase velocity in U units. These results are depicted in figure 9 below.
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Figure 9: Stability Properties of the Inflectional Profile.
The results of the Orr-Sommerfeld solver can be viewed as universal curves, characterizing profiles of similar shapes, defined by their values for and U. For such profiles, the most unstable frequency is given by cr = 0.3 with an associated vortical wave length, v = 2/ar = Kv(2/cr). From fig. 9 it is useful to note that there exists an upper limit (cr 1.6) above which no unstable waves can be sustained. The coefficient Kv is the ratio cr/ar and is also a direct result of the velocity profile stability analysis. It represents the ratio of the vortex displacement velocity to the shear layer velocity difference U. This is a useful information if phase relationship have to be compared, as in the Rossiters approach (coefficient k). In order to devise a whistling motor, one has to verify that: a) the most unstable frequency of the vortical waves matches the chamber longitudinal acoustic mode frequency, b) the stand-off distance separating the vortex emission point to the interaction point, assumed to be localized at the nozzle entrance, is sufficient to contain an integer number of vortices of wave length v. These two conditions are necessary conditions to produce vortex driven instabilities. Experience show that they are also, in most cases, sufficient conditions. It is then a simple matter to adjust the motor chamber length (which governs the frequency of the qth longitudinal mode, fq = q a0/2L), by increasing the distance between the downstream end of the propellant grain and the nozzle, to verify the two conditions stated above. Considering an actual motor, propellant combustion implies a continuous increase of the internal grain port diameter, D, and consequently a continuous decrease of the mean flow axial velocity, U, at the grain downstream end (from simple mass balance). Assuming that and U are known functions of D and U: = KD and U = KUU, one can follow the evolution of the vortical wave properties during motor burn. This will permit final adjustments. This exercise was performed on a laboratory scale motor configuration and resulted in the C1xb motor depicted in figure 10 below. The stand-off distance from propellant end to the nozzle entrance plane was adjusted to provide frequency match during most of the motor burn time. In the frequency versus propellant web distance burned plot, we followed the time evolution of the frequencies corresponding to cr = 0.3 (most amplified frequency) and cr = 1.6 (upper frequency limit of the unstable velocity profile) in the grid formed with the chamber acoustic mode frequencies (horizontal lines). It clearly appears that
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Motor Flow Instabilities Part 1 the range of possibly excited modes rapidly narrows to the first acoustic mode, in the second half of the firing.
STABLE
UNSTABLE
Figure 10: C1xb Motor Design from the Simple Frequency Match.
Although the acoustic frequencies never match the most amplified frequency, it was anticipated that the motor would be unstable. Indeed, a coupling path is available since the acoustic frequency of the first mode lies in the range of the shear layer unstable frequencies. In that vision, the shear layer is a mere broad band amplifier and will naturally tune to available frequencies. This actually worked. The C1xb motor was constructed and fired several time at ONERA, in the framework of J. Dupayss thesis [37, 38]. Good reproducibility was observed and the motor was used in the validation work of the full numerical approaches (see below). Figure 11 illustrates the results of one C1xb firing. It clearly shows that, after a first phase where higher frequencies are present a second phase occurs with a clear flow driven motor destabilization on the first mode frequency, around 700 Hz.
Figure 11: Example of One C1xb Firing Test. Head end unsteady pressure time history and psd.
The same simplified approach can be carried out from the stability properties of the Taylors flow (detailed in the second part of this paper). The starting point is again the frequency range of early vortical waves. Again, the velocity and length scales are directly obtained from the stability analysis: Vinj is the injection velocity, and h, the height (or radius) of the chamber. The knowledge of the frequencies of possible unstable waves, in Vinj/h units, permits to identify configurations whose acoustic frequencies of
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Motor Flow Instabilities Part 1 interest can be matched. This provides the necessary ingredients for positive coupling and permits to identify configurations that would be prone to acoustic resonances. Again this exercise was done for the 2D planar VECLA cold gas set-up and produced remarkable results [39-42]. Figure 12 below represents the results of the hydrodynamic stability analysis in the form of the wave growth factor as a function of dimensionless frequency and the dimensionless distance from the head-end.
Figure 12: Results of the Stability Analysis of the Taylors Flow. Spatial amplification factor as a function of dimensionless frequency and distance from the head-end.
However, simple frequency match considerations are not always sufficient to describe conditions for acoustic resonances, in particular for the type of instability like Taylors flow instability. Other parameters must be included, such as vortical wave growth distance, non-linear saturation, amplitudes, non parallel nature of the flow (its stability properties depend on x) and phases and amplitudes at interaction points. Two critical interaction points have been identified: motor exit or nozzle entrance point where the vortices exchange energy with the acoustic waves and receptivity point where the acoustic waves feed back to the vortical waves. At the present time these issues are not yet fully settled, although some clear trends have been pointed out in B. Ugurtas and J. Griffond theses [43, 44]. Simple approaches are interesting because they permit to summarize the accumulated knowledge in simple relationships that help understanding the mechanisms that govern such delicate couplings. However they cannot provide quantitative results and full numerical approaches are then needed. It must be noted that although very powerful, the full numerical approaches would only give global results (much like an experiment) that will require, in turn, some form of analysis to build some knowledge.
Full Numerical Approaches

The full numerical approaches provide an unprecedented mean to analyze the details of the flow field during flow driven motor instabilities. In particular, the ability to see the internal details of the flow field has proven to be useful in classifying the flow regimes that led to motor instabilities. We already mentioned the role of the numerical simulations in pinpointing the Taylors flow instability origin of the instabilities in the LP3 D/E motor. The results of the full numerical approach permitted to identify three types of flows that led to motor instabilities. Obstacle vortex-shedding (termed VSO from the French acronym vortex-shedding dobstacle) where the shear layer responsible for the shedding of vortices is created by a protruding obstacle (such as an inhibitor ring). This corresponds to the first idea from the US experience on the Space Shuttle SRB and early Titan IIIC/D then 34D motors, but also to the nominal version of the LP3 subscale motor, LP3 A. This situation is illustrated below.
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Corner vortex-shedding (termed VSA from the French acronym vortex-shedding dangle) corresponding to simplest case where shedding was produced by an obstacleless shear layer (jetting effect) corresponding to the C1xb situation, illustrated below.
Surface or parietal vortex-shedding (VSP from the French acronym vortex-shedding parital) where the shedding results from an intrinsic instability of the internal flow, corresponding to versions D and E of the LP3 motor, without aft segment inhibitor rings, the cold flow set-up Vecla but also to the recent TITAN IV/SRMU motor. The figure below illustrates this situation.
The benefits of the full approaches are not limited to this useful insight nor to the capability to treat both acoustic and vortical waves in the single framework of the compressible full (non-linear) Navier-Stokes equations. Although important these are not sufficient to open the way to useable stability previsions in real motors. We have seen that most of the time, mild pressure oscillations are present in motors predicted stable from acoustic balance method. The important information are then the frequency and the amplitude of these pressure oscillations, as well as their efficiency in translating to thrust oscillations. The full approaches must then have the capability in providing such information. This implies that some of the phenomenons identified in fig. 1 that are missing in the approach have to be taken care of. Since phenomenons numbered 2, 3 and 5 (nozzle flow, vorticity waves and vortex-shedding) are already included in the full Navier-Stokes approach, models must be devised for including the phenomenons numbered 1, 4 and 6 on fig. 1 (propellant combustion, two-phase flow and turbulence). To these internal phenomenons, the possible coupling with the motor case or elements of structure must be added. Under these conditions, the full numerical approaches will become a useful tool for an oscillation free motor design (quiet motor). Research work is heading in that direction and the present state of the art is coming close to that requirement. This will be illustrated by three examples in the next section. Most of these examples have been obtained in the validation stage. Indeed, as already mentioned, the validation of the numerical tools is of first importance and represent the price to pay for a reliable prevision of motor stability and/or control. References [45-50] are examples worth mentioning to complement other cited references.
Examples
Example 1: The C1xb and VSA From the beginning, the C1xb motor was designed as to be a first stage of validation at the laboratory scale. As described in J. Dupays thesis the emphasis was put on the two-phase flow effects, combined with vortex-shedding driven oscillations. Following first demonstration of effective motor destabilization, as presented here above, the motor was fired with propellants having different inert particle loadings. Although this work produced unprecedented results, in particular on the influence of the inert particles on
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Motor Flow Instabilities Part 1 oscillatory levels (to the contrary of the ideas inherited from the acoustic balance approach described earlier, amplitudes were not always decreased by the presence of condensed phase) it was limited by the difficulties in characterizing the propellant combustion response. A quantitative comparison in term of frequency and amplitude was nevertheless conducted few years later, once propellant characterization became available. This is described in [51] and the main results are presented below. The propellant response function is treated as an unsteady boundary condition that is derived from the linear relationship defining the pressure coupled response function R MP () =
& & m' () m & . Here m is the injected mass flow p' () p
rate, prime denotes unsteady components and overbar mean values. Then the resulting unsteady injected mass flow rate is expressed as a convolution integral:
& & m( t ) = m + & m p
t t0
R ()(p( t ) p )d
with R() being the impulse response associated to the frequency response RMP ():
R ( t ) = TF 1 [R MP ()]
This simple boundary condition proved to be quite effective and produced quasi-perfect agreement between the experimental measurements and the computations. Due to uncertainties in the propellant characterization two response curves were considered. Although these curves largely differed, the results were found to be significantly improved with both response functions. The figure below presents the unsteady flow field in the C1xb motor at the 10.7 mm web distance burned which was chosen for the comparison, and the following table summarizes the quantitative results, in terms of pressure amplitudes and frequency.
Figure 13: C1xb Flow Field at 10.7 mm of Web Distance Burned.
No response Head-end amplitude (hPa) (relative error) Aft-end amplitude(PC6) (hPa) (relative error) Frequency (Hz) (relative error) Frequency resolution (Hz) 12.7 (71%) 15.5 (39%) 740 (3.8%) 23
Response #1 (mne) 28.5 (35%) 20.6 (20%) 720 (1.0%) 23
Response #2 (glk) 43.1 (2%) 26.6 (4%) 715 (0.3%) 23
Experiment 43.9 25.6 713 10
The no response results were found to be improved for both response functions. In particular, the ratio of head-end to aft-end pressure amplitudes together with the oscillation frequency were found to better match the experimental measurements. Best results were obtained with the second response curve with an almost perfect agreement. It must be stressed that it was the first time that full approach results could be
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Motor Flow Instabilities Part 1 compared to actual firing test measurements. The rather satisfactory agreement was seen as an evidence that the full approach was sound and could provide quantitative stability data, such as frequency and amplitude of limit cycle oscillations in actual motors. Example 2: The VECLA Set-Up and the VSP The VECLA cold flow set-up of ONERA was extensively used to understand the VSP mechanism and to validate the full numerical approach. The VECLA set-up is a modular air fed set-up. It is 2D planar and the length to height ratio can be varied through variation of chamber height (the length of the porous wall is fixed at 581 mm but the height can be varied from 30 to 10 mm). It can be tested with or without a choked nozzle. In the configuration without nozzle, the injection velocity can be easily varied by changing the air mass flow rate. This provided a very convenient mean to control the flow field inside the VECLA set-up. At least three different behaviors were documented: a) For large length to height ratio (h=10mm) transition to turbulence was observed inside the chamber. b) For moderate length to height ratio (h=20mm) acoustic resonance could be produced for a definite range of injection velocity. c) For small length to height ratio (h=30mm) no acoustic resonance nor turbulent transition are observed. However, the flow exhibits local instabilities that can be compared to the stability analysis. All three regimes were used to validate the full numerical approach. Case a) served to validate turbulence models [52] and will not be detailed here. Case c) provided unprecedented check of the linear stability results, as described in the second paper. Unstable wave frequency range and spatial growth rate were found to match the stability results. These results were also used to check the full Navier-Stokes approach, as described in B. Ugurtas thesis [43]. The claim was that the full Navier-Stokes solution contains the early hydrodynamically unstable waves. This was verified in case c). Simulations were performed and the unsteady field was extracted from the full Navier-Stokes solutions by Fourier transforms at given frequencies. The shape and growth rate of the unstable waves were compared to the linear stability results and showed good agreement, as illustrated by the figures 14 and 15 below.
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Figure 14: Comparison of the Navier-Stokes Results with the Linear Stability Analysis. Velocity spectrum and spatial amplification factor.
Figure 15: Comparison of the Navier-Stokes Results with the Linear Stability Analysis. Amplitude and phase of the velocity radial profile.
This established the ability of the Navier-Stokes solver to properly describe the early destabilization processes of the Taylors flow. Case b) was also used to check the ability of the full Navier-Stokes approach to reproduce acoustic resonance regimes. For this case, the ratio Vinj/h could be adjusted so as the unstable stability wave frequencies match the chamber longitudinal mode frequencies. Clear cases of acoustic resonance could be observed in a definite injection velocity range. By imposing a time variation of the injection velocity in the Navier-Stokes simulations resonances could be simulated in good agreement with the experimental results. This is illustrated by figure 16 below.
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Figure 16: Comparison of the Navier-Stokes Results (right) with the Experimental Results (left). Velocity psd as a function of the injection velocity.
Satisfactory qualitative agreement is observed, establishing the ability of the full approach to reproduce resonant regimes in VSP situations. However, the oscillatory amplitudes were found to be over-estimated. Reference [53] presents an effort to bridge the amplitude gap. In that work, the negative response function of the porous wall was included in the simulation (on the contrary to burning propellant, the porous wall has a negative response to pressure waves, resulting in significant damping of the excited acoustic waves). In an attempt to better stick to the experiment, the flow destabilization in the numerical solution relied on a white noise, introduced at the porous surface vicinity, whose characteristic was matched with the measured injection noise. This produced a marked decrease of the simulated oscillatory amplitude being now comparable to actually measured amplitudes, as displayed in figure 17.
Figure 17: Head-End Pressure Spectra. From left to right: a) Initial Navier-Stokes solution; b) Navier-Stokes with porous wall response and white noise model; c) Experiment.
The exemplary simplicity of the VECLA set-up permitted to go one step further in establishing the validity of the full numerical approach and to actually see the so-called parietal vortices. Following Prof. Culicks suggestion, the injected flow was seeded with acetone and laser induced fluorescence permitted to actually see the vortices in the VECLA set-up [54]. It must be stressed that this constituted a world premiere that confirmed that the computed vortices were indeed present in the experimental set-up. Figure 18 below illustrates this result.
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Figure 18: PLIF Images of Vortices in VECLA Set-Up (top) Compared to the Computed Vorticity Field (bottom).
Example 3: An Actual Motor (VSP + VSO) Application to an actual full scale motor was rendered possible by the validation effort depicted in the preceding examples and completed by a two-phase flow model that was also validated [37-38, 55]. Considering that the actual Ariane 5 motor used an aluminized propellant, the two-phase flow solver was completed by a very basic aluminum combustion model. This model was based on the d2 model that links the aluminum droplet burn time to the square of its diameter. Realistic value for the reaction heat was used. The inter-phase source terms in the balance equations were thus modified to include the mass and energy exchanges due to droplet combustion. This is detailed in reference [56]. Then the early K4 configuration of the Ariane 5 P230 was simulated, with or without the reactive twophase model. The chosen time point was that of maximum of observed oscillatory amplitude. The retained experimental configuration was that of the M1 firing test at 95 s into the burn. This work showed that simulations without aluminum combustion were not satisfactory since they could not reproduce the oscillation frequency and amplitude. Detailed analysis of the numerical results showed two competing mechanisms: the VSO vortices from the protruding inhibitor, at a higher frequency, close to the third acoustic mode frequency and the VSP vortices that developed along the aft segment, at the lower first mode frequency. This competition resulted in the absence of acoustic resonance. On the other hand, when aluminum combustion was introduced, the VSP was reinforced to the point that it became dominant and forced the VSO to tune to the first acoustic mode frequency. This resulted in marked resonance in better agreement with the experimental results. This is illustrated by the following figure.
Figure 19: M1 Results for the Single Phase (left) and Reactive Two-Phase (right) Models. Head-end pressure time history and spectrum, vorticity field. RTO-EN-023 7 - 31
Motor Flow Instabilities Part 1 The computed frequency was then close to the first acoustic mode frequency and the oscillatory amplitudes were comparable to the measured amplitudes. Of course, this result depends on the model inputs, particularly the size of the aluminum droplets and of the alumina residues, as well as on model details or inhibitor ring properties (deformation, vibrations, ...) which may have some incidences on the computed flow field. Such data are still not perfectly known and some characterization and modeling works are still needed before a satisfactory prediction can be guaranteed in such complex full scale motor configurations. Example 4: Active Control Demonstration To complete this example section, it is interesting to illustrate the capability of the full numerical approach to validate closed loop active control concepts. The idea was to use the full Navier-Stokes solution to evaluate control strategies and to demonstrate the feasibility to control flow driven instabilities. It was then decided to use the simulated flow field in the simplest VSA configuration. The test case C1 was used. This test case is the first configuration designed with the simplified approach, as described above for the C1xb motor. On the contrary to the C1xb motor, it is a purely numerical test case [23] that has been used at the beginning of the Navier-Stokes codes validation effort. It is fully documented and has been computed many times by many codes. Roughly speaking, the active control loop is composed of: A transducer that records the state of the internal flow, An actuator that is capable of acting on the flow field, A controller that processes the transducer signal into a signal that is fed to the actuator.
This is completed by an identification step that defines the actual transfer function between the actuator and the transducer. During operation, the controller adjusts its own transfer function to minimize the output signal of the transducer. The work presented here is the result of a cooperation between the EM2C lab at ECP and ONERA. It is described in details in M. Mettenleiters thesis and in reference [57, 58]. Transducer was normally taken as computed pressure at the nozzle entrance section but a numerical vorticity transducer was also tested. Actuator was modelized by distributed mass sources, representing an injection of a reactive fluid. Actuator was placed at the chamber head-end (case 1) but some tests were also performed with an actuator placed in the vicinity of the unstable shear layer (case 2). Figure 20 below presents the control scheme for C1 test case. Two main control strategies were tested. They belonged to anti-noise control and to noise source control. In the latter strategy the aim is to actively control the source at the origin of the acoustic resonance rather than controlling the resulting acoustic wave.
IC
Identification/Contrle
IC
Figure 20: Control Schemes for the C1 Test Case.
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Motor Flow Instabilities Part 1 The control algorithm was introduced as Fortran subroutines into the Navier-Stokes solver. Special attention was given to the calling sequence between the Navier-Stokes solver iterative time integration and the controller own process. Adapted filtering steps were added to the coupling procedure, in order to take care of the very different time scales between to two programs. Indeed, the time step of the explicit Navier-Stokes solver is of the order of 10-7 s, while the time scale of the controller is of the order of 10-4 s. Under such conditions, very significant reductions of the oscillatory amplitude could be demonstrated. One of the difficulty was that the acoustic resonance could occur in a large frequency range. This is illustrated on figure 10 that shows that at given web distance burned, several acoustic modes lie in the unstable range. The direct consequence was that once the motor was controlled on its initial resonant frequency, it shifted to another resonance at a higher frequency, corresponding to the next acoustic mode. Then the controller had to adjust itself to the new condition. This illustrated the benefit of an adaptive active control loop, as the one proposed by EM2C/ECP, for the flow driven instability under consideration. Control was achieved in the standard configuration (nozzle end pressure transducer + head-end actuator) that could correspond to an actual motor configuration. However, the numerical approach permitted to test other configurations, not yet fully adaptable to an actual motor, such as the vorticity transducer combined with an actuator located in the vicinity of the unstable shear layer (case 2). Not surprisingly, this latter configuration exhibited better performance in term of time to control and residual amplitudes. Figure 21 below illustrates this performance.
Before control
Head-end pressure
After control
Figure 21: Demonstration of Adaptive Active Control in C1 Test Case (Case 2).
CONCLUSIONS/UNSETTLED ISSUES
The intensive research effort conducted in the past 12 years in the framework of the European Ariane 5 launcher related programs has produced a new vision for motor instability. It is now clear that instabilities must be approached in a global fashion that puts the internal flow field and related phenomenons, such as gaseous and condensed phase combustion, vorticity (in the form of acoustically forced vorticity waves, developed vortices or early flow instability waves) and structural response, in the center of the investigation. The early acoustic balance approaches, although extremely profitable in term of understanding and isolating physical phenomenons, could not produce the expected answers for motor sustaining mild amplitude limit cycle pressure oscillations.
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Motor Flow Instabilities Part 1 It has been shown that under the condition that the necessary validation and characterization efforts were conducted, the numerical solution to the full unsteady compressible Navier-Stokes equations, together with ad hoc models for coupled mechanisms, could produce valuable results in close agreement with experimental measurements. Of course obtaining meaningful numerical solutions, in particular in such a challenging and delicate context remains a difficult task. The grid issue is undoubtedly one of the most crucial issue. In order to stay within acceptable limits in terms of computer CPU time and memory occupation, the grid must be tailored to each case. Our ability to produce adequate grids in then a direct function of our knowledge of what the important flow features are and where they are located. This clearly limits the use of the full numerical approach to documented situations and a priori predictions cannot be guaranteed in any situation. However, once the applicability has been established for a given type of configurations, the numerical approach can be used with large benefits to analyse and optimise the configuration. Another limitation is the choice of the proper models to describe non flow related mechanisms such as combustion, structural response, ... These models bear their own limitations that are of two types: the physics that is included in the models and the necessary inputs to the models. Both limitations can impair the successful application of the model into the numerical solution. Aluminum combustion is presently one area where progresses are expected for both types of limitations. This implies dedicated experiments and analyses to better describe the complex mechanisms that govern the formation of aluminum droplets, their combustion and finally the production of alumina droplets in complex flow fields. In particular the question of droplet interactions in a large population of various sizes and compositions, remains open. Finally, several years of experience with full numerical solutions, where most often several models are coupled in a non-linear fashion, have put to light many unexpected or surprising results. It is always surprising to realize that the resulting behavior is not the mere addition of individual effects or that a linearly damping mechanism can increase the limit cycle amplitude. This departure from the common linear thinking poses some problems when results are to be analyzed, understood and finally validated or accepted. This difficulty, far from being a mere curiosity, renders the progressive validation approach mandatory, in order to know how confident one can be when confronted to unexpected results. Often, the simplified approaches can be called in to help analyzing the results. Most often success lies in a proper combination of both approaches. It is then recommended that the rocket engineer who has to deal with instabilities exercise in both approaches.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors want to acknowledge supports from BPD, CNES and ONERA that permitted to carry out some of the research activities mentioned in this talk. They are also indebted to all their colleagues at ONERA, with particular attention to P. Kuentzmann, for his continuous encouragements, N. Lupoglazoff, for his essential contribution to the numerical simulations, G. Avalon, J. Dupays, M. Prevost, J.-C. Traineau, Y. Fabignon, C. Caugant (now retired) for many fruitful and unlimited discussions.
REFERENCES
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Motor Flow Instabilities Part 1 [3] Hart R.W. and McClure F.T., Theory of Acoustic Instability in Solid Propellant Rocket Combustion, 10th Symposium (international) on Combustion, pp. 1047-1065, 1965, The Combustion Institute, 1965, Pittsburgh PA. Culick F.E.C., Acoustic Oscillations in Solid Propellant Rocket Chambers, Astronautica Acta, Vol. 12, No. 2, 1966, pp. 113-125. Culick F.E.C., The Stability of One Dimensional Motions in a Rocket Motor, Combustion Science and Technology, 1973, Vol. 7, pp. 165-175. Culick F.E.C., The Stability of Three Dimensional Motions in a Combustion Chamber, Combustion Science and Technology, 1975, Vol. 10, pp. 109-124. Vuillot F., Acoustic Mode Determination in Solid Rocket Motor Stability Analysis, J. of Propulsion and Power, Vol. 3, No. 4, July-August 1987. Flandro G.A., Solid Propellant Acoustic Admittance Corrections, Journal of Sound and Vibration, Vol. 36, No. 3, 1974, pp. 297-312. Vuillot F. and Avalon G., Acoustic Boundary Layers in Solid Propellant Rocket Motors Using Navier-Stokes Equations, J. Propulsion and Power, Vol. 7, No. 2, March-April 1991, pp. 231-239.
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Motor Flow Instabilities Part 1 [20] Dotson K.W., Koshigoe S. and Pace K.K., Vortex Shedding in a Large Solid Rocket Motor Without Inhibitors at the Segment Interfaces, J. of Propulsion and Power, Vol. 13, No. 2, March-April 1997, pp. 197-206. [21] Flatau A. and Van Moorhem W., Prediction of Vortex Shedding Responses in Segmented Solid Rocket Motors, AIAA-90-2073, AIAA 26th Joint Propulsion Conference, July 1990, Orlando, USA. [22] Flandro G.A., Vortex Driving Mechanism in Oscillatory Rocket Flows, Journal of Propulsion and Power, Vol. 2, No. 3, pp. 206-214, May-June 1986. [23] Lupoglazoff N. and Vuillot F., Numerical Simulation of Vortex Shedding Phenomenon in 2D Test Case Solid Rocket Motors, AIAA 92-0776, AIAA 30th Aerospace Sciences Meeting, Reno, Nevada, USA, January 1992. [24] Vuillot F., Traineau J.C., Prevost M. and Lupoglazoff N., Experimental Validation of Stability Assessment Methods for Segmented Solid Propellant Motors, AIAA 93-1883, AIAA 29th Joint Propulsion Conference, June 1993, Monterey, CA. [25] Vuillot F., Prise en compte du dtachement tourbillonnaire dans les approches linarises par la mthode de Flandro, Colloque CNES-ONERA Fonctionnement des Moteurs Propergol Solide Segments pour Lanceurs Spatiaux, 8-9 decembre 1992, Chtillon, FRANCE. [26] Brown R.S., Blackner A.M., Willoughby P. and Dunlap R., Coupling Between Velocity Oscillations and Solid Propellant Combustion, AIAA Paper 86 0531 AIAA 24th Aerospace Sciences Meeting, January 1986, Reno, Nevada. [27] Mason D.R., Folkman S.L. and Behring M.A., Thrust Oscillations of the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster Motor During Static Tests, AIAA Paper 79 1138, AIAA 15th Joint Propulsion Conference, Las Vegas, June 18-20, 1979. [28] Mathes H.B., Assessment of Chamber Pressure Oscillations in the Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster Motors, AIAA paper 80 1091, AIAA 16th Joint Propulsion Conference, Hartford CT, June 1980. [29] Alden R.J., Improved Performance 3.05 m (120 in.) Boosters for the Air Force Titan 34D Space Launch Vehicle, The 1983 JANNAF Propulsion Meeting, Vol. 1, pp. 15-27; 83N 35012. [30] Blomshield F. and Mathes H.B., Pressure Oscillations in Post Challenger Space Shuttle Redesigned Solid Rocket Motors, J. of Propulsion and Power, Vol. 9, No. 2, March-April 1993, pp. 217-221. [31] Scippa S., Pascal Ph. and Zanier F., Ariane 5 MPS Chamber Pressure Oscillations Full Scale Firings Results Analysis and Further Studies, AIAA paper 94-3068, 30th AIAA Joint Propulsion conference, June 27-29, 1994, Indianapolis, IN, USA. [32] Prevost M., Vuillot F. and Traineau J.C., Vortex-Shedding Driven Oscillations in Subscale Motors for the Ariane 5 MPS Solid Rocket Motors, AIAA96-3247, 32nd AIAA Joint Propulsion Conference, Orlando, USA, July 1-3, 1996. [33] Prevost M., Dommee Y. and Maunoury J., Programme POP, synthse de la base de donnes exprimentales instationnaires (rvision 5), ONERA RT 4/05212 DMAE, juin 2001.
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Motor Flow Instabilities Part 1 [34] Vuillot F., Casalis G., Avalon G. and Lupoglazoff N., Mise en rsonance acoustique dune cavit par linstabilit naturelle dun coulement gnr par injection paritale, CR Acad. Sci. Paris, t. 327, Srie II b, p. 77-83, 1999. [35] Lupoglazoff N. and Vuillot F., Parietal Vortex Shedding as a Cause of Instability for Long Solid Propellant Motors. Numerical Simulations and Comparisons with Firing Tests, AIAA 96 0761, AIAA 34th Aerospace Sciences Meeting, Reno, Nevada, USA, January 1996. [36] Dunlap R., Blackner A.M., Waugh R.C., Brown R.S. and Willoughby P., Internal Flow Field Studies in a Simulated Cylindrical Port Rocket Chamber, J. of Propulsion and Power, Vol. 6, No. 6, November-December 1990, pp. 690-704. [37] Dupays J., Contribution ltude du rle de la phase condense dans la stabilit dun MPS pour lanceur spatial, Thesis dissertation, INPT, novembre 1996. [38] Dupays J., Prevost M., Tarrin P. and Vuillot F., Effects of Particulate Phase on Vortex Shedding Driven Oscillations in Solid Rocket Motors, AIAA 96-3248, AIAA 32nd Joint Propulsion Conference, July 1-3 1996, Orlando, USA. [39] Avalon G., Casalis G. and Griffond J., Flow Instabilities and Acoustic Resonance of Channels with Wall Injection, AIAA paper 98-3218, AIAA 34th JPC, Cleveland, July 13-15, 1998. [40] Casalis G., Avalon G. and Pineau J.-Ph., Spatial Instability of Planar Channel Flow with Fluid Injection through Porous Walls, Phys. Fluids, 10 (10), October 1998. [41] Ugurtas B., Avalon G., Lupoglazoff N. and Vuillot F., Numerical Computations of Hydrodynamic Instabilities Inside Channels with Wall Injection, AIAA 99-2505, 35th AIAA-/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, 20-24 June 1999, Los Angeles, CA, USA. [42] Ugurtas B., Avalon G., Lupoglazoff N., Vuillot F. and Casalis G., Stability and Acoustic Resonance of Internal Flows Generated by Side Injection, in AIAA Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics, Volume 185, Solid Propellant Chemistry, Combustion, and Motor Interior Ballistics, Vigor Yang, Thomas B. Brill, Wu-Zhen Ren Editors. [43] Ugurtas B., Etudes numrique et exprimentale des instabilits hydrodynamiques et du couplage aro-acoustique dans un coulement de Taylor, Thesis dissertation, Paris 6, dcembre 2000. [44] Griffond J., Instabilit paritale et accrochage aroacoustique dans les conduits parois dbitantes simulant les moteurs propergol solide dAriane 5, Thesis dissertation, ENSAE, septembre 2001. [45] Lupoglazoff N. and Vuillot F., Simulation numrique bidimensionnelle des coulements instationnaires dans les propulseurs propergol solide, La Recherche Arospatiale, No.1992-2, pp. 21-41. [46] Tissier P.Y., Godfroy F. and Jacquemin P., Simulation of Three Dimensional Flows Inside Solid Propellant Rocket Motors Using a Second Order Finite Volume Method Application to the Study of Unstable Phenomena, AIAA 92-3275, AIAA 28th Joint Propulsion Conference, July 1992, Nashville, USA. [47] Lupoglazoff N. and Vuillot F., Comparison between Firing Tests and Numerical Simulation of Vortex Shedding in a 2D Test Solid Motor AIAA 93-3066, AIAA 24th Fluid Dynamics Conf., Orlando, FL, July 6-9, 1993.
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Motor Flow Instabilities Part 1 [48] Godfroy F. and Tissier P.Y., CFD Analysis of Vortex Shedding Inside a Subscale Segmented Motor, AIAA 94-2781, AIAA 30th Joint Propulsion Conference, June 1994, Indianapolis, IN. [49] Morfouace V. and Tissier P.Y., Two-Phase Flow Analysis of Instabilities Driven by Vortex Shedding in Solid Rocket Motors, AIAA 95-2733, 31st Joint Propulsion Conference July 10-12, 1995, San Diego. [50] Vuillot F. and Lupoglazoff N., Combustion and Turbulent Flow Effects in 2D Unsteady NavierStokes Simulations of Oscillatory Rocket Motors, AIAA 96 0884, AIAA 34th Aerospace Sciences Meeting, Reno, Nevada, USA, January 1996. [51] Lupoglazoff N. and Vuillot F., Simulations of Solid Propellant Rocket Motors Instability Including Propellant Combustion Response, 6th International Congress on Sound and Vibration, 5-8 July 1999, Lingby, Denmark. [52] Chaouat B., Numerical Predictions of Channel Flows with Fluid Injection Using Reynolds Stress Model, J. of Propulsion and Power, Vol. 18, No. 2, March-April 2002, pp. 295-303. [53] Lupoglazoff N. and Vuillot F., Numerical Simulations of Parietal Vortex-Shedding Phenomenon in A Cold Flow Set-Up, AIAA 98-3220, 34th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, July 13-15 1998, Cleveland, USA. [54] Avalon G., Ugurtas B., Grisch F. and Bresson A., Numerical Computations and Visualization Tests of the Flow Inside a Cold Gas Simulation with Characterization of a Parietal Vortex Shedding, AIAA 2000-3387, 36th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit, Huntsville, AL, 16-19 July 2000. [55] Vuillot F., Basset T., Dupays J., Daniel E. and Lupoglazoff N., 2D Navier-Stokes Stability Computation for Solid Rocket Motors: Rotational, Combustion and Two-Phase Flow Effects, AIAA 97-3326, 33rd AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, July 6-9 1997, Seattle, USA. [56] Lupoglazoff N., Vuillot F., Dupays J. and Fabignon Y., Numerical Simulations of the Unsteady Flow Inside Fegmented Solid-Propellant Motors with Burning Aluminum Particles, AIAA Paper 2002-0784, AIAA 40th Aerospace Sciences Meeting, Reno, Nevada, USA, January 2002. [57] Mettenleiter M., Contrle adaptatif des instabilits aroacoustiques. Application aux systmes de propulsion, Thesis dissertation, Ecole Centrale Paris, 2000. [58] Mettenleiter M., Vuillot F. and Candel S., Numerical Simulation of Adaptive Control Application to Unstable Solid Rocket Motors, Symposium RTO, Applied Vehicle Technology Panel, on Active Control Technology, 8-11 May 2000, Braunschweig (Germany), accepted for publication in AIAA Journal, 2002.
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MOTOR FLOW INSTABILITIES - Part 2 Intrinsic linear stability of the ow induced by wall injection
G. Casalis, F. Vuillot
ONERA Toulouse - 2, av. Ed. Belin BP 4025 - 31 055 Toulouse Cedex - FRANCE ONERA - BP72 - 29 av. de la Div. Leclerc - F-92 322 Chtillon Cedex - FRANCE a casalis@onecert.fr, vuillotf@onera.f
RTO-AVT VKI Special Course on INTERNAL AERODYNAMICS IN SOLID ROCKET PROPULSION VKI Institut, 27-31 May, 2002
Motor Flow Instabilities Part 2: Intrinsic Linear Stability of the Flow Induced by Wall Injection
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Contents
Introduction 1 Geometry, presentation 1.1 Experimental facilities . . . . . . . . . . . 1.2 Notations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.2.1 Plane case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.2.2 Axisymmetric case . . . . . . . . . 1.2.3 Dimensionless quantities, Reynolds 1.3 General equations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.3.1 Used assumptions . . . . . . . . . 1.3.2 Plane geometry . . . . . . . . . . . 1.3.3 Cylindrical geometry . . . . . . . . 1.4 Basic ow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.4.1 Plane case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.4.2 Axisymmetric case . . . . . . . . . 1.4.3 Some remarks . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Linear Stability Theory 2.1 A short philosophical escape . 2.2 Small perturbation technique 2.3 Normal mode form . . . . . . 2.4 Dispersion relation . . . . . . 2.5 Linearised equations . . . . . 2.5.1 Plane case . . . . . . . 2.5.2 Axisymmetric case . . 5 7 7 9 9 10 10 10 10 11 12 12 12 13 14 17 17 18 19 20 21 21 22 25 25 26 26 28 29 32 33
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3 Stability results 3.1 Eigenmodes . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.2 Amplitude and n factor . . . . . . 3.2.1 Denition of the n factor . 3.2.2 Plane case . . . . . . . . . . 3.2.3 Axisymmetric case. . . . . . 3.3 Inuence of the Reynolds number . 3.4 Comparisons with the experiment .
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3.4.1 3.4.2 3.4.3
Preparation of the results for the comparison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eects of the dimensional height of the duct and injection velocity . . . . . Streamwise amplication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
33 34 34 41 41 41 42 43 45 47 49 55
4 In(tro)spection of the used assumptions 4.1 Non parallel eects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.1.1 Denitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.1.2 Use of a parallel approximation ? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.1.3 What is the matter with the normal non parallel approach ? 4.1.4 Is there any consistent and accurate non parallel approach ? . 4.2 Physical assumptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Conclusion ANNEX : Spectral collocation method
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Introduction
Thrust oscillations generally occur in large solid propellant motor during a few seconds of the ight, they exactly correspond to the frequencies of the cavity modes. The excitation of cavity modes has been reproduced in small scale solid propellant motors and also in cold gas facilities. However as extensively exposed by F. Vuillot in the present VKI lecture series, there are dierent possible causes of this excitation and all of them may play a role. Among them, as suggested by F. Vuillot, see [1], there is the intrinsic instability. Let us start with very simple models. Let be L() a linear dierential operator for which some values of correspond to eigenmodes. It means that for these values, it exists a non zero solution u ( 0) such as : L()( ) = 0. Now, is assumed to be such an eigenvalue and u / u u the associated eigenfunction. If the system is forced by a non zero right hand side term f , we have to solve : L()(v) = f . Thanks to the linear nature of the dierential operator, if f may be decomposed in dierent terms f = fi , the solution v is the exact superposition of the solution of each isolated forcing v = vi with L()(vi ) = fi . If fi does not correspond to the eigenmode u , the amplitude vi remains as small as the one of the forcing fi . On the other hand, if fi, is an eigenmode (proportional to u ), then the amplitude of vi, may become very large (it is the so-called secular terms in the framework of the multiple scale analysis, it is the so-called resonance phenomenon generally speaking). Consequently, after some transient, the contribution of vi, in the sum v = vi will be dominant, v vi, : the system has selected a single behaviour, the one corresponding to the resonant forcing. Coming back to the solid propellant motor, the previous operator L() may be associated to the governing problem for the cavity mode, the matter is to determine the origin of the forcing. An intrinsic instability mechanism has been suspected by Franois Vuillot to be responsible of c the forcing. If it is the case, the forcing would be itself an eigenmode, but for another dynamical system ! The present course is limited to the presentation of the linear stability theory. We will show the general philosophy which is behind a so-called instability, the application of it for the special ow which is representative of the one in a solid propellant motor. We will also show that the present theory is very strange from a theoretical point of view, but very ecient in comparison with the available experimental results. Finally we will conclude as a Public Prosecutor against the intrinsic instability modes which are suspected to be the forcing terms with respect to the emergence of the dangerous cavity modes.
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Chapter 1
Geometry, presentation
1.1 Experimental facilities
In real motors, the conditions are very severe (two-phase ow, high pressure, high temperature), so that detailed measurements inside the motor are nearly impossible. Cold gas experimental facilities have been thus especially designed for fundamental studies. They are much less expensive than the experiment which use solid propellant and detailed measurements are possible ; on the other hand some physical eects are missing such as the reactive two-phase ow or the slow regression of the wall (due to the combustion of the propellant). For cold gas experiment, the ow inside the motor which comes from the burning surface in real motors is simulated by a wall injection of cold gas (air for example). This is usually realized by using a porous wall constituted by small bronze particles which are then compacted. In the following, two types of geometry will be considered. The rst one is of rectangular type. We will take benet from only one facility of this kind :
Figure 1.1: VECLA facility
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the one called VECLA, extensively studied by G. Avalon in ONERA Palaiseau, see [2] even if other facilities such as the so-called Micat1 carried out in Poitiers, see [3], with which very interesting results have been obtained. A photo of VECLA is given in gure 1.1, whereas a sketch is given in gure 1.2. Its length and its breadth are xed, 603 mm and 60 mm respectively.
hot wire Pc Tp
Pp Adjustable nozzle
Pf feeding tube
Figure 1.2: Sketch of the VECLA facility
On the other hand, the height can be modied, 10 mm, 20 mm and 30 mm have been tested. Air is injected only through the lower wall. The upper wall is solid and is perforated by small holes in order to maintain a hot wire anemometer used for measurement of the instantaneous velocity. The two lateral walls are in plexiglas allowing thus ow visualisations. In the theory presented in the following, we will considerer a plane case for which both lower and upper walls are used for the air injection. Finally the system is closed on one side by a front wall and ends on the other side by either nothing or by a non injecting nozzle leading to a throat. In the operating conditions, the ow is sonic at the throat. Without nozzle, the injection velocity may be varied continuously during the experience. It can also be xed, typical values are around 1 m/s. The nozzle is adjustable, as indicated in gure 1.2, so that the injection velocity may be changed but not continuously during an experiment. In addition to some technical measurements necessary for the control of the ow, the measurements consist in the uctuating pressure at the front wall (denoted by P c in gure 1.2) and the velocity (mean value and uctuating one) inside the ow by using a hot wire. This one can be moved at several distances from the front wall and dierent distances from the porous wall can be analysed. By using the so-called periodogram process, the temporal velocity signal is nally converted into a spectral representation. Very interesting and recent results obtained with VECLA may be found [4]. The second geometry is closer than the one of real solid propellant motors, it is a cylinder. Results of dierent facilities will be used in the present document. The oldest one (whose results are used in the present document) is located in the United States and has been extensively tested by Brown and co-workers, see [5] for example. Another one is in Belgium and has been realized and studied by Jrome Anthoine, see [6], manager of the present lecture series ! Finally a more e recent one is currently investigated at ONERA-Palaiseau by G. Avalon. A photo of this last facility is provided in gure 1.3. In that case, there is a unique cylindrical porous wall, through which cold gas is injected. The diameter is 60 mm. This case is obviously closer to the real geometry, but only one diameter can be used for a given system. As for the rst geometry, there is a front wall and either a free exit section (as it is the case for the photo 1.3) or a
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Figure 1.3: Photo of the VALDO facility
throat. As with VECLA, for a free exit section, the injection velocity can be varied more or less arbitrarily. Front wall pressure is measured and a hot wire is also used, it may be observed in photo 1.3. But for this type of installation with a hot wire passing through the porous wall, very few distances from the front wall can be analysed. In order to obtain ner experimental results for the evolution of the velocity with respect to the distance from the front wall, the hot wire has been installed on a very ne and long blade passing directly through the exit section.
1.2
1.2.1
Notations
Plane case
As sketched in gure 1.4, the x coordinate is dened in the direction perpendicular to the front
p o r o u s w a l l
y
s t r e a m
l i n
h
z
i n
Figure 1.4: Plane notations
wall, x = 0 being located at this wall. The coordinate denoted by y denes the distance from the upper and lower walls, y = 0 is located in the symmetry plane. Finally, the coordinate z denes the broadness. The distance between the upper and lower walls is denoted by 2h, so that h is the physical distance between the two walls when considering the VECLA facility, for which the non porous wall is located at y = 0. The norm of the injection velocity through these walls is assumed
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to be constant and uniform, it is noted Vinj .
1.2.2
Axisymmetric case
As in the rst case, x represents the distance from the front wall. Otherwise, r denotes the radial coordinate and the azimuthal one. The geometry is sketched in gure 1.5. The diameter is noted by 2h and the norm of the injection velocity by Vinj , as for the plane case.
p o r o u s w a l l
H G
s t r e a m
l i n
i n
Figure 1.5: Axisymmetric notations
1.2.3
Dimensionless quantities, Reynolds number
In the following, all the quantities are dimensionless according to the reference velocity Vinj and the reference length h, it means that the lengths are scaled by the radius (and not by the diameter) of the cylinder in case of the axisymmetric geometry. The reference time is h/Vinj and the pressure is 2 scaled with Vinj , being the density (assumed to be constant). Thus, in the equations it appears a Reynolds number based on the injection velocity : R= hVinj
where represents the kinematic viscosity. In the operating conditions, this Reynolds number is of order 1000. In some papers, like [7], another Reynolds number is used which is based on the longitudinal velocity in the middle of the channel at the considered distance from the front wall, see also gure 4.3 in the following.
1.3
1.3.1
General equations
Used assumptions
As previously mentioned, ow injection is assumed to be steady and uniform (independent of the location) and strictly perpendicular to the porous wall. Concerning the theoretical results, the geometry is assumed to be constant. In fact, as demonstrated in [8], a slow regression of the porous wall (compatible with the real time scale of the motion of the propellant surface in real motors) does not modify signicantly the results presented in the following. Finally the total length of the channel is assumed to be suciently short so that the ow remains subsonic inside the channel (it will be shown below that the ow is uniformly accelerated
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in the x direction due to the injection). As the temperature eld is numerically observed to be more or less constant, we also assume that the ow is incompressible. Again this assumption has been validated, see [9].
1.3.2
Plane geometry
Assuming that the ow remains two-dimensional, all the quantities depend only on the time t and on the spatial coordinates (x, y). The two components of the instantaneous ow velocity are noted (, v ), the pressure p, so that the Navier-Stokes equations written for the incompressible ow in u the cartesian (x, y) coordinate system are : v u + = 0 x y u u u p 1 +u +v + = u t x y x R v v p v 1 +u +v + = v t x y y R
(1.1)
where denotes the laplacian operator. The boundary equations must rst express the no-slip condition together with the injection condition at the two horizontal porous walls. Concerning the front wall, the no-slip condition leads to a non self-coherent relation, especially at the two corners (0, 1) and (0, 1) in terms of (x, y) coordinates. Assuming an injection at these points is not compatible indeed with the viscous no-slip relationship. A possible solution could be to simulate a boundary layer in the injection process in the neighbourhood of these two points. A simpler solution however consists in assuming that the front wall acts as a symmetry plane (allowing a mirror ow for negative values of x). This last solution leads to impose that only the u component vanishes at x = 0. Finally the boundary conditions associated to the equations (1.1) are : y [1, +1] u(0, y) = 0 (1.2) x 0 u(x, 1) = 0, v (x, 1) = 1, u(x, 1) = 0, v (x, 1) = 1 For this type of ow, it may be useful to work with a stream function related to the velocity by : u= y v= x
In system (1.1), the continuity condition is automatically satised for , whereas the pressure can be eliminated between the two momentum equations. Dierentiating the rst momentum equation with respect to y and the second one with respect to x and subtracting then these two equations lead to : t u v +u y x x u v +v y x y 1 u v = y x R u v y x
In terms of stream function, this writes : 1 + = t y x x y R (1.3)
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The boundary conditions must then also be expressed in terms of : y [1, +1] (0, y) = 0 y x 0 (x, 1) = 0, (x, 1) = 1, (x, 1) = 0 y x y
(x, 1) = 1 x
(1.4)
1.3.3
Cylindrical geometry
In this case, p remains the notation for the pressure and the three components of the instanta neous velocity write now as (x , ur , u ), in the cylindrical (x, r, ) coordinate system illustrated in u gure 1.5. The Navier-Stokes equations become now : ux ur ur 1 u + + + =0 x r r r ux ux 1 ux p 1 ux + ux + ur + u + = t x r r x R 2 ux 2 ux 1 ux 1 2 ux + + + 2 x2 r2 r r r 2
u u u u t + ux x + ur r + r 1 2 u = + R x2
u2 p ur ur ur 1 ur + ux + ur + u + t x r r r r 1 2 ur 2 ur 1 ur ur 1 2 ur 2 u = + + 2 + 2 2 R x2 r2 r r r r 2 r u u ur 1 p + + r r 2 u 1 u u 1 2 u 2 ur + 2 + 2 + 2 r2 r r r r 2 r
(1.5)
Concerning the boundary conditions, the same previous remark about the injection at the abscissa x = 0, close to the front wall, can be expressed. The boundary conditions are thus : [0, 2[ r [0, 1] ux (0, r, ) = 0 (1.6) x 0, [0, 2[ ux (x, 1, ) = 0, ur (x, 1, ) = 1, u (x, 1, ) = 0
1.4
Basic ow
In this section, we will rst determine a particular steady solution of the Navier-Stokes equations and associated boundary conditions. The following step of the analysis will be to determine its stability, this will be done in the following chapters. The physical quantities associated to the steady solution, we are looking for, will be noted in capital and overlined letters.
1.4.1
Plane case
It is possible to nd a mathematical steady solution of the equations. A self-similar solution rstly proposed by Berman, see [10], may be sought for the stream function of the mean ow : = xF (y)
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that is U = xF (y) and V = F in terms of the velocity components. Equation (1.3) leads to F F FF associated to the boundary conditions : F (1) = 1 F (1) = 0 F (1) = 1 F (1) = 0 = 1 (IV ) F R (1.7)
(the boundary condition at the front wall is automatically satised with this self-similar form). For large Reynolds numbers, a very accurate approximation of the basic ow is obtained with the so-called Taylor solution, see [11] : y x cos U= 2 2 y V = sin 2 (1.8)
which is strictly valid for the equations written for an inviscid ow. The (inviscid) pressure is then given by : 2 x2 1 y 2 P = sin + P0 8 2 2 where P0 is a constant. The associated stream function is : y +k = x sin 2 with k a constant.
1.4.2
Axisymmetric case
In the cylindrical case, a steady axisymmetric solution may be also determined in the self-similar form given by : 1 Ux = r r 1 Ur = r x U = 0 with (x, r) = xf (r)
where is a cylindrical stream function of the ow. The function f satises the following dierential problem with the prime corresponding to the dierentiation with respect to r : 1 1 f R r r r f (0) = 0 r + f r f r f r
2
=0
f (0) = 0 r
f (1) = 0
f (1) = 0
The two rst boundary equations written above impose the leading order of the behaviour of the function f close to the axis r = 0 in case of a viscous ow. Assuming a regular Taylor expansion of the form f (r) = a0 + a1 r + a2 r2 /2 + . . ., it can be readily proved that f satises f (r) = O(r3 ) for r close to 0. Without viscosity, only the second boundary condition in r = 0 is necessary and the leading order becomes then f (r) = O(r2 ) for r close to 0. Again it is possible to nd an analytical solution, which exactly satises the inviscid equations : 1 r2 r2 Ux = x cos Ur = sin U = 0 (1.9) 2 r 2
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with the pressure given by : 2 x2 1 P = 2 2 r sin r2 2

2
+ P0
where P0 is a constant. This solution constitutes a good approximation of the viscous case for large Reynolds numbers (typically R 1000).
1.4.3
Some remarks
Before analysing the stability properties of the mean ow described above, it may be interesting to note some remarkable features. First the approximate analytical solution has been checked to be quasi superposed to the exact self similar solution for the two types of geometry at least for the Reynolds numbers range considered in the present document, see [8] and [12]. The mean ow depends on two spatial coordinates and accordingly there is a non zero vertical (or radial) velocity component, so that the ow is said to be non parallel. The plane Poiseuille ow, solution in an innitely long and broad non injected rectangular duct, is strictly parallel, there is only one spatial direction in which the velocity is not homogeneous (the distance to the wall) and consequently the streamlines are strictly parallel. Conversely, the Taylor ow is non parallel, the streamlines start at the porous lines, turn and become more or less parallel far from the front wall. This is illustrated in gure 1.6 for both types of geometry. In fact, even for
0.5
-0.5
-1
10
0.5
-0.5
-1
10
Figure 1.6: (Computed) streamlines of the Taylor ow (plane geometry in the upper gure, axisymmetric geometry in the lower one). large values of x, it remains obviously a small region close to the porous wall in which the ow
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is highly non parallel. This feature induces some diculties with respect to the mathematical form of the perturbation considered in the stability analysis. This point will be discussed in some details in the following, see section 4.1. This x dependence describes explicitly a linear increase of the longitudinal component of the velocity. Comparing the two types of geometry in gure 1.6, it appears clearly that at a given x position the curvature of the streamlines is much larger in the axisymmetric case than in the plane case. This will strongly aect the stability results.
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Chapter 2
Linear Stability Theory

2.1 A short philosophical escape
It must be emphasized that the mean ow described in the previous chapter is a possible solution of the equations. However nding such a possible solution does not prove that this solution will be the observed one in practice. This last point depends in fact on the stability of the proposed solution. A similar problem arise for example with a small ball placed on the top of a large sphere (where top refers to the direction of the gravity). The position on the top is a possible equilibrium location, however as it is unstable, it cannot be practically observed. Coming back to the Taylor ow, the same question is relevant : is the particular ow described by expression (1.8) or (1.9) observed in practice, that is for example in the channel VECLA ? In fact the answer depends on the injection conditions (injection velocity and porosity of the material). The injected ow probably contains some turbulent structures which may excite continuously the channel ow. It has been observed that for a given porosity if the injection velocity is too large, the Taylor ow, as it is described by expression (1.8) or (1.9) is never observed. In that conditions, the ow inside the channel is turbulent everywhere, so that it exists large turbulent uctuations, which interact between themselves leading by nonlinear mechanisms to a modication of the mean ow. The Taylor ow which is a possible solution of the averaged equations does not correspond then to the averaged observed (or measured) ow. This case will be no longer examined in the following part of the present document. For small injection velocities and for small values of the porosity, the Taylor ow can be observed, at least in the upstream part of the channel. In fact, the measured ow does not correspond exactly to the Taylor ow, it always exists some uctuations (for example those induced directly from the non-perfect injection system) superimposed to this theoretical solution. As all dynamical systems, the main ow which is continuously excited by the injection system exhibits two types of response with respect to this forcing. First there is the so-called forced response, whose amplitude is of the same order of the forcing amplitude. Secondly it may exist an eigenresponse the amplitude of which can be dangerously larger than the one of the forcing. The amplitude of the eigenresponse may be in fact extremely large, it means that a micro phenomenon (small inhomogeneity of the injection) can generate a macro feature. This particular behaviour is the signature of an intrinsic instability. Obviously determining the physical character-
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istics of the eigenresponse is very important (amplication rate, frequency, spatial shape), this is the goal of the stability studies. A well-known and classical presentation of the stability theory is published in [13], whereas a general presentation of the practical use of it in case of the boundary layer which exhibits some common feature with the present basic ow is nicely presented in [14] and nally the rst attempt of a theoretical application for the Taylor ow has been done in Russia by Varapaev and Yagodkin and has been translated in [7].
2.2
Small perturbation technique
According to the previous comments, a particular solution (the Taylor ow in the present case) is supposed to be known, its stability is going to be analysed. The instantaneous ow is then assumed to result from a pure superposition of this particular ow, which will be called the basic ow in the following, and of a uctuation to be determined. This is mathematically imposed by writing : q =Q+q (2.1) for any physical quantity q (components of the velocity, pressure and also for example temperature, mass ux density in case of compressible uids). The instantaneous ow is assumed to be realistic, thus it satises the general governing equations. The key point for the stability analysis is the following one. As we only focus on an eigenresponse (and not on a forced response), the boundary conditions written for the instantaneous ow must be strictly identical to those imposed for the determination of the basic ow. Before writing the complete equations, it may be instructive to describe formally the procedure. Let us represent the complete equations together with the boundary conditions by a (non linear) operator L, for example the one corresponding to the Navier-Stokes equations and associated boundary conditions. As explained above both basic ow and instantaneous ow are assumed to satisfy these equations and boundary conditions : L() = 0 q and L(Q) = 0 (2.2)
According to the superposition (2.1), the rst equation becomes : L(Q + q) = 0. Then, the operator L being regularly dependent on the physical quantities, a rst order Taylor expansion can be written : L(Q + q) = L(Q) + M(Q).q + N LT where N LT means nonlinear terms with respect to the uctuating quantities q and M(Q) is a linear operator function of the basic ow which applies to the uctuating quantities. It represents formally the gradient operator of L. In this course, the uctuation is assumed to be small in comparison to the basic ow : q Q, so that the nonlinear terms are small in comparison to the linear ones. Indeed in the linear stability theory these nonlinear terms are simply dropped, the previous Taylor expansion is thus simplied into : L(Q + q) L(Q) + M(Q).q
Finally, as both instantaneous ow and basic ow satisfy the equations as expressed by (2.2), previous equation becomes : M(Q).q = 0 (2.3)
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which represents the linearised Navier-Stokes equations (and boundary conditions). In the general case, the operator M(Q) is invertible so that the only solution is q 0, it means that there is no eigenresponse. However is some very specic cases, as for the present Taylor ow, possible non zero eigensolution may be found. This is mainly the case when the basic ow exhibits symmetry properties (usually invariance with respect to spatial and temporal coordinates) inducing then a special mathematical form for the uctuation. This is described in the next section.
2.3
Normal mode form
In this section, the basic ow is assumed to be dependent on only one spatial variable : y in the plane case and r in the axisymmetric case. This is the parallel assumption. Of course, as mentioned above, this is not strictly the case for the Taylor ow, see section 4.1. In fact, to be more precise, the parallel assumption consists in assuming that only the physical quantities Q, which are written in the linearised operator (2.3), are dependent on one spatial variable. For example for the plane Poiseuille ow, which is strictly parallel, the pressure depends on x too, but, at least in the incompressible approximation, this pressure term does not appear explicitly in the linearised equations (2.3). Just to x the ideas, we will note y the spatial variable in the non homogeneous direction : = Q(y). Then, equation (2.3) represents a system of partial dierential equations whose coef Q cients depend on the basic ow quantities Q, hence on y only. Thus with respect to each of the other variables, equation (2.3) appears as a system of linear equations with constant coecients. It is well known that solutions in that case may be sought in an exponential form. Following this mathematical result, all the uctuating quantities are sought with the so-called normal mode form : q(x, y, t) = q (y)ei(x t) plane case (2.4) q(x, r, , t) = q (r)ei(x + m t) axisymmetric case This notation needs to be explained. First, some quantities have complex values, for example i is the imaginary number satisfying i2 = 1, whereas the physical uctuation must be obviously real. In fact, the physical uctuating quantities correspond to the real part of the right hand side terms in (2.4). The functions q (y) and q (r) are complex and are called the amplitude functions, m is an integer and is the azimuthal wave number and and are generally complex numbers. Introducing real part and imaginary part of these two numbers by subscripts r and i, the uctuating quantities q write : q(x, y, t) = q (y)ei x + i t ei(r x r t) The second exponential term is of norm 1, it describes thus the wavy nature of the solution for the uctuation, r is the longitudinal wave number, r the circular frequency with f = /2 being the frequency itself. The rst exponential term is real, it describes a possible amplication of the uctuation with respect to the time and/or with the distance x according to the sign of i and i . Usually at this step, two types of theory are distinguished : the temporal theory for which i 0, the uctuations only grow with time and the growth is governed by the temporal growth rate i and the spatial theory for which on the other hand we have i 0, the uctuations only grow in x
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and the growth is governed by the spatial growth rate i . Between these two theories, it may be interesting to recall that in fact both theories usually provide very similar results by using the so-called Gaster transformation, see [15] : i i Vg with Vg =
where Vg is the group velocity (such an approximation is strictly valid in the vicinity of the neutral curve). As suggested by the experimental results for the Taylor ow, which will be given in section 3.4, the relevant approach in the present case is the spatial theory. The mathematical form of the perturbation used in the present document is thus : q(x, y, t) = q (y)ei x ei(r x r t) = q (y)ei(x t) (2.5)
with a real number and a complex one. Assuming that the perturbation is convected in the same direction as the basic ow, that is for increasing values of x, the spatial evolution of the uctuation and consequently the stability of the basic ow depends on the sign of i , the results are given in table 2.1. The same conclusions are true for the perturbation form in the axisymmetric sign of i i > 0 i < 0 i = 0 basic ow stable unstable neutral (or marginal)
Table 2.1: Stability criterion in term of spatial amplication growth rate
geometry. Finally, the perturbation given by relation (2.4) in the plane case corresponds to a plane perturbation. A more general form of the perturbation must include the z-dependence, the perturbation writing then : q(x, y, z, t) = q (y)ei(x + z t) It is known, see [13] for example, that for a strictly parallel basic ow, it is sucient to limit the stability analysis to two-dimensional modes, as written in (2.4). This result comes from the so-called Squires theorem. This one cannot be theoretically applied due to the nonparallel terms which are kept in the stability equations. However, systematic stability computations performed for a three-dimensional perturbation showed that the most amplied mode (which corresponds to the largest growth rate i ) is obtained for = 0, that is for a two-dimensional mode. This explains why the perturbation is assumed to be in the form (2.4) in the following.
2.4
Dispersion relation
The problem now is to determine the amplitude functions, the frequency and of course the complex wave number . The perturbation is required to satisfy the linearized equations (2.3). Consequently, the form (2.5) is introduced into these linearized equations, this yields : N (Q, , ). = 0 q
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where N is now an ordinary dierential operator with respect to y only. Dierentiations with respect to t and to x simply become multiplications by i and by i respectively. In order to nd a non zero solution q , it is necessary to nd values of (, ) such as N (Q, , ) is non invertible. The mean ow depends on x and on y but practically the stability analysis is performed for a xed value of x. On the other hand, as this operator corresponds to the linearized form of the NavierStokes equations (1.1), the Reynolds number R is a parameter. Finally, the formal linearized equations may be written as : N (x, R, , ). = 0 q (2.6) Now we have to nd conditions for which N (x, R, , ) is not invertible. Again, it can be rst noted that this operator is usually invertible, however it may be possible that for some specic conditions between the parameters (x, R, , ), the operator is not invertible. These (not known and not obvious) specic conditions are noted by a relation : F(x, R, , ) = 0 (2.7)
which is called a dispersion relation, because for x and R being xed, this equation binds the frequency and the phase velocity /. Of course, this equation is usually not explicit, numerical computations are necessary. They are often performed in two steps (eigenvalues and then eigenfunctions). First, the dierential continuous problem being discretised, a complex eigenvalue ( for example) is searched in such a way that a non zero solution for the perturbation may exist. In this step, equation (2.7) is solved in fact, even if the latter is not written explicitly. Then the optional second step consists in determining the non zero solution, with the obtained eigenvalue (which allows a non zero solution). Namely, this non zero solution is the eigenfunction associated to the obtained eigenvalue. Some insight about the numerical aspects are given in appendix.
2.5
2.5.1
Linearised equations
Plane case
As explained before, the small perturbation technique is used, by decomposing each quantity as written in relation (2.1). In this section, the perturbation is written with the normal mode form (2.4) even if it is not justied, according to the x dependence of the mean ow. This problem related to the non parallel eects will be considered in section 4.1. For the plane case, it is possible to use either the primitive variables (u, v, p) or the stream function. Let us start with the rst formulation. The procedure given in section 2.2 leads with (1.1) to : v i + = 0 u y 2 U + V u + v U + i = 1 u 2 u i + iU u + u u p (2.8) x y y R y 2 2 i + iU v + u V + V + v V + p = 1 v 2 v v v x y y y R y 2 This system is associated to the following boundary conditions, coming from (1.2) : u(1) = v (1) = u(1) = v (1) = 0
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It can be easily shown that system (2.8) may be written under the form of a rst order ordinary dierential linear problem applied to the vector (, u/y, v , p) of dimension 4, so that this system, u associated to the four boundary conditions above is a well-posed problem. It remains to solve it numerically, see the appendix for some numerical details. The stream function formulation has the advantage to dene only one scalar unknown (the stream function amplitude). The superposition (2.1) is introduced in equation (1.3). After linearisation, this leads to i + iU + V D
2 2 1 V D i U = 0 (D2 2 ) (D2 2 ) 2 R y y 2
(2.9)
where D represents the dierentiation with respect to y. This equation corresponds exactly to equation (2.3) in case of equation (1.3). Associated to this equation, the following boundary conditions (1) = D(1) = (1) = D(1) = 0 (2.10) coming from (1.4), must be satised. The stream function of the perturbation is thus required to satisfy again a fourth order homogeneous ordinary dierential equation (2.9) associated to four homogeneous boundary conditions. Obviously, the trivial 0 remains a possible solution. The goal is to nd if for specic conditions between and (dispersion relation), another solution may exist. It is also important to note that equation (2.9) contains three supplementary terms (due to the non zero V factor) in comparison with the classical Orr-Sommerfeld equation. The latter is obtained as explained before but for a strictly parallel mean ow, that is with a velocity of the form (U (y), 0). These additional terms are those associated with an odd order of derivation in (2.9).
2.5.2
Axisymmetric case
The same procedure can be applied in the axisymmetric geometry. Like the plane case, the basic ow does not depend on r only, so that the normal mode is theoretically not applicable. However using it leads to : i + ur + ur + im u = 0 ux r r r i u + iU u + Ux u + U ux + Ux u + i x x x r r p x x r r 2 2 1 ux m 1 ux = 2 ux + 2 ux + R r2 r r r Ur ur p (2.11) ur u ir + iUx ur + x ux + Ur r + r ur + r 1 2 ur ur 1 ur m2 2im = 2 ur + + 2 2 ur 2 u 2 R r r r r r r i + iU u + U u + Ur u + im p x r u r r r 2 1 u 1 u u m2 2im = 2 u + + 2 2 u + 2 ur 2 R r r r r r r
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This system of linear ordinary dierential equations is associated to the boundary conditions : ux (1) = ur (1) = u (1) = 0 expressing, as for the plane case, that there is no uctuating velocity (for determining the eigenresponse) at the porous wall. The numerical resolution of system (2.11) presents a (small) diculty at the axis r = 0, as usual when using the cylindrical coordinates system, see [16] for a possible treatment of this singularity.
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Chapter 3
Stability results
3.1 Eigenmodes
The rst task is to determine the solutions of the dispersion relation (2.7) if any. As the conclusions are very similar in the other cases, we will only consider the plane case formulated by the stream function, see (2.9). Then, in order to obtain the complete spectrum (i.e. the set of the eigenvalues) of the linearised equations, it is more convenient to x and to search all possible solutions in terms of for R and x xed. The reason comes from the fact that appears linearly in the Navier-Stokes equations, and non linearly because it exists terms in 2 /x2 which lead to the factor 2 . More precisely, equation (2.9) may be rewritten in : 2V 1 2U iU + V D (D2 2 ) (D2 2 ) D i 2 R y 2 y = i(D2 2 )
which is formally of the type A = B , that is of the type of a standard (generalised) eigenvalue problem. The dierential problem being discretised, many mathematical libraries allow the determination of the complete spectrum. As an example, the following parameters have been xed : R = 1000, x = 10 and = 4. Some eigenvalues are plotted in gure 3.1 in the complex -plane. The horizontal line i = 0 separates the instability zone from the stability zone. The higher the points are, the most dangerous they are (according to the temporal theory). In the instability region, only two amplied modes have been found : {31.59 + 1.6946i, 31.622 + 1.6296i}. They are thus very close together and seem in the gure to be only one. The other modes are damped modes, at least for the chosen values of the parameters. Moreover for smaller value of i it exists many other modes, including possible continuous branches. To analyse the two amplied modes and their dierences, it is generally fruitful to calculate the corresponding eigenfunctions. Moreover, in order to illustrate the strong correspondence between the temporal and the spatial theory, we now move to the spatial theory and x to a real number by = 31.6, in the range of the two previous modes. Then by using a shooting method (Newton convergence from an initial guess of the root), two amplied modes are obtained, as in the temporal theory. They are given by = 4.0037 i0.366 and = 4.016 i0.373. The group velocity may be calculated, the nearly same value is found for both modes Vg 4.4. Gasters
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amplified modes
0
damped modes
i
5
10 0
20
40
60
80
100
Figure 3.1: Spectrum, R = 1000, x = 10, = 4, 300 points in the collocation method
transformation provides then temporal amplication rates which are of order 1.66, they constitute thus good predictions of the temporal growth rates which have been computed directly in the temporal theory. The corresponding eigenfunctions are plotted in gure 3.2 for the rst one and in gure 3.3 for the second one. The main dierence between these two modes occurs close to the axis y = 0. For the rst mode, plotted in gure 3.2, the transverse velocity v is zero on the axis, whereas it is the longitudinal velocity u which vanishes at the axis for the second mode. The rst mode is called a varicose mode, and the second one a sinuous mode. Concerning the facility VECLA, it can be noted that with the solid wall (non porous) placed in the upper limit on the duct, only the varicose modes can be observed, the sinuous ones are not compatible with a non-penetration condition at this upper wall.
3.2
3.2.1
Amplitude and n factor

Denition of the n factor
In agreement with the experimental results, see section 3.4 for validations and explanations, the relevant theory is the spatial one, so that is a real number characterising the frequency of the wave. The dispersion relation is thus solved for xed values of (R, x, ) (and additionally with the azimuthal wave number m being xed for the axisymmetric geometry) and the complex value is computed in order to satisfy the dispersion relation (2.7). The opposite of the imaginary part i of the complex wave number is the growth rate in
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0.08
0.07
u v
0.06
0.05
u,v
0.04
0.03
0.02
0.01
0 1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
Figure 3.2: Norm of the longitudinal and transverse velocity component of the eigenmode = 4.0037 i0.366 obtained for R = 900, x = 10 and = 31.6
0.1
0.09
u v
0.08
0.07
0.06
u,v
0.05
0.04
0.03
0.02
0.01
0 1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
Figure 3.3: Norm of the longitudinal and transverse velocity component of the eigenmode = 4.016 i0.373 obtained for R = 900, x = 10 and = 31.6
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the x direction. As it has been developed for the boundary layer [17], it is thus possible to dene an amplitude A for the eigenmode by : i = 1 dA A dx
As suggested by (2.7), the growth rate depends on the parameters R, and x. Thus this equation may be integrated in order to calculate the amplitude :
x
A(x; , R) = A0 en
with n(x; , R) =
x0
i (; , R) d
(3.1)
With the same meaning as used in the boundary layer, see [18], the factor n gives the logarithm of the eigenmode amplitude. In equation (3.1), x0 is the neutral position. If it exists, it is the point for given values of (R, ) which separates upstream a stable region and downstream an unstable region. Generally, x0 depends in fact on (R, ), so that we may write x0 = x0 (R, ). In equation (3.1) A0 is an amplitude, which corresponds to the amplitude at the abscissa x0 . It can be noted that the eigenmode is solution of a homogeneous problem, so that its denition is not univocal. For example, with the equation (2.9), if satises the equation, , with any complex constant, also satises the equation. For that reason, the amplitude A0 cannot be determined within the linear stability theory. On the other hand, the n factor is intrinsic.
3.2.2
Plane case
To be comparable to the experimental results obtained with VECLA, we only focus on the amplied varicose mode in this paragraph. To give an example, the injection Reynolds number R is xed : R = 4000. Then, the growth rate i is computed for dierent frequencies, and for dierent values of x. Finally, for each considered frequency, the growth rate is integrated leading to the n factor. The result is given in gure 3.4 in a diagram (x, ). Some important feature may be deduced from this gure. First there is a critical abscissa, which is close to 5 for the considered Reynolds number1 . It means that upstream the abscissa x = 5, the Taylor ow is stable, possible eigenmodes are damped in this region. On the other hand, downstream the critical abscissa, i.e. for x 5, there is a range of frequencies for which the instability modes are amplied. Moreover, it can be noted that this range of dangerous frequencies increases with x. However, low frequencies (less than approximately 14) are never amplied, whereas large frequencies become amplied but for more and more large values of x. The upstream curve corresponds to n = 0, i.e. to the neutral (or marginal) curve : the location of x0 (R, ) with the notations of (3.1). Without any additional information, it is usually assumed that the amplitude A0 is a constant at the abscissa x0 (R, ). In fact this point is related to the receptivity process which describes the physical mechanism by which eigenmodes appear from the general ambiant turbulent noise or from any other types of excitations. If this ambiant noise does not contain any favoured frequencies, at least in the range of possible amplied frequencies, this uniform repartition of initial amplitude A0 seems natural as a rst approximation. In this case, the n factors give exactly the amplitude of the eigenmodes up to a scale factor. Thus, gure 3.4
fact the exact value of the critical abscissa must be carefully considered. This is due to the non parallel eects which strongly increase for small values of x, see section 4.1.
1 In
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70
60
50
40
n 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
R inj = 4000
30
20
10
10
15
20
x
Figure 3.4: Iso-n factors in a (x, ) diagram, R = 4000
also shows that the frequency which corresponds to the largest eigenmode at a given distance from the front wall is slightly (and quasi linearly) increasing with this distance. Finally this gure quanties the amplication, for example, at x = 20, the maximum of the n factor is close to 7, it means that the perturbation is e7 1000 times larger than the perturbation at x = 5.
3.2.3
Axisymmetric case.
For reasonable values of the injection Reynolds number, the frequency and the values of x, only one mode (for each value of the azimuthal wave number) has been found to become amplied from some abscissa. The other modes remain damped. We obviously focus on this possibly amplied mode. Similarly to gure 3.4, gure 3.5 gives for m = 0 (axisymmetric modes) and for the same Reynolds number as before R = 4000, the values of the computed n factor in a diagram (x, ). The general shape is similar to the one obtained in the plane case. However some important dierences exist, that must be noted. First the critical abscissa is located upstream in the axisymmetric case. Furthermore, the n factors seems to be larger in this geometry than in the plane one. For example at x = 15, the n factor is close to 11 in the axisymmetric geometry, it is only close to 3 in the plane geometry. Taken into account that the growth of the perturbation follows an exponential behaviour, this means that the axisymmetric Taylor ow is much more unstable than the plane Taylor ow. This dierence may be related to the dierence observed previously in gure 1.6 between the streamlines in the two cases. Indeed, one important question is to determine the origin of the present intrinsic instability. Even if it is not really demonstrated, it may be suggested that the instability comes from the strong curvature of the streamline close to the porous wall. This could be at least coherent with the following observations.
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150 140 130
Iso-n factors
R inj = 4000
n 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
120
110 100
Neutral curve
90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20
nmax curve
10
15
x
Figure 3.5: Iso-n factor, m = 0, R = 4000
1. The maximum of the uctuating velocity is close to the porous wall. 2. The Taylor ow is stable upstream (where the curvature of the streamlines may be not large enough) 3. If the non parallel terms in V are suppressed in the stability equations, such as in (2.8), the basic ow is found to be always stable, see [19]. 4. Finally, on one hand, the curvature is much more stronger in the axisymmetric case as in the plane one, as observed in gure 1.6 and, on the other hand, the growth rates are much more larger in the axisymmetric geometry. The last dierence between gures 3.4 and 3.5 concerns the frequency. It seems that the amplied frequencies are greater in the axisymmetric case than in the plane one. For example, the range of amplied frequencies for x = 8 is close to [30, 140] whereas it is only [15, 40] for the plane Taylor ow. The results given above correspond to the two-dimensional (noted 2D) mode, that is for the azimuthal wave number m = 0. An important point concerns the nature of the most amplied mode. A well-known result is the Squires theorem, which expresses that for a 2D strictly parallel basic ow, the rst instability occurs for a 2D perturbation. However, it does not mean that a two-dimensional perturbation is always more amplied than any three-dimensional perturbation, see [20] for more information. However for the Taylor ow this theorem cannot be applied even in the plane case, considering that the stability equations contain some nonparallel terms which
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makes unapplicable the mentioned theorem. Some direct computations in the plane case show however that the most amplied modes are approximately two-dimensional, these are the varicose and the sinuous modes. For the axisymmetric geometry, gure 3.6 shows the neutral curve and the
125 115 105 95 85 75 65 55 45 35 25
mode m = 0 mode m = 1 mode m = 2 mode m = 3
nmax
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
5.5
6.0
6.5
7.0
Figure 3.6: Marginal curves for m = 0, 1, 2, 3, R = 4000
location of the maximum of the n factor in the (x, ) diagram for the four rst positive azimuthal wave numbers. The rst observation is that the results for m = 0 and m = 1 are quasi identical. This conclusion exactly corresponds to the similarity between the varicose and the sinuous modes previously observed for the plane geometry. On the other hand, larger azimuthal wave numbers seem to be less and less amplied, except for the high frequencies, for which the dierences seem to be small. However the critical abscissa for m = 3 is close to the one of m = 0, for example it is clearly upstream the location of the n = 1 curve in gure 3.5. This means that if all the eigenmodes (characterised by (m, )) start with the same initial amplitude A0 at their neutral curve, the amplitude of the m = 0 mode at the critical abscissa of m = 3 is only a little larger than the amplitude of the m = 1, 2, 3 modes. Therefore, it is clear that at a given x position, x = 7 for example, the perturbation should be the superposition of several modes corresponding to dierent values of m, so that for any hot wire measurement it should be very dicult to isolate the contributions of the dierent modes. To conclude this overview of the typical stability results, it remains to analyse the real part of the complex wave number . It is then more suitable to work with the wavelength which is dened by : = 2/r . Figure 3.7 gives the iso- values, always in a (x, ) diagram for the axisymmetric geometry with R = 4000 and m = 0. It is interesting to note that at least for values of x less than 15, the wavelength of the mode which corresponds to the largest amplitude is close to 1. With a dimensional point of view, this means that the largest mode presents a wavelength roughly equal to the radius of the duct. In particular the streamwise evolution of the
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130 120 110 100 90
Iso-
0.5
Rinj = 4000
0.5
nmax
1
1.5
80 70 60 50 40 30
2
3
4
5
5 0.
1
1.5
2
3
10
15
Figure 3.7: Iso-wavelength for m = 0, R = 4000
eigenmodes occurs on a scale which is much shorter than the total length of the duct which scales the undesirable cavity modes. Due to this great dierence of streamwise extend, it may be guessed that the instability alone is not very ecient as a possible exciting source of the cavity modes.
3.3
Inuence of the Reynolds number
Concerning the dispersion relation, the inuence of the dierent parameters x, and the azimuthal wave number for the axisymmetric geometry have been studied. It remains the inuence of the injection Reynolds number. For example, the plane geometry is considered, with xed x and values : x = 10, = 31.6 (which have been chosen in the spectrum analysis of the linearised operator, see gure 3.1). The result is plotted in gure 3.8 for the streamwise wave number r represented in dashed line and for the growth rate i represented in full line. In this gure, the basic ow is always the one given by the analytical Taylor form (1.8) and only for the stability the Reynolds has been varied from 50 up to 105 . It is clear that there is an asymptotic behaviour when the Reynolds number increases. This means that the basic mechanism of this instability is mainly inviscid. Up to now, a clear physical explanation with the hands of the origin of the instability has not be found. As explained in the previous section, the instability appears to be related to the strong curvature of the streamlines of the mean ow close to the injecting wall, which is little aected by the viscosity. However the wave number seems to tend to the inviscid value faster than the growth rate. Thus, especially for the estimation of the n factor in practical case for which the Reynolds number
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0.46
0.44
i, r/10
0.42
0.4
0.38
0.36
0.34 0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
9000 10000
Figure 3.8: Inuence of the Reynolds number on the complex streamwise wave number , plane case, x = 10, = 31.6, varicose mode. The growth rate i is in full line, the tenth of the wave number r /10 in dashed line
is of order 1000, it is necessary to take into account the viscous eects, the dierence could be of about 10% for inviscid computations. On the other hand, it is important to emphasize that for the mean ow, it is really not necessary to use the viscous mean ow given by (1.7) for Reynolds numbers greater than 100, the Taylor solution is accurate enough. The same feature can be observed in the axisymmetric geometry, leading to the same conclusions.
3.4
3.4.1
Comparisons with the experiment

Preparation of the results for the comparison
Hot wire measurements give access to the instantaneous velocity at the position where the probe has been placed. Then, using dierent possible treatments of the signal, the latter is decomposed in two parts : the mean value and the uctuating one upon which a Fourier transform is applied in order to get the spectral dependence of the uctuating velocity or more often the power spectral density (DSP). This spectral representation may be compared to the theoretical predictions. For each given frequency, the n factor is computed by integrating in x the amplication growth rate, so that the amplitude of the uctuation is simply theoretically given by A0 exp(n(x, )), with A0 the initial amplitude coming from the receptivity conditions. In the following results, this constant A0 is assumed to be independent of , but to be a function of the experimental conditions (values of the injection velocity, of the height of the duct, of the porosity of the injecting walls, ...). Obviously, A0
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is independent of x. Consequently for given experimental conditions, the constant A0 is adjusted once, in order to t for one frequency and one value of x the measured amplitude. In case of comparisons including y variations, the same constant A0 must be considered of course.
3.4.2
Eects of the dimensional height of the duct and injection velocity
It is interesting to test rst the scaling eects by varying experimentally the injection velocity and the height. From the theoretical point of view, as the computation of the n factor in the (x, ) plane is performed with dimensionless quantities, changing the injection velocity and the height only modies the Reynolds number. Comparisons with measurements obtained with the VECLA facility are reported in gure 3.9. Four comparisons are given, they correspond to four values of the pair (injection velocity Vinj , height h). The measured values are plotted in full line, the theoretical predictions by the open circles. In the four cases, the frequency is plotted between 0 and 2000 Hz. However the scale of the vertical axis, giving the amplitude of the uctuation, diers from each other. The adjusted initial amplitude A0 is also given for each comparison in the legend, it seems that the constant A0 increases with the injection velocity and decreases with the height of the duct. The overall comparison is quite satisfying (good prediction of the amplied frequencies and quite good shape of the spectral dependence), even if there are some dierences which are mainly visible for h = 10 mm. It may be remarked however that for this height (the smallest one for the VECLA facility), the mean ow does not exactly coincide with the theoretical Taylor ow (or the viscous solution), it seems that small three-dimensional structures slightly modify the streamwise component of the mean velocity in comparison with the expected one. However the broadness of the amplied frequencies peak as well as the frequency associated to this peak are in good accordance with the linear stability results. A similar comparison has been done for the axisymmetric geometry with the available experimental results, see [5]. However in this case, the experiment have been carried out in 1990, that is before the knowledge of the intrinsic instability described in the present document. Among other comparisons, which can be found in [16], gure 3.10 shows the power spectral density of the uctuating axial velocity for three values of the injection velocity. The latter is represented by Mw , the wall injection Mach number. The left gures (experiment) are directly scanned from the publication, whereas the right ones give the theoretical results obtained for the four rst positive azimuthal wave numbers. Three dierent initial amplitudes A0 have been chosen for the three dierent injection velocities. As before, the range of the amplied frequencies seem to agree quite well with the experimental results, even if there are some discrepancies which are signicantly larger than the ones observed with VECLA in the plane geometry.
3.4.3
Streamwise amplication
The previous comparisons proved the good agreement between the experimental results and the theoretical ones in terms of range of amplied frequencies. The goal of this section is to analyse carefully the instability process itself, that is the streamwise amplication, which is theoretically of exponential type. The uctuating velocity at dierent values of x must be then compared in the same experimental condition (in order to keep the same initial amplitude A0 for the dierent
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Without nozzle, porosity = 18 m, y0 = 1 mm

Vinj=1.36m/s, h=10mm
*10-2
1.6 1.4 1.2 1.0
*10-3
9.75 9.0
Exp., x=120mm
e /400
DSP (u)
n
8.25 7.5 6.75
Exp., x=231mm
e /700
n
DSP (u)
6.0 5.25 4.5 3.75 3.0
0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 0.0
2.25 1.5 0.75 0.0
500
1000
1500
2000
500
1000
1500
2000
f (Hz)
f (Hz)
*10-2
1.95 1.8 1.65 1.5 1.35
*10-2
2.1
Exp., x=81mm
e /125
DSP (u)
n
1.8
Exp., x=231mm
en/400
1.5
DSP (u)
1.2 1.05 0.9 0.75 0.6 0.45 0.3 0.15
1.2
0.9
0.6
0.3
0.0
500
1000
1500
2000
500
1000
1500
2000
f (Hz)
f (Hz)
Figure 3.9: Comparisons between LST results and experimental ones with the VECLA facility
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Figure 3.10: Comparisons between LST results and experimental ones obtained by Brown and co-workers
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values of x). A rst comparison is given in gure 3.11. The height of the duct is 30 mm. The experimental results (lines) are given in six increasing abscissa, whereas the theoretical values (symbols) are reported for only the four largest values of x. The two rst values are indeed upstream the critical abscissa. The comparison gives an excellent agreement between the experiment and the theory demonstrating undoubtedly on one hand the real existence of intrinsic instability for this type of ow and on the other hand the reliability of the present linear stability theory. To emphasize this comparison, let us mention : the range of amplied frequencies (as shown above), the streamwise amplication (as previously said, the same constant A0 = 1/6000 has been used for the dierent abscissa). Furthermore, the increasing shift of the amplied frequencies with respect to x is also clearly visible in this gure. Finally, the spectrum measured at x = 570 mm, the most downstream
*10-2
6.0
VECLA, height = 30 mm, Vinj = 1.36 m/s

without nozzle, porosity = 8 m
5.5
y0 = 3 mm
exp., x = 120 mm
5.0
4.5
exp., x = 220 mm
exp., x = 350 mm
4.0
exp., x = 450 mm
3.5
exp., x = 500 mm
exp., x = 570 mm
3.0
th. x = 350 mm, en/6000

th. x = 450 mm, en/6000
th. x = 500 mm, en/6000
2.5
2.0
th. x = 570 mm, en/6000

1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1000
f (Hz)
Figure 3.11: Comparisons between LST results and experimental ones with the VECLA facility
position, exhibits an interesting (weakly) nonlinear phenomenon, that is the increase of 2 and 0 (steady) modes. These rst nonlinear mechanisms are quite well understood in the framework of
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the boundary layer stability, see [21]. The basic reason comes from the linear form u = 1 ( exp(i) + u exp(i)) u 2
of the physical uctuation (where z represents the complex conjugate of z). The quadratic terms in the Navier-Stokes equations are formally expressed by the product u u . The product is converted into a sum of the exponential terms, leading thus to the frequencies 2 and 0. And, as the linear step does not amplify only one mode, but a rather broad range, the quadratic interactions lead also to amplify a certain range around zero and another one corresponding to twice the linear range. Similar comparisons can be also tested with the axiymmetric duct. In the present document,
0.05
0.04
q=0
FFT [m/s]
X = 0.28 m X = 0.32 m X = 0.36 m th. x = 0.28 m th. x = 0.32 m th. x = 0.36 m
0.03
0.02
0.01
100
200
300
400
500
600
frquence [Hz]
Figure 3.12: Comparisons between LST results and experimental ones obtained with the facility of the VKI. The full lines correspond to the experimental results, each of them at one value of x. They are ordered regularly : the large the FFT amplitude, the larger the value of x.
two dierent comparisons are shown, the experimental results coming from two dierent facilities. The rst one is located in VKI and the results have been obtained by J. Anthoine, see [6]. As before, the axial uctuating velocity spectrum is compared between both approaches, the results are given in gure 3.12. The injection velocity is 0.88 m/s, the radius of the duct 38 mm. The spectra are given for three values of x, between 7.4 and 10 in terms of dimensionless distances from the front wall. In comparison with the result given for the plane geometry, it appears immediately that the measured velocity is much less smooth than in gure 3.11.
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Similar behaviour have been recently obtained by using the facility VALDO, see [22]. The results are reported in gure 3.13. The radius is 30 mm, the injection velocity 1.05 m/s, the chosen abscissa are thus close to 10.5 in dimensionless value. From both gures, it may be concluded that there is a range of amplied frequencies which correspond roughly to the theoretical predictions. It seems also that there is a streamwise amplication but some discrepancies are clearly present between the theoretical results and the experimental ones. It is not easy to explain the reason of this noisy signal obtained in the axisymmetric facil-
0.0002
VALDO - V inj = 1.05 m/s

exp. x = 311 mm exp. x = 316 mm exp. x = 321 mm exp. x = 326 mm th. x = 311 mm th. x = 316 mm th. x = 321 mm th. x = 326 mm
periodogram with 128pts measure at r = 7mm
velocity PSD (m /s )/Hz
250
500
750
1000
Frequency (Hz)
Figure 3.13: Comparisons between LST results and experimental ones obtained with the VALDO facility. Each curve corresponds to one of the four measurements, the same is true for the symbols giving the theoretical predictions
ity. This may be due to the existence of several modes (associated to dierent azimuthal wave numbers), but this may be also due to the measurement anemometer. In the plane case, the hot wire is parallel to the porous wall whereas in the other geometry, some corners eects may occur. As the probe is placed very close to the porous boundary, there are possible interactions between the mean ow and the corners of the probe which carry the hot wire itself. Anyway, it may be noted that the streamwise amplication is very large. For example, the result shown in gure 3.13 exhibits a huge amplication (factor about 20 in the experiment over a distance of only 1.5 cm).
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Arbitrary scale (theory)
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Chapter 4
In(tro)spection of the used assumptions

Dierent assumptions have been made, their inuences must be inspected in order to determine the generality of the results presented in the previous chapter.
4.1
4.1.1
Non parallel eects

Denitions
As explained before, the basic ow explicitly depends on the streamwise coordinate x so that the exponential form exp(ix) used for the perturbation is not theoretically justied. For a twodimensional basic ow, a dependence of the streamwise velocity coordinate with respect to x is related to a non zero transverse velocity V through the continuity equation. This is the reason why this x dependence is called a non parallel eect. In the following, the basic ow is assumed to be dependent on x (even weakly). For clarity, let us call the parallel approach the one when only the U is kept in the stability equations (leading to exactly the Orr-Sommerfeld equation) and the nonparallel approach the one for which all terms related to the basic ow are kept in the stability equations. Then, if the perturbation has the form of a normal mode for a parallel basic ow (or for a ow of which the non parallel terms are neglected), the corresponding approach will be noted by OSE (for OrrSommerfeld Equation). On the other hand, the (theoretically not justied) use of the normal mode for a non parallel basic ow will be noted by NNP (for Normal Non Parallel approach). All the results shown in the previous chapter have been obtained by using the NNP approach. Now there are some questions : is the Taylor ow weakly non parallel (so that OSE is a more or less accurate approximation) ? Is it possible to justify the use of NNP ? Is it possible to perform a consistent and accurate non parallel stability analysis ? The following part of the present chapter is aimed to provide some answers to that questions.
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4.1.2
Use of a parallel approximation ?
As explained above, the non parallel eects are connected with the magnitude of V with respect . Using the Taylor analytical form (1.8), the ratio V /U may be readily calculated : to U
y 2 sin 2 V 2 |y| = tan y = x cos 2 x 2 U
This suggests that this ratio varies from 0 (at the symmetry axis) to at the porous walls. However if the dependence on y is suppressed by a norm such as the maximum with respect to y, the ratio is simplied into V /U = 2/x, which indicates that, according to this choice of norm, the non parallel eects decrease with respect to x (the ratio is smaller than 0.05 for x 15 for example). From these simple two remarks, it can be concluded that the Taylor ow may appear more and more parallel for large values of x but, reciprocally, at any values of x it exists a small region close to the injecting walls where the basic ow is strongly non parallel. In order to illustrate the non parallel eects, a rst possibility consists in solving the OSE with the streamwise velocity component U being the one given by Taylor, even if the mean ow given by the velocity (x/2 cos(y/2), 0) obviously does not satisfy the steady equations. Figure 4.1 gives for the axisymmetric Taylor ow, with R = 4500, q = 0 and = 80, the evolution with respect
16 14 12 10
r
0.9
OSE ( NNP PSE
/10,
/100)
0.6 0.3 0.0
i
8 6 4 2
-0.3 -0.6 -0.9 -1.2
12
15
12
15
Figure 4.1: Comparison of OSE, NNP and PSE results for the axisymmetric Taylor ow, R = 4500, q = 0 and = 80. The wavenumber r is plotted in the left hand side, the growth rate i in the right hand side
to x of the complex number solved by the OSE, the NNP and the PSE approaches (see below for some explanations on the PSE method). It appears that on one hand NNP and PSE results are very similar, whereas OSE strongly diers from the two others, for example the growth rate remains always positive. Similar behaviour has been found in plane geometry, see [19]. This strong non parallel eect is also conrmed by the whole spectrum obtained with the OSE linearised operator with the same values of the parameters are for gure 3.1. The results
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are given in gure 4.2. Once more, the real part is completely dierent and no amplied mode
5
amplified modes
0
damped modes
i
5
10 0
20
40
60
80
100
Figure 4.2: Spectrum of the articially parallel Taylor ow, R = 1000, x = 10, = 4
has been found. Let us recall that the experiment clearly shows amplied modes which are in relative good agreement with the NNP results. The parallel OSE approach does not seem to be an approximation of the stability results for the present basic ow.
4.1.3
What is the matter with the normal non parallel approach ?
As rstly remarked by comparing results between those of Varapaev and Yagodkin [7], those of Lee and Beddini [23] and ours [19], there is a problem somewhere. Finally the explanation has been found by Griond [24], the NNP approach is not consistent, because the stability problem depends on the formulation which is used. In the present course, two formulations have been used in the plane case : with the primitive variables (u, v, p) see system (2.8) and with the stream function , see equation (2.9). The matter is to determine if both formulations are strictly equivalent. Before introducing the normal mode, both formulations (1.1) and (1.3) are obviously equivalent as well as the linearised equations deduced from each of them. But, as the normal mode is not and cannot be justied, the question of the equivalence between system (2.8) and equation (2.9) remains posed. The answer given in [24] is the following one. From system (2.8), the amplitude function of the pressure p may be eliminated by multiplying the third equation of that system by i, dierenti ating the second one (with respect to y) and nally by subtracting both obtained equations. Then in this new equation, the amplitude functions u and v may be replaced by respectively i and where is an amplitude function for the stream function and D the dierentiation operator D
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with respect to y. If we proceed in this way, the following equation is obtained

2 2 1 V D i U + U 2 = 0 i + iU + V D (D2 2 ) (D2 2 ) R y 2 y 2 x
(4.1)
which is NOT equation (2.9) as it ought to be in a consistent theory, the last term of (4.1) is not present in (2.9). Let us just recall that for a strictly parallel basic ow, both formulations are strictly equivalent, they lead both to the Orr-Sommerfeld equation. The NNP approach is consequently not consistent, its results may depend on the formulation. To illustrate that point, comparisons between the two formulations have been performed, they are illustrated in gure 4.3. In addition, the published results of [7] and [23] have been indicated in
4.0 3.5 3.0 2.5

r
2.0 1.5 1.0 0.5 0.0
10
12
14
16
18
20
Re
1/3 c
Figure 4.3: Comparisons between diverse published results and our results illustrating the inconsistency of the normal non parallel approach. Using the stream function formulation, results for the neutral curve for the sinuous modes in [7, 23] (circles) and for the varicose modes in [23] coincide with ours (full lines). They are signicantly dierent from ours obtained with the primitive variable formulation for the varicose mode (dashed line) and for the sinuous mode (dotted line). Self-similar solution is used for the plane basic ow with R = 100.
symbols. The neutral curve has been calculated for R = 100 for both sinuous and varicose modes 1/3 and with the two formulations. It is represented in the (Rc , r ) diagram, where Rc represents the Reynolds number based on the axial velocity (which is linearly dependent on x). All the published results seem to be accurately calculated, the dierences between the full lines and the dashed or the dotted ones are intrinsic, they are due to the choice of the normal mode which is inconsistent with the present basic ow.
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4.1.4
Is there any consistent and accurate non parallel approach ?
From a practical point of view, the inconsistent approach seems however to work with enough accuracy. For large Reynolds number as well as for large values of x, the dierences between the two approaches discussed in the previous paragraph are quasi negligible. Furthermore, as shown in the previous chapter, the agreement with the experimental results is very good. Even for the axisymmetric geometry, for which the growth rates are larger and the involving x values smaller, it may be guessed that for practical prediction the NNP approach provides a satisfactory estimation of the instability. On the other hand, the present solution is clearly wrong for the small values of x. In particular the location of the neutral curve must be considered with care. Thus an alternative approach for the mathematical form of the perturbation, which would be more consistent and more accurate with respect to the non parallel characteristics of the basic ow, would be useful. Some approaches already exist which are rst consistent and whose goal secondly is to deal with the non parallel eects. The clearest one is based on the multiple scale analysis, see [25] or [26] for a general presentation and see [27] for an example of use in a non parallel stability analysis (in the framework of the boundary layer stability). A more recent approach, called PSE (for Parabolized Stability Equations), developed by Herbert and Bertolotti [28], also deals with the non parallel eects. This approach has been used for the present mean ow, the results are shown in gure 4.1. They prove that after a numerical transient in x, the PSE results rapidly agree with the NNP ones. Concerning the consistency, the multiple scale analysis is fully consistent, the PSE approach is quasi consistent, see [29] for more details. The (theoretical) problem with these approaches is that both consider the Orr-Sommerfeld equation as a rst order solution, whereas it is not the case for the Taylor basic ow. Another mathematical form for the perturbation has been proposed by J. Griond, see [24]. The starting equation is the linearised form of the Navier-Stokes equations expressed with the stream function (1.3). Using the perturbation technique = + , the linearised problem is : 1 = + + t y x x y x y y x R with the following boundary conditions : y [1, +1] (0, y) = 0 y x 0 (x, 1) = 0, (x, 1) = 0, y x (4.2)
(x, 1) = 0 y
(x, 1) = 0 x
(4.3)
As shown before, a possible choice for one stream function associated to the Taylor basic ow is = x sin(y/2). Equation (4.2) represents then a linear equation with coecients which are dependent on x and y and independent of t. Thus a general form for the unknown function (x, y, t) may be chosen with an exponential dependence with respect to t (normal mode in t) : (x, y, t) = eit (x, y) Equation (4.2) becomes then : i + x y 2 y y 3 x y 1 cos sin sin + cos = 2 2 x 4 2 y 2 y 8 2 x R
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whereas the associated boundary equations remain the same as (4.3), with instead of . A possible solution could be to solve directly the stability problem given by the previous homogeneous partial dierential equation. Such problems are currently investigated by some researchers (in case of the stability of a recirculating zone, a vortex, the boundary layer in the vicinity of the attachment line etc.) but there is a strong diculty with the treatment of the boundary conditions. The proposed solution is to search in the form : = x (y) leading hence to ordinary dierential equations (like with the normal mode) and avoiding therefore the diculty with the boundary conditions. The idea with this mathematical form is to dene a phase velocity, which is then uniformly accelerated with x, as is the basic Taylor ow, whereas with the normal mode, the phase velocity does not depend on x. With this form, equation (4.2) writes : 2 1 y y 0 = D4 iD2 + cos sin .D D2 + R 2 2 2 4 2 y y 1 (4.4) ( 2) sin .D ( 1) + 2 D2 i + cos x R 2 2 2 1 1 4 ( 1)( 2)( 3) x R with D the dierentiation operator with respect to y. As it is the case with the normal mode, this form does not satisfy exactly the equations, so that is not really independent of x. By using the so-called quasi-parallel approach, the value of is recalculated at each considered value of x. The advantage of this form is clearly to dene a zero-order approximation which is asymptotically valid for large values of x : 1 4 y y D iD2 + cos sin .D R 2 2 2 D2 + 2 =0 4 (4.5)
On the other hand, let us return to the OSE and NNP approaches (obtained with the term exp(ix)) for which, as proposed by J. Griond, we dene : = ix Then, the OSE approach gives : 1 4 cos y D iD2 + R 2 2 D2 +
3 4 2 1 2 cos y 1 = 0 + 2 D2 + 4 R 4 x R 2 2 x
whereas the NNP approach leads to : 0= 1 4 y y D iD2 + cos sin .D R 2 2 2 22 2 1 D + x2 R D2 + 2 4
y y 1 4 cos sin .D 2 4 2 2 2 x R
These equations show that for large values of x, the leading order (4.5) of (4.4) coincides exactly with the leading order of the NNP approach and NOT with the OSE approach. The inconsistent approach remains inconsistent obviously but is now justied (its leading order terms) for large values of x. Finally some comparisons between direct simulations (by using the code SIERRA developed by F. Vuillot, see [30]) and stability computations show a better agreement with (4.4) than with the NNP, see [24].
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4.2
Physical assumptions
In addition to the assumption of a normal mode, there are several other aspects which have been neglected in the presentation given before. However, the eects of : compressibility, real geometry, presence of an acoustic mode, regression of the boundary wall have been found to be nearly completely negligible. The intrinsic instability described before seems to be very robust. The last point related to the linear stability theory, which appears to be important in the computations, see [31], concerns the eects of the presence of particles, especially of reactive particles. A rst attempt in that direction has been achieved by taking into account non reactive particles. A rst interesting result of [32] is that the particles may destabilise the ow, as it is illustrated in gure 4.4. This eect may be attributed to the appearing augmentation of the
-0.39
-0.4
R = 10 R = 10 4 R = 3.10 3 Inviscid
-0.41
-0.42
i
-0.43
-0.44
-0.45
20
40
p0
60
80
100
Figure 4.4: Evolution of the growth rate i as function of the density of the injected particles at the wall. The injection velocity of the particles is the same as the one of the uid, the Stokes number is 103 , and x = 10, = 30.
Reynolds number due to the augmentation of the density thanks to the particles.
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In addition to this two-phase ow eect, there is of course the linear assumption. But nonlinear mechanisms induced by instability are neither very easy nor very common. This could be another lecture ! See the thesis of J. Griond [9] for detailed nonlinear analysis.
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Conclusion
Undoubtedly, an intrinsic instability exists in the ow induced by wall injection. A linear stability theory can be carried out, even if it presents some diculties (mainly from the theoretical point of view) in relation with the non parallel characteristics of the considered mean ow. At least in the plane geometry, the experimental results conrm the predictions based on the linear stability theory. However in practice, the intrinsic perturbation cannot grow innitely in x, as it could be according to the linear stability results. From ow visualisations performed in VECLA, we know that large structures are emitted somewhere, they are associated to uctuations of large amplitude and are thus not compatible with a small perturbation approach leading to the linear theory. The perturbations grow in x, according to the linear instability mechanism and then become fully non linear. Moreover, for some congurations the experimental results of VECLA do not seem to exhibit any instability feature. Among these results, there is the resonance on an acoustic mode of large amplitude which is of course the most important conguration in practice. Where does this resonance phenomenon come from ? Does the stability play any role ? In order to try to give some answers to these questions, let us summarise the main ideas (coming from the experimental results, direct simulations and nonlinear stability theories) obtained at the end of the PhD of J. Griond. The key point is the dimensional value of the abscissa of the motor exit section x . It seems that the abscissa related to the instability mechanisms (location s of the iso-n factor curves, location of the large structure emission) are mainly constant in term of dimensionless values, with the reference scale for the distance being the radius of the uid h. But for a real motor, only x remains constant, the value of h grows continuously thanks to the s regression of the injecting wall due to the combustion. The proposed scenario is then the following one : At the beginning, h is small. In that case, the ow becomes turbulent somewhere in the duct, the large structures which are emitted upstream in the laminar zone are dissipated by the turbulence, so that there is no coherent (i.e. quasi periodic in time) structure which passes through the exit section. Nothing happens with respect to the cavity modes. Later, h becomes larger, the transition to turbulence moves downstream and at a given time, the turbulence zone is not sucient to dissipate enough the large emitted structures. The frequency associated to this emission corresponds more or less to the one of the largest amplitude of the eigenmode at the abscissa from which nonlinear phenomena start to operate. At each time that a structure passes the throat (exit section), there is an emission of a reecting pressure wave (it has been measured in the cold gas facilities). This wave arrives at the front wall and there is another reecting wave, but now in the downstream direction. This wave may reasonably
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excite the intrinsic instability mode (by the so-called receptivity mechanism) and mainly the one corresponding to its frequency. This mode is then fully favoured : it is an intrinsically amplied mode and it starts with a larger and larger amplitude due to the reecting waves. Rapidly only one mode comes up. Then, at least in the VECLA and VALDO facilities, there are two cases : either the dominant frequency corresponds to the one of a cavity mode or not. The frequency obtained by the instability and the reecting waves strongly depends on the injection velocity whereas the cavity frequencies are obviously mainly independent of this injection velocity. In the second case, the reecting waves remain linear and the physics remains governed by the instability mechanism. In the rst case, the amplitudes are very large and it may be guessed that the instability plays a role only in the transient which leads to the excitation of the cavity mode. Finally when h is large, the emission of the large structure does not occur any more in the booster, it moved downstream, only small uctuations (the intrinsic instability modes themselves) remain and do not provide enough energy for creating reected pressure waves. This scenario needs of course additional conrmations but it is fully consistent with the experiment, the numerical simulations and the investigated nonlinear stability approaches.
Acknowledgement
This work has been included in a large research program named ASSM (Aerodynamics of Solid Segmented Motors) which was supported by CNES (Centre National dEtudes Spatial) and was coordinated by ONERA (Oce National dEtudes et de Recherches Arospatiales). The rst e author of the present course would also like to really thank P. Kuentzmann, F. Vuillot, G. Avalon for the very valuable discussions and advices.
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Bibliography
[1] Lupoglazo N. and Vuillot F. Parietal vortex shedding as a cause of instability for long solid propellant motors. numerical simulations and comparisons with ring tests. aiaa 96-0761. In 34th Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit. AIAA, 15-18 janvier Reno, Nevada 1996. [2] G. Avalon. Caractrisation des phnom`nes lis ` linstabilit naturelle de lcoulement dans e e e e a e e le montage VECLA - Etude des conditions permettant de raliser laccrochage acoustique. e Rapport nal CNES 90/6133EY, ONERA, juillet 1997. [3] Couton D., Plourde F., and Doan-Kim S. Cold gas simulation of a solid propellant rocket motor. AIAA Journal, 34:14621464, 1996. [4] Avalon G., Ugurtas B., Grisch F., and Bresson A. Numerical computations and visualizations tests of the ow in a cold gas simulation with characterization of a parietal vortex-shedding. In 36th Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit, AIAA/ASME/ASEE, AIAA 2000-3387, Huntsville, Alabama, 16-19 July 2000. [5] Dunlap R., Blackner A., Waugh R., Brown R., and Willoughby P. Internal ow eld studies in a simulated cylindrical port rocket chamber. J. Propulsion, 6, 1990. [6] J. Anthoine. Experimental and numerical study of aeroacoustic phenomena in large solid propellant motors. PhD thesis, Universit libre, Bruxelles, October 2000. e [7] V.N. Varapaev and V.I. Yagodkin. Flow stability in a channel with porous wall. Izv. AN SSSR. Mekhanika Zhidkosi i Gaza., vol. 4, No 5, 1969. [8] J. Griond. Stabilit linaire dans un conduit ` parois dbitantes. Eet de la rgression de la e e a e e paroi. Technical report, Rapport de DEA, ENSTA et Univ. P. et M. Curie, septembre 1998. [9] J. Griond. Instabilit linaire et non linaire en conduit ` parois dbitantes. PhD thesis, e e e a e ENSAE, Toulouse, 21-Sept. 2001. [10] Berman A. Laminar ow in channels with porous walls. J. of applied Physics, 24(9), september 1953. [11] G. I. Taylor. Fluid ow in regions bounded by porous surfaces. Proc. of the Royal Soc. Series A, London, 234(1199):456475, 1956. [12] J. Ph. Pineau. Stabilit linaire dun coulement dans un conduit cylindrique ` paroi dbitante. e e e a e Rapport de DEA, CERT-ONERA, septembre 1997.
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[13] P.G. Drazin and W. Reid. Hydrodynamic stability. Cambridge University, 1985. [14] L. M. Mack. Boundary layer linear stability theory. Special course on stability and transition of laminar ow, 709, 1984. [15] M. Gaster. A note on the relation between temporally increasing and spatially increasing disturbances in hydrodynamic stability. J. of Fluid Mech., 14:222224, 1962. [16] J. Griond, G. Casalis, and J. Ph. Pineau. Spatial instability of ow in a semiinnite cylinder with uid injection through its porous walls. European Journal of Mechanics, B/Fluids, 19, issue 1, Janvier 2000. [17] M. Gaster. On the eect of boundary layer growth on ow instability. J. of Fluid Mech., 66, 1974. [18] D. Arnal, M. Habiballah, and E. Coustols. Thorie de linstabilit laminaire et crit`res de e e e transition en coulement bi et tridimensionel. La Recherche Arospatiale, 2, Mars - Avril 1984. e e [19] G. Casalis, G. Avalon, and J. Ph. Pineau. Spatial instability of planar channel ow with uid injection through porous walls. Physics of Fluid, 10(10), October 1998. [20] G. Casalis and F. Charru. Instabilits hydrodynamiques. Cours du D.E.A. de mcanique des e e uides de Toulouse, 1995. [21] S. Hein, A. Hani, and G. Casalis. Nonlinear transition prediction. In European Congress on Computational Methods in Applied Sciences and Engineering, ECCOMAS, Barcelona, 11-14 september 2000. [22] Th. Feraille. Phd, in preparation. [23] Lee Y. and Beddini R. Acoustically-induced turbulent transition in solid propellant rocket chamber owelds. In 35th AIAA/ASME/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit, AIAA-99-2508, Los Angeles, California, 20-24 June 1999. [24] J. Griond and G. Casalis. On the dependence on the formulation of some nonparallel stability approaches applied to the taylor ow. Physics of Fluids, 12(2), February 2000. [25] C.M. Bender and S.A. Orszag. Advanced mathematical methods for scientists and engineers. McGraw-Hill, 1981. [26] G. Casalis. Mthodes mathmatiques pour la mcanique. Cours SUPAERO, 2000. e e e [27] Bridges T.J. and Morris P.J. Boundary layer stability calculations. Physics of Fluids, 30, november 1987. [28] Th. Herbert and F. P. Bertolotti. Stability analysis of non-parallel boundary layers. Bull. Am. Phys. Soc., 32, 1987. [29] Ch. Airiau and G. Casalis. Stabilit linaire de la couche limite par un syst`me dquations e e e e parabolique. La Recherche Arospatiale, 5, Septembre-Octobre 1993. e
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[30] Vuillot F. Numerical computations of acoustic boundary layers in large solid propellant space booster. In 29th Aerospace Sciences Meeting. AIAA 91-0206, Reno, Nevada, January 1991. [31] Lupoglazo N., Vuillot F., Dupays J., and Fabignon Y. Numerical simulations of the unsteady ow inside Ariane 5 P230 SRM booster with burning aluminium particles. In 2nd European Conference on Launcher Technology, Space Solid Propulsion, Roma, 21-24 november 2000. [32] Fraille T. and Casalis G. Particles eects on solid propellant motors ow stability. In e 38th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference & Exhibit, Indianapoli, Indiana, United States, 7-10, July 2002. [33] Canuto C., Hussaini M., Quarteroni A., and Zang T. Spectral methods in uid dynamics. Springer, 1988. [34] M.R. Khorrami M.R. Malik R.L. Ash. Application of spectral collocation techniques to the th stability of swirling ows. J. Comput. Physics, vol. 81:pp. 206229, 1989.
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ANNEX : Spectral collocation method for eigenvalue problem

Description of the method
Several methods may be used for solving an eigenvalue problem or more generally any dierential equations system. In the case of the plane Taylor ow, expressed in terms of stream function, equation (2.9), the simplest method is probably the spectral collocation method. In this annex, only a short view of it is given, more details together with other methods can be found in [33], an application of the spectral collocation technique in a particular stability problem is described in [34]. The goal is hence to solve the dierential problem constituted by equation (2.9) and boundary conditions (2.10). The variable y varies in [1, +1]. Some denitions are necessary, let be rst Tn the nth Chebychevs polynomial of degree n. Then, an integer N is assumed to be chosen, it characterises the chosen renement for solving the dierential problem, as it will be explained just below. Let be : j j = cos j = 0, . . . , N N N + 1 points, which are called the ones of Gauss-Lobatto. The unknown amplitude function, which will be noted in this annex, is approximated by the polynomial :
N
() =
j=0
j ()(j )
where stands for j () =

2 1 j j
(1)j+1
TN () N 2 cj
with TN the derivative of the N th Chebychevs polynomial. The N + 1 discrete values j = (j ) are explicitly the unknown of the (discretised) problem. This is the reason why N describes the used accuracy for computing the unknown. As is a solution of dierential problem, we have now to link between the derivative and the function itself. For this purpose, let be : cj (1)k+j j=k ck j k j Ejj = j = 1, . . . , N 1 2 2(1 j ) 2N 2 + 1 E00 = EN N = 6 dening a square matrix E with the coecients cj given by : Ejk = c0 = cN = 2 cj = 1 j = 1, . . . , N 1
Then, it can be proved that the derivative exactly corresponds for the discrete values to the matrix multiplication by E : N d (j ) = Ejk k d
k=0
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Typical stability code Using the previous matrix multiplication as derivative operator leads to discretise the linearised stability equations into an algebraic problem for X the vector of the unknowns j . Then, there are usually two approaches, either the complete spectrum of the discretised problem is looked for or by a shooting method a unique value of the spectrum is looked for. Spectrum. In this case, if the unknown is the complex number , the discretised problem is written under the form : A.X = B.X with A and B two matrices coming from derivation and intervention of the mean ow. All the lines of the matrices correspond to the discretisation of the continuous equations at the collocation points, for example ordered from -1 up to +1. Then the four homogeneous boundary conditions are included by substituting the rst line by the condition (1) = 0, the second line by (1) = 0 and the two last lines in the same way (by the boundary conditions in +1). Thus the previous algebraic problem is replaced by : A.X = B.X The last step consists in determining the eigenvalues by an appropriate method. Shooting method. In this case, if the unknown is the complex number , the discretised problem is written under the form : A().X = 0 As in the previous case, each lines expresses the continuous equation written in the corresponding collocation point. The idea in this case is as before to introduce the boundary conditions, but only three. In addition, a non homogenous one is introduced, for example a condition on the pressure (or the second derivative of ). This non homogeneous condition acts as a normalisation condition. The previous problem is then replaced by : A().X = b The next step consists in inverting A() and thus in determining X. Then, the omitted boundary condition is examined and in fact all the described procedure is included into a loop : is searched until the omitted boundary condition is satised.
Code written in Matlab

A small program written using the commercial software Matlab is given below. The ve routines are organised as described in gure 4.5. The main program is called OrrSom. The initialisation denes the collocation points and the matrix used for the derivation. Then, it is possible to compute the whole spectrum of the linearised operator, this is achieved in the routine spectre. Alternatively, the shooting method can be used, the initial guess is given in the main program, the routine balai denes possible parametric computations (by varying regularly one parameter among the Reynolds number, the frequency and the abscissa). This routine uses the one named Newton whose goal is to determine the eigenvalue by a standard Newton iterative procedure.
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a l a i
N
e w
t o
e s o
r r - S
I n
i t i a l i s a t i o
n
S
e c t r e
Figure 4.5: Representation of ve Matlab routines for solving a stability problem with the spectral collocation method either with a shooting method (upper line Balai - Newton - Resol) or by determining the whole spectrum (lower line Spectre)
Each resolution of the stability equation called by Newton is performed thanks to the routine Resol.
Main program : orrsom.m

% % Programme principal ORRSOM.m % % rsolution du probl`me de stabilit linaire e e e e % pour lcoulement dans un conduit plan ` parois dbitantes. e a e % perturbation en forme de mode normal, % formulation en fonction de courant % % global npol xi e id alpha omega reynolds csol type_calcul xloc; % % valeurs de dpart e %2.48746e-001 9.70805e-001 reynolds = 1000; xloc = 10; omega = 31.6; alpha = complex(4.0158,-0.373); % type_calcul = spectre; % initialisation; % switch lower(type_calcul) case balai balai; case spectre spectre; otherwise disp(Orr-Som, non implment) e e end
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Subroutine : initialisation.m
% % Sous-programme initialisation.m % % Initialisation dans la mthode de collocation spectrale e % npol est le nombre de points de collocation % e est la matrice de drivation e % id est la matrice identit e % xi est le vecteur des points de collocation % global npol xi e c id; % % Prliminaires e % npol = 100; iaff = 0; xi = zeros(npol,1); c = zeros(npol,1); id = zeros(npol,npol); e = zeros(npol,npol); % % Calcul du vecteur xi et du vecteur technique c % for j = 0:npol j1 = j+1; xi(j1,1) = cos(pi*j/npol); c(j1,1) = 1; end id = diag(c,0); c(1,1)=2; c(npol+1,1)=2; % % Calcul de la matrice e % for j = 0:npol j1 = j+1; for k = 0:npol k1 = k+1; if (k~=j) e(j1,k1) = c(j1,1)*(-1)^(k+j)/(c(k1,1)*(xi(j1,1)-xi(k1,1))); else if (j~=0 & j~=npol) e(j1,j1) = -xi(j1,1)/(2*(1-xi(j1,1)*xi(j1,1))); end end end end e(1,1) = (2*npol*npol+1)/6; e(npol+1,npol+1) = -(2*npol*npol+1)/6;
Subroutine : spectre.m
%
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% Sous-programme spectre.m % % Dtermination du spectre de loprateur dOrr-Sommerfeld e e % on crit le probleme sous la forme : e % mat1.v = omega . mat2.v % % Param`tres e % global npol xi e id alpha omega reynolds csol type_calcul vp xloc; % % initialisation % e2 = zeros(npol,npol); mat1 = zeros(npol,npol); mat2 = zeros(npol,npol) ; ci = complex(0,1); e2=e*e ; e3=e2*e ; % % coulement de base e % u = pi*xloc*cos(pi*xi/2)/2; ddu = e2*u; v = -sin(pi*xi/2); ddv = e2*v; % % remplissage des matrices mat1 et mat2 % for i = 0:npol i1 = i+1; for j=0:npol j1=j+1; mat1(i1,j1) = -ci*alpha*(ddu(i1)+alpha*alpha*u(i1))*id(i1,j1); mat1(i1,j1) = mat1(i1,j1)+ci*alpha*u(i1)*e2(i1,j1); mat1(i1,j1) = mat1(i1,j1)-(alpha*alpha*v(i1)+ddv(i1))*e(i1,j1); mat1(i1,j1) = mat1(i1,j1) + v(i1)*e3(i1,j1); end end z1 =-1/reynolds; z2 = 2*alpha*alpha/reynolds ; z3 = -alpha.^4/reynolds; mat1 = mat1 + z1*e2*e2 + z2*e2 + z3*id ; mat2 = -ci*(alpha*alpha*id-e2) ; % % Conditions aux limites % for i = 0:npol i1=i+1; mat1(1,i1) = 0;mat2(1,i1) = 0; mat1(2,i1) = e(1,i1);mat2(2,i1) = 0; mat1(npol,i1) = e(npol+1,i1); mat2(npol,i1) = 0; mat1(npol+1,i1) = 0; mat2(npol+1,i1) = 0; end mat1(npol+1,npol+1) = 1; mat1(1,1) = 1; %
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% calcul des valeurs propres (gnralises) e e e % bmat = eye(size(mat1)); l = eig(mat1,mat2); % % reprsentation graphique e % plot(real(l),imag(l),ob,MarkerSize,6,MarkerFaceColor,b) axis([0 100 -10 5])
Subroutine : balai.m
% % Sous-programme balai.m % % calcul de valeurs propres avec Newton par variation de lun des param`tres e % % Ce param`tre peut etre : e % le nombre de Reynolds % la position en abscisse % la frquence e % % global alpha omega reynolds xloc; % % Valeurs initiales pour la variation % type_balai = reynolds; nparam = 1; dparam = 100; % % Lecture du fichier o` sont crites les valeurs prcdentes u e e e % fid = fopen(C:\GREG\ONERA\SPADA\StabMatlab\varirey.txt,a+); % [vect,count] = fscanf(fid,%f %f %e %e %e,inf); nligne = count/5; indice = 5*(nligne-1); reynolds = vect(indice+1); xloc = vect(indice+2); omega = vect(indice+3); alpha = complex(vect(indice+4),vect(indice+5)); % % Valeurs pour dmarrer le calcul e % alphainit = alpha; omegainit = omega; reynoldsinit = reynolds; xlocinit = xloc; % % Variation suivant le param`tre choisi e % switch lower(type_balai)
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case frequence domega = dparam; dreynolds = 0; dxloc = 0; case abscisse domega = 0; dreynolds = 0; dxloc = dparam; case reynolds domega = 0; dreynolds = dparam; dxloc = 0; otherwise disp(non implment (ou erreur) dans balai) e e end % % Boucle pour la variation du param`tre choisi e % for iparam = 1:nparam omega = omegainit + (iparam-1)*domega; reynolds = reynoldsinit + (iparam-1)*dreynolds; xloc = xlocinit + (iparam-1)*dxloc; % % Estimation des valeurs initiales % switch lower(iparam) case 1 alpha = alphainit; case 2 alpha = alpha1; case 3 alpha = 2*alpha2 - alpha1; otherwise alpha = 3*(alpha3-alpha2) + alpha1; end % % Appel ` la convergence, mthode de Newton a e % newton; % % Stockage des au plus 3 derni`res valeurs converges e e % switch lower(iparam) case 1 alpha1 = alpha; case 2 alpha2 = alpha; case 3 alpha3 = alpha; otherwise alpha1=alpha2; alpha2=alpha3; alpha3=alpha; end %
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% Affichage cran des rsultats e e % fprintf(iparam = %d, R = %0.1f, X = %0.1f, w = %0.5e, ar = %0.5e, ai = %0.5e\n\n\n,... iparam,reynolds,xloc,omega,real(alpha),imag(alpha)) % % Ecriture sur fichier des rsultats e % fprintf(\n) fprintf(fid,%0.1f %0.1f %0.5e %0.5e %0.5e \n ,... reynolds,xloc,omega,real(alpha),imag(alpha)); end % status = fclose(fid);
Subroutine : newton.m
% % Sous-programme Newton.m % % Mthode de Newton complexe pour e % rsoudre csol = 0, alpha est linconnue complexe e % global npol xi e id alpha omega reynolds csol type_calcul; % % Initialisation Newton % dval = 1E-4; err = 1; it = 0; alphan = alpha ; % % Mthode de Newton (utilisation des relations de Cauchy) e % while (err > 1E-08 & it < 10) it = it + 1; alpha = alphan; resol; csol0 = csol ; alpha = alphan + dval; resol; csolm = csol; dcsol = (csolm-csol0)/dval; cor = csol0/dcsol; err = abs(cor)/abs(alphan); alphan = alphan - cor; end if (err > 1E-06) disp(probl`me Newton) e break end
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Subroutine : resol.m
% % Sous-programme resol. % % On ecrit Orr-Sommerfeld sous la forme mat.X = b % % e2 : matrice de drive seconde e2 = e*e e e % global npol xi e id c alpha omega reynolds csol xloc; % % initialisation % b = zeros(npol,1); e2 = zeros(npol,npol); mat = zeros(npol,npol); e3 = zeros(npol,npol); ci = complex(0,1); e2=e*e; e3=e2*e; % % coulement de base e % u = pi*xloc*cos(pi*xi/2)/2; ddu = e2*u; v = -sin(pi*xi/2); ddv = e2*v; % % remplissage de la matrice mat % for i = 0:npol i1 = i+1; for j=0:npol j1=j+1; mat(i1,j1) = -ci*alpha*(ddu(i1)+alpha*alpha*u(i1))*id(i1,j1); mat(i1,j1) = mat(i1,j1)+ci*alpha*u(i1)*e2(i1,j1); mat(i1,j1) = mat(i1,j1)-(alpha*alpha*v(i1)+ddv(i1))*e(i1,j1); mat(i1,j1) = mat(i1,j1) + v(i1)*e3(i1,j1); mat(i1,j1) = mat(i1,j1) -ci*omega*e2(i1,j1) ; end end z1 =-1/reynolds; z2 = 2*alpha*alpha/reynolds ; z3 = -alpha.^4/reynolds + ci*omega*alpha*alpha ; mat = mat + z1*e2*e2 + z2*e2 + z3*id ; % % conditions aux limites % on crit psi"(1) = 1, psi(1) = 0, psi(-1) = 0, psi(-1) = 0 e % for i = 0:npol i1=i+1; mat(1,i1) = e2(1, i1); mat(2,i1) = e(1,i1); mat(npol,i1) = e(npol+1,i1); mat(npol+1,i1) = 0;
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b(i1) = 0; end mat(npol+1,npol+1) = 1; b(1) = 1; % % inversion % sol_v = mat\b ; % % si iaff=0, cest Newton sur v(1), sinon affichage de la fonction propre % iaff = 0; if (iaff == 0) csol = sol_v(1); else sol_dv = e*sol_v; plot(xi,abs(sol_v),xi,abs(sol_dv),LineWidth,2) set(gca,DefaulttextFontName,Times New Roman);set(0,DefaulttextFontSize,14); xlabel({\it y},FontName,Times New Roman,FontSize,16); ylabel({\it u,v},FontName,Times New Roman,FontSize,16); legend(u,v,0); end
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Numerical Modeling of Internal Flow Aerodynamics Part 1: Steady State Computations

Jean-Franois Gury
SNPE Propulsion Centre de Recherche du Bouchet F-91710 Vert-le-Petit FRANCE
NOTATIONS
E F G H S k total energy per unit of mass (J/kg) convective flux vector in the x direction convective flux vector in the y direction convective flux vector in the z direction source term vector turbulent kinetic energy mass flow rate per injecting surface unit (kg/m2) pressure (Pa) fluctuating pressure (Pa) conservative variables vector of NavierStokes equations total mass flow rate (kg/s) burning rate (mm/s) temperature of the flow (K) uv v vinj w x,y,z Tf u propellant flame temperature (K) velocity component in the x-longitudinal direction (m/s) axial mean velocity (m/s) velocity component in the y-lateral direction (m/s) wall injection velocity (m/s) velocity component in the w-lateral direction (m/s) co-ordinate system (m) turbulent dissipation rate thermal conductivity (W/mK) dynamic viscosity (kg/ms) density (kg/m3) propellant density (kg/m3)
& mw
P P Q qm rb T
Dimensionless Parameter Rec Res axial Reynolds number: uv Dc/, where Dc is a characteristic diameter of the SRM wall injection Reynolds number: vw Dc/ isentropic exponent, equal to the specific heat ratio for a perfect gas
INTRODUCTION [1]
Internal ballistics in a SRM can be solved with various ways and for various objectives [2]. The motor design engineer wants to predict or understand the burning characteristics and the global performances of the motor, seek the efficiency of thermal insulation and nozzle design, check the reliability of ignition and motor design for the life cycle of the motor, take into account variability induced by manufacturing processes, etc.
Numerical Modeling of Internal Flow Aerodynamics Part 1: Steady State Computations Different ways can be followed to reach the same goal. The reasons why a project manager uses numerical simulations are multiple. In the predictive mode, the aim is to design the system which fulfils the specifications at the lowest development cost (by minimizing the number of prototypes and tests). In the explanatory mode, the desire is to explain an observed and unknown phenomenon that happened during the development phase of a program. For solid rocket motors, the objectives of internal flow computations are to predict the global performance and reliability of the rocket, avoid, minimize or master undesired behaviors (like thrust oscillations, erosive burning), take into account flow/grain and casing interactions (mechanical and thermal loads), etc. The internal aerodynamics inside a solid rocket motor can be modeled with increasing degrees of complexity from the simplest global equations to a full 3D numerical simulations. An AGARD Lecture Series has already been organized on the Design Methods in Solid Rocket Motors [3]. The objective of this special course is not to duplicate the materials developed in AGARD-LS-150. We will focus on multidimensional simulations of internal flows. Example of objectives and constraints: assessment of stability prediction of performances prediction of reliability prediction of variability, for instance thrust imbalance (important when using simultaneously more than one identical motor)
Conception: choose the right propellant for the application, and design the initial geometry of the solid propellant charge that will deliver, with surface regression, the required time history of the gas flow assess reliability of the designed motor (mechanical loads, ignition, casting process and raw materials variability, thrust oscillations, )
Challenges of numerical modeling: two-phase reacting flow (aluminized propellants) gas in a wide range of temperatures multi-species and turbulence two or three dimensional geometry moving boundaries fluid/structure coupling, with heterogeneous surface combustion steady and unsteady compressible flows, with all range of Mach number
The impact of numerical modeling in designing motors of new generation had a recent increase due to mainly three causes:
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large progress of computer power (hardware) and in computational fluid dynamics (software) in the last decades objective of cost reduction (mainly in the development phase of a new motor) new objectives of performance and reliability
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Numerical Modeling of Internal Flow Aerodynamics Part 1: Steady State Computations An improved prediction reduces the number of qualifying fires, and for large and expensive motors, this is of prime importance. This lecture series will be divided in two special courses. The first one presents the general models for solving internal steady state aerodynamic in solid rocket motors, the second one focus on pressure and thrust oscillations modeling.
GENERAL EQUATION FOR AERODYNAMICS

At a starting point, the general equations describing fluid flows inside a solid rocket motor begins with the Navier-Stokes equation. We remind them as an introduction. The general form of the conservation equations for a three dimensional viscous flow can be written in the following form:
Q F G H + + + =S t x y z
where:
u Q = v w E
u 2 u + P xx uv F= xy uw xz (E + P )u u v w T xx xy xz x
v uv xy 2 G = v + P yy vw yz T ( E + P )v u xy v yy w yz y
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w uw xz H = vw yz w 2 + P zz T ( E + P )w u xz v yz w zz z
and S is the source term vector. These equations must be solved with appropriate solvers and on appropriate grids. Over the last twenty years, different grid technologies have been developed. Based on experience on finite difference schemes and for the sake of simplicity in software management, structured grids have been widely used. A structured grid is a grid where each component can be identified by two indices (i,j) in 2D and three indices (i,j,k) in 3D. Each index refers to a space dimension. Hence, the grid points are ordered, giving the name of structured grid. However, this technology was shown very precise and efficient for a simple geometry but limited for a complex geometry. Techniques of multiple structured domains overlapping have been developed, but with special difficulties for ensuring global conservation among the different domains and a good efficiency on distributed memory parallel computers. For an unstructured flow solver, the computational domain is tessellated using a grid composed of simplices, which are quadrilaterals or triangles in two dimensions and generally tetrahedras, pyramids, pentagons, prisms and hexahedras in three dimensions. Unstructured grids provide flexibility for tessellating about complex geometry and for adapting to flow features, such as shocks and boundary layers. On a given grid, one has the option of locating the variables at the cell centers or at the vertices of the grid, giving rise to cell-centered and cell-vertex schemes. Alternatively, it is possible to deal strictly with averages defined over volumes. This approach has certain advantages for higher order schemes. In the case of finite volume schemes, the governing equations are discretized. This allows discontinuities to be captured as part of the solution.
SOLID PROPULSION MODELS

General modern CFD codes for computing flows in solid rocket motors have the following features: solves the 2D axisymmetrical, plane and 3D Navier-Stokes equations for laminar or turbulent flows uses unstructured meshes for complex geometry treatment has the possibility for treating the chemical reactions of multi-species and the coupling between a gas phase and a condensed phase, inert or not, with specific models has moving mesh facilities incorporates specific solid propulsion models for the burning rate, from simple laws (regression rate) to several coupling (ignition, erosive burning, unsteady combustion) as well as solid propellant grain coupling (mechanical, surface-burnback).
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COMBUSTION AND EROSIVE BURNING

Erosive burning is a phenomenon commonly experienced in a solid propellant rocket motor, represented by an increase of the local propellant burning rate due to high velocity combustion gas flow across the burning surface. Most propellants have a minimum cross-flow velocity below which erosive burning is not observed, referred to as the threshold velocity. The erosive burning mechanism is believed to be due to the: increase in gas-to-solid heat feedback caused by the increase in transport coefficients turbulence-enhanced mixing and chemical reaction of the oxidizer and fuel rich gases pyrolized for composite propellants
Steady combustion is a complex mechanism including chemical and physical effects (nature and details of energetic materials and additives, particle size distribution, operating conditions: pressure, initial temperature, radiation, ). For erosive burning, the cross-flow velocity (parallel to the solid propellant burning surface) constitutes an additional operating condition of extreme importance. Several theoretical approaches have been reported, which can be grouped in five categories, following Kuo and coworkers [4]: 1) phenomenological heat transfer theories 2) modification of the propellant combustion mechanism 3) integral boundary layer analysis 4) chemically reacting turbulent boundary layer analysis 5) others We focus on models 1 and 4. Models in the category 1 will have an interest for engineering design problems while models in the category 4, relying on more fundamental viewpoint, are thought to be more precise and thus more appropriate for being incorporated in complex CFD codes.
Phenomenological Heat Transfer Theories

Most of these models are based on or derived from Lenoir & Robillard [5] approach, giving the general expression for the burning rate in the form:
rb = aP n +
G g
f ( Dh )
s rb
G
where , and g are three constants, G is the mass flux through the port, and Dh is the hydraulic diameter. The expression f(Dh) can include scale effects. In the original form, f(Dh)=Dh0.2, =53 is found to be independent of the propellant type, and g=0.8 (based on Chilton-Coburn correlation for evaluating the convective heat transfer coefficient ). This approach is well suited for 1D analysis.
Chemically Reacting Turbulent Boundary Layer Analysis

These models are well suited to aerothermochemical analysis of erosive burning of composite propellants, and many authors have contributed (King [6], Beddini, Kuo, and people from ONERA). We will focus on ONERA approach [7,8] used at SNPE.
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Numerical Modeling of Internal Flow Aerodynamics Part 1: Steady State Computations The turbulent flow is solved in a high Reynolds approach and the propellant surface is treated as a wall zone. In this region, Couette equations are solved, from the propellant surface to the first integration point of the flow in the port. The temperature gradient in the flame is then computed, leading to the heat flux to the surface. A flame height criterion is used, assuming that the combustion between oxidizing and fuel gases is limited by the diffusion (valid for medium and large AP sizes). In the erosive regime, the solution of the Couette flow is coupled with the flame height criterion, including the turbulent contribution. This coupled system is solved in an iterative way, until the velocity and temperature profiles match the values of the first integration point in the flow. At convergence, the erosive burning rate is immediately obtained. Since it is driven by viscous effects, the erosive burning in a SRM will be sensitive to the scale of the motor.
Figure 1: Flame Zone Computed by the ONERA Model at Different Scales (1, 1/10 and 1/100).
Figure 2: Erosive Behavior as a Function of the Motor Scale (ONERA Model).
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Figure 3: Erosive Threshold in Various Configurations (ONERA Model).
TURBULENCE
Turbulence modeling in the port becomes necessary for the evaluation of heat transfer and/or diffusion related phenomena (erosive burning, heat flux over thermal inhibitors and material decomposition, ). Cold flow experiments with wall injection have shown that this kind of flow have a delayed turbulent transition, as illustrated on Figure 4. The important parameter is the injection Reynolds number (defined with injection velocity at the blowing surface and port radius). For injection Reynolds number above 50, the transition from a laminar to a turbulent flow is delayed.
Figure 4: Laminar / Turbulent Transition as a Function of the Injection Reynolds Number.
The difficulty in simulating turbulence in a SRM comes from the fact that the transition is always inside the port, since the velocity at the head-end is equal to zero. So, turbulence modeling must compute correctly the transition. A schematic view of laminar-turbulence interaction is given in Figure 5.
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Figure 5: Schematic View of Laminar-Turbulence Transition in a SRM.
Usually, classical turbulence models are used for internal flows in SRM. As in the usual treatment of turbulence, the velocity field u and pressure P are decomposed into mean u, P and fluctuating u, P parts with Favres average for compressible flows. Two-equation models, like the k- model, solves transport equations for the turbulent kinetic energy k and the dissipation rate . Source terms (S) are accounted for modeling turbulence creation and dissipation. The eddy viscosity is expressed as a function of k2/ and the Boussinesq hypothesis is used for computing the turbulent stresses. Classical k- turbulence models are isotropic, and this hypothesis is very restrictive for flows in SRM. Anisotropic turbulence models, like Algebraic Stress Models (ASM) are an efficient way for improving turbulence modeling without a dramatic CPU increase. Flow turbulence modeling must always be associated with a consistent injection modeling. As the difficulty is in predicting turbulence transition, the flow features must be well described at injection. This can be done by solving the boundary zone with Couette or Prantl equations, as for the erosive burning modeling, or with approximated laws [9].
Figure 6: Computation of Turbulence Level in a Finocyl SRM (SNPE).
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TWO-PHASE FLOW EFFECTS

Many solid rocket motors use aluminized propellants in order to improve their performances. The aluminum combustion produce a condensed phase (aluminum oxide), and therefore a two-phase flow in the rocket chamber. An important consequence of the presence of this liquid phase is two-phase losses, and in the case of large segmented motors with a submerged nozzle, slag accumulation, which may have several consequences on specific impulse, thermal insulation behavior and thrust vectoring. Continuous efforts have been done, for many years, in the USA, in Russia and in France, in order to develop numerical models able to predict accurately losses and the slag formation. More details can be fond in Salita special course [10]. An eulerian or a lagrangian description can be used for the condensed phase. In the eulerian description, the condensed phase is assumed to be a continuous medium, and the conservation equation are derived from integrals of conservative quantities (mass, momentum and energy) on control volumes. The following vectors are added to the gas phase vector in the previous form of the conservation equation [11]:
p pu p Qp = pv p p wp p E p
p wp pu p pv p 2 pu p wp pu p pu pv p 2 Fp = p u p v p G p = p v p H p = pv p wp 2 u w v w p p p p p p p wp ( E )w ( p E p )u p ( p E p )v p p p p
and the source term S account for gas-condensed phase interactions. In these expressions, subscript p refers to the particulate phase. The volume fraction of the dispersed phase is noted p and is supposed to be small (for being neglected in the gas phase equations). Apparent condensed phase density, p, is equal to p=pp where p is the condensed phase true density. The eulerian method is well suited for particles with a fixed diameter. Generally, aluminum oxide particle show a bi or trimodal distribution after aluminum combustion (resulting from smoke, nominal aluminum residues and agglomerated aluminum residues). According to its small size and relaxation time, the smoke can be treated with the equivalent gas. Generally, one or two classes (diameter) or particles are used in the computation. Even if it is possible in the eulerian form, for coupling the particle velocity field with turbulence or taking into account complex phenomena such as coalescence or break-up, the lagrangian method is more appropriate.
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Numerical Modeling of Internal Flow Aerodynamics Part 1: Steady State Computations In the lagrangian method, group of particles are emitted from the propellant surface and are explicitly followed in the flow. It allows more complex physics to be taken into account since it approaches the discrete form of the condensed phase, but the lagrangian method is CPU time consuming for a correct treatment of the flow (approaching the apparent particle density in the flow).
Figure 7: Lagrangian Computation of the Two-Phase Flow in Ariane 5 SRM [13].
Two-Phase Losses
These losses are created by the non equilibrium between gas and condensed phase from the chamber to the throat. In the converging part of the nozzle, the flow is accelerated and the condensed phase is accelerated by the flow. An important parameter will be the ratio of condensed phase relaxation time over the transit time in the nozzle. If we note R this ratio: for small R, the particles are in equilibrium with the gas, they are accelerated and give their thermal energy (temperature) to the gas, contributing to the impulse; for large R, particles will be in non-equilibrium with the gas, and an impulse deficit will be created.
Additional phenomena to take into account are particles break-up and phase changes.
Investigation of the Slag Formation [12]

Slag is generated, either when aluminum oxide droplets impinge on some portion of the back-face of the nozzle, or when they are captured in the recirculation zone behind the submerged nozzle. This phenomenon generally produces a slag pool in the aft end of the motor and an aluminum oxide liquid film on some part of the nozzle wall.
Figure 8: Schematic View of Main Phenomena Leading to Slag Formation. 9 - 10 RTO-EN-023
Numerical Modeling of Internal Flow Aerodynamics Part 1: Steady State Computations Different strategies can be applied to the slag formation investigation: a fully coupled numerical computation, or a two step, uncoupled, computation. The principle of a two-step uncoupled calculation can be summarized as follows [13]: 1) The steady state of the gas flowfield must be calculated with an appropriate turbulence model; the presence of the liquid phase must be taken into account by assuming that the two phases are at equilibrium everywhere in the booster (same temperature, same velocity and constant density ratio deduced from the propellant composition), using the equivalent gas (see chapter on thermochemistry). 2) The condensed phase consists only of aluminum oxide droplets, ejected directly from the propellant surface; when the combustion zone is small compared to motor geometry, no combustion model need to be used; the droplet size distributions, used in the simulations, must follow the experimental distribution, measured with a quench bomb. 3) If the motion of the droplets is simulated by a Lagrangian method, all the trajectories are calculated on the steady gas flowfield and a stochastic model can be used to take into account the influence of the turbulence field on the droplet dispersion. 4) The total slag rate can be calculated by summing the weights of all the droplets which impinged the nozzle back-face in the stagnation zone or which are trapped in the recirculation zone in the aft end of the motor. If the motor is unstable, a coupling may exists between vortex-shedding and particles behavior in the flow. In that particular case, an unsteady computation of this coupling is necessary [14].
Figure 9: Computation of the Coupling between Vortex-Shedding and Two-Phase Flow in an Unstable Segmented Solid Rocket Motor (Particles Volume Fraction).
THERMOCHEMISTRY
Since the flame zone in SRM is very small compared to motor length, we can consider that the injected gas from the burning surface are the final combustion products. Generally, their thermochemical properties are computed from equilibrium computer codes, most of them based on the original Gordon and Mc Bride CEC71 code [15]. Since classical computations are done with constant thermodynamic properties, the validity of assumptions made for computing them must be checked. Classically, two thermodynamic parameters are taken: the frozen heat capacity and in the motor. As an illustration, the evolution of the frozen heat capacity of a composite solid propellant is given as a function of the Mach number in a SRM (from the chamber to the throat) in Figure 10.
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Cp
0,1
0,2
0,3
0,4
0,5
0,6
0,7
0,8
0,9
Mach
Figure 10: Example of the Evolution of the Heat Capacity with the Mach Number in the Convergent Part of a Nozzle.
Another approximation can be made by writing the combination of Saint-Venant and enthalpy conservation equation:
T f = T (1 +
1
2
M 2)
and using this equation at the throat (M=1) for computing an approximated with the value of the temperature at the throat computed by the thermodynamical code. This equation also shows that temperature and velocity or pressure and density are correlated in a SRM, and that temperature and pressure are independant. The other thermodynamic parameter, for instance the specific heat capacity, can be adjusted for giving the correct characteristic velocity c*, hence the correct pressure.
1,2
0,8 Approximated Theoretical Mach 0,6
0,4
0,2
0 1 1,2 1,4 1,6 1,8 2 eps (A/At) 2,2 2,4 2,6 2,8 3
Figure 11: Comparison of Theoretical and Approximated Pressure in a Nozzle.
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6
4 Pressure (MPa) Approximated Theoretical 3
0 1 1,2 1,4 1,6 1,8 2 eps (A/At) 2,2 2,4 2,6 2,8 3
Figure 12: Comparison of Theoretical and Approximated Pressure in a Nozzle.
For a two-phase flow approximation, the following relations must be written for the heat capacity and specific heat ratio:
c p = (1 + Cm )c p Cm c p
g =
1 1 (1 + Cm ) c p 1 g cp
where the subscripts g and p are for the gaz and particulate phase in the two-phase approximation, and Cm is the condensed phase / gas phase mass flow rate ratio.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS: FLUID-STRUCTURE INTERACTION [16]

Fully coupled solution of fluid flows with structural interactions is called fluid-structure interaction. The range of its applications is important in many engineering disciplines [17]. Some current applications are pressure waves in a piping system, sound waves traveling through fluid-solid media, biomedical problems such as blood flow in a diseased artery or coupled instabilities in power systems. Computeraided techniques for design optimization have been much promoted over the past decades and have subsequently reached a high level of sophistication within many single disciplines such as fluid or structural mechanics. However, because of complexity and computational cost issues, most often the coupling effects are neglected. For example, in aerodynamics optimization, the structure is assumed to be rigid. Another reason for separate treatment is the schismatic split-up of engineering disciplines, which makes it difficult for one person to have in-depth knowledge on all of these. With the computer power increasing and the advent of parallel processing, research on fluid-structure interaction in the field of numerical aeroelastic simulations has received growing interest in the last ten years. In fluid-structure interactions, the combined effects of inertial, elastic and aerodynamic forces impact the movement of the fluid and solid boundaries. The fluid movement exerts aerodynamic forces on the structure that reacts and in turn forces the flow to evolve at the interface with an interface velocity. This produces the coupling effect and suitable computational strategies need to be developed. The problem
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Numerical Modeling of Internal Flow Aerodynamics Part 1: Steady State Computations of the motion of the fluid-structure interface that occurs in coupled aeroelastic problems is generally addressed by solving the fluid equations on moving dynamic meshes with an Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian formulation. Fluid structure computation has applications in solid propellant grain mechanical design and unsteady simulations.
Main Features of the Modeling

Mathematical models of coupled problems are usually coupled partial differential equations in space and time. Often, different discretization techniques are used on the different physical components. The most difficult part of handling numerically the fluid-structure coupling arises from the fact that the structural equations are usually formulated with lagrangian coordinates while the flow equations are expressed using eulerian coordinates. These physically heterogeneous system components are computationally treated as isolated entities that are separately advanced in time. Interaction effects are viewed as forcing effects that are communicated between the individual components.
Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian Formulation

The ALE formulation consists in solving the conservation equation on a moving grid. Since if the grid is fixed, the method is called eulerian, and the method is called lagrangian for grid points having the material velocity, the ALE formulation is a generalization. Numerical fluxes must be computed correctly through the moving faces [17]. In order to solve the problem, the computational mesh has to be moved or deformed during the time integration of the fluid. A common technique to deform a mesh is the spring analogy. The force exerted by the nodes j which are connected to the node i is mathematically expressed by:
ij
r r ( x j xi )
where ij is the stiffness of the spring between nodes i and j. At equilibrium state, the force at every node i has to be zero. After regrouping the terms, the iterative equation to be solved yields:
r xik +1 =
ij x k j
ij
Structural Model
The structural model can go from a simple reduction of stiffness, mass and damping matrices of the finite element mechanical model on the fluid boundary to the full resolution with a non linear structural mechanics code.
Fluid-Structure Coupling Algorithm

The coupling algorithm is performed in a staggered way. Structure and fluid are integrated on the same time scale (given by the fluid time step required by the fluid solver) although the characteristic scales for the structural system and for the fluid flow may be very different.
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Numerical Modeling of Internal Flow Aerodynamics Part 1: Steady State Computations The fluid and structure equations are coupled by imposing that at the boundary, the structure stress tensor is in equilibrium with the fluid pressure and that wall boundary condition occurs on the fluid-structure interface. It implies that the forces and energies exchanged at the fluid-structure interface are balanced. Moreover, mesh and structure motions are also coupled by continuity conditions on the interface. A complete cycle takes place as follows: 1) The fluid transmits to the structure a pressure profile obtained at time n to evaluate the pressure forces exerted by the fluid F n . 2) The structure model determines the displacements q n +1 . 3) This structure configuration is transmitted to the fluid model. 4) Fluid variables W are then advanced at time n + 1 . 5) Back to step 1. The position of the structure at time n + 1 is advanced with pressure force input F n defined from a fluid pressure profile and then the flow state vector W n +1 is computed from the mesh configurations x n = q n to x n +1 = q n +1 . The position of the dynamic fluid mesh does not lag behind that of the surface of the structure. With no damping matrix [D], the structural energy expresses as:
Es =
1 t 1 & & q [K ] q + t q [M ] q + t q F0 2 2
and its variation during a time step is E s = E sn +1 E sn = t q n +1 t q n F n deriving from the structural time integrator. On the other hand, the transferred energy through an element of the fluid-structure interface can be written as E f = t x n +1 t x n P where P is the nodal fluid force whose expression
depends on the fluid pressure values used by the flow solver to compute the fluxes across the fluidstructure interface. The force and energy exchanged between the fluid and the structure at their interface must be opposed. To ensure these principles, a procedure enforcing momentum or energy conservation is used at the interface in step 4. To do it, fluid pressure involved in the boundary flux is re-adjusted. The simplest way is to estimate P and F n with the mean value of the gas pressure available at the beginning of cycle.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
In this lecture, on overview of general problems and models used in CFD code for SRM steady interior flows has been made. The second paper will focus on unsteady phenomena.
REFERENCES
[1] [2] [3] A. Davenas et al, Solid Rocket Propulsion Technology, Pergamond Press, 1993. F. Godfroy and G. Delannoy, La Modlisation des Ecoulements dans les systmes propulsifs et les dispositifs pyrotechniques, Revue Scientifique de la Dfense, 1997-3, pp. 63-74. AGARD-LS-150, Design Methods in Solid Rocket Motors.
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Numerical Modeling of Internal Flow Aerodynamics Part 1: Steady State Computations [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] K.K. Kuo and M. Summerfield et al, Fundamentals of Solid Propellant Combustion, AIAA PAAS Vol. 90. J.M. Lenoir and G. Robillard, A Method to Predict the Effects of Erosive Burning in Rocket Motors, 6th Symposium on Combustion, 1957. M.K. King, Erosive Burning of Solid Propellants, Combustion of Solid Propellants, AGARD-LS-180, 1991. J.C. Godon, J. Duterque and G. Lengell, Solid Propellant Erosive Burning, Journal of Propulsion and Power, 8(4), pp. 741-747, 1992. J.C. Godon, J. Duterque and G. Lengell, Erosive Burning in Solid Propellant Motors, Journal of Propulsion and Power, 9(6), pp. 806-811, 1993. I. Tseng, I-Shih and V. Yang, Combustion of a Double-Base Homogeneous Propellant in a Solid Rocket Motor, Combustion and Flame, Vol. 96-4, 1994.
[10] M. Salita, Two-Phase Flows in Rocket Motors, RTO-AVT-VKI Special Course, Internal Aerodynamics in Solid Rocket Propulsion, May 2002. [11] V. Morfouace and P.Y. Tissier, Two-Phase Flow Analysis of Instabilities Driven by VortexShedding in Solid Rocket Motors, AIAA-95-2733, July 1995. [12] J. Dupays, Y. Fabignon, P. Villedieu, G. Lavergne and J.L. Estivalezes, Some Aspects of Two-Phase Flows in Solid Propellant Rocket Motors, in Solid Propellant Chemistry, Combustion and Motor Interior Ballistics, Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics, Vol. 185, 2000. [13] P. Villedieu, Y. Fabignon, J.F. Gury, F. Godfroy, P. Le Helley, J. Hylkema, L. Jacques and G. Lavergne, Slag Accumulation in Large Segmented Solid Rocket Motors with a Submerged Nozzle, Space Solid Propulsion Conference, Rome, November 2000. [14] F. Godfroy and J.F. Gury, Unsteady Eulerian Two-Phase Flow Analysis of Solid-Propellant Rocket Motor Slag, AIAA-97-2859, July 1997. [15] S. Gordon and B.J. McBride, Computer Program for Calculation of Complex Chemical Equilibrium Compositions, Rocket Performance, Incident and Reflected Shocks and Chapman-Jouguet Detonation, NASA-Lewis Research Center, SP-273, 1971. [16] P. Della Pieta et al, Numerical Simulations of Some Fluid-Structure Interaction Phenomena Found in Solid Rocket Motors, paper submitted for publication to the Journal of Propulsion and Power. [17] A. Dervieux et al, Fluid-Structure Interaction, Revue Europenne des Elmnts Finis, Vol. 9, October 2000.
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Numerical Modeling of Internal Flow Aerodynamics Part 2: Unsteady Flows

Jean-Franois Gury
SNPE Propulsion Centre de Recherche du Bouchet F-91710 Vert-le-Petit FRANCE
NOTATIONS
a fnL sound velocity (m/s) = rT nth longitudinal acoustic mode (Hz) (= u uv v vinj w x,y,z s unsteady mean velocity component in the x-longitudinal direction (m/s) axial mean velocity (m/s) unsteady mean velocity component in the y-lateral direction (m/s) wall injection velocity (m/s) unsteady mean velocity component in the w-lateral direction (m/s) co-ordinate system (m) density (kg/m3) propellant density (kg/m3)
na in a closed duct assumption) 2L
& mw
P qm R rb T Tf
mass flow rate per injecting surface unit (kg/m2) pressure (Pa) total mass flow rate (kg/s) port radius burning rate (mm/s) temperature of the flow (K) propellant flame temperature (K)
Dimensionless Parameter Rec Rew Reynolds number: uv Dc/, where Dc is a characteristic diameter of the SRM wall injection Reynolds number: vw hc/ specific heat ratio
INTRODUCTION
It has been widely reported in the open literature that large segmented and axisymmetric Solid Rocket Motors (SRM) are subject to pressure oscillations caused by vortex shedding at annular restrictors or cavities in the grain, and acoustic feedback resulting from impingement of the vortices on the nozzle or other obstacles. If they are well suited for combustion instabilities studies in tactical rocket motors, acoustic balance methods have proven inefficient in predicting stability of large segmented rocket motors (e.g. Ariane 5 MPS and Titan IV SRMU).
Paper presented at the RTO/VKI Special Course on Internal Aerodynamics in Solid Rocket Propulsion, held in Rhode-Saint-Gense, Belgium, 27-31 May 2002, and published in RTO-EN-023. RTO-EN-023 10 - 1
Numerical Modeling of Internal Flow Aerodynamics Part 2: Unsteady Flows For those situations, the full unsteady numerical simulation of the internal flow becomes the adequate solution. In general, simulations are done within two objectives: Explanation: this is the numerical simulation of a geometry defined at the time (web thickness) of maximum pressure oscillation after the firing of a SRM. This simulation will be generally made in a fixed geometry corresponding at that web thickness for a few acoustic periods. Frequencies and levels are expected from numerical simulation. The objective is to compute and explain the non linear coupling mechanisms between hydrodynamic instabilities and acoustics leading to such levels, with associated processes (conditions for resonance, aluminum combustion, fluid-structure coupling, ...). Prediction: in this simulation, we want to assess the effect of a change in SRM geometry, propellant, burning rate [1],... on thrust oscillations, before any firing. In that case, all the firing has to be examined since there is no way to determine a priori the time of maximum pressure oscillation.
The studies carried out in France during the last 10 years (POP and ASSM CNES programs) have displayed that vortex shedding due to annular restrictors is not the only process explaining the thrust oscillations of large SRM. It comes actually that pressure oscillations in large L/D ratio SRM could be due to three different vortex shedding phenomena [2]: Vortex shedding from annular restrictors, Vortex shedding over intersegment cavities, Surface vortex shedding [3].
This lecture will focus on some models used in CFD code for internal aerodynamics in SRM, validation cases, confrontations between experiments and simulations, and recent improvements.
GRAIN REGRESSION EFFECT

If we do not want to simulate the entire firing, but concentrate on a typical event (burst) some time during the firing, care must be taken for defining properly the computation initial conditions. During the burning of a solid propellant grain, the internal geometry evolves continuously, leading to an evolution of the aerodynamic flow field and acoustic modes. When a hydrodynamic instability matches an acoustic mode, this slow evolution creates slow frequency changes, and waterfalls on successive acoustic modes. We can define some characteristic times. For the sake of simplicity, a global approach is given. In a SRM and in the steady state, pressure and temperature fields can be shown independent. We define uv(x) to be the axial mean velocity at an x axial position in the motor:
uv =
& m( x ) ( x) A( x)
& with m(x) being the mass flow rate through the port cross area A(x) at abscissa x. This expression shows that this means velocity can vary for at least three reasons:

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& a variation of the forward mass flow m(x)

a variation of the density (that is to say the mean pressure) a variation of the port cross area
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Numerical Modeling of Internal Flow Aerodynamics Part 2: Unsteady Flows Hence, four characteristic times can be defined: 1) t m =
& m( x ) & d (m( x)) dt

P d ( P) dt
2) t p =
3) t b = 4) t u =
R rb u v ( x) d (u v ( x)) dt
The two first characteristic times can be any during some events in the burning (for instance when the burning surface reaches the structure). The third characteristic time describes the slow evolution of the internal geometry. The last characteristic time, related to the evolution of the mean velocity, can characterize constant Strouhal evolution rates. Dimensionless parameters can be obtained through the product of these times with f1L. For instance, in Ariane 5 SRM and in the last third of the firing, tbf1L is around of 3000. It means that during 30 periods of the first acoustic mode, the port internal radius has varied of 1%. These considerations show that in the majority of applications, the geometry can be considered fixed, defined by a ballistics restitution, when we want to compute the unsteady internal flow during a few first acoustic mode periods, and a way for verifying this hypothesis can be by computing these characteristic times.
PHYSICAL MODELS
In order to extend the credibility of numerical calculations as a predicting tool to be used for industrial applications either in development phases or in conceptual analysis phases, one needs to improve the level of accuracy of physical models and the effectiveness of numerical schemes. Numerical schemes are the classical ones used in CFD (generally, finite volume methods based on approximate Riemann solvers, with at least second order accuracy in space and time). Important physical models are two-phase and unsteady combustion models.
Unsteady Combustion Modeling

The pressure-coupled response links the fluctuations of the propellant injected specific mass flow rate to the fluctuations of the pressure, both being functions of the frequency through the pulsation =2f:
R mp ( ) =
&' & m m p' p
(1)
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Numerical Modeling of Internal Flow Aerodynamics Part 2: Unsteady Flows This linear expression accounts for the coupling between unsteady combustion phenomena in the propellant and fluctuating pressure above the burning surface. The real part of the response indicates the portion of the mass burning rate which fluctuates in phase with the pressure, which means energy is exchanged between the pressure waves in the gas phase and the propellant burning surface. According to the sign of the real part of Rmp, pressure waves will be amplified (Re(Rmp)>0) or damped (Re(Rmp)<0) by the combustion. The analytical expression of the response can be deduced by modeling the heat flux transfer from the flame to the propellant surface and the heat diffusion inside the solid phase. Several non-linear models were proposed [20-22], and they usually differ one from the other in the expression of the instantaneous heat flux transmitted to the propellant. Culick [21] has shown that all these models could lead to a same form for the linear response function, which is the two-parameter function:
R mp ( ) =
where:
nAB S + A S (1 + A) + AB
(2)
n is the pressure exponent of the steady-state burning rate law Vc = pn . A and B are non-dimensional parameters which characterize the propellant and depend on its physical and chemical properties. A is related to the pyrolysis kinematics and B to the energy released at the surface of the propellant. S is a Laplace variable, here defined by equation: S(S - 1) = i, where = a/Vc2, a being the propellant thermal diffusivity.
In an internal CFD code, the pressure-coupled response can be modeled through a detailed physical model, CPU time consuming, or in a very simpler way (Traineau et al.) [16]. The ONERA representation of the unsteady propellant combustion prescribes the instantaneous specific injected mass flow rate as:
& m m(t ) = m + & & p
t t 0
d R( )[p (t ) p ]
0
(3)
where R() is the impulse response associated with propellant pressure-coupled response and quantities with an overbar are mean values. Assuming the response function Rmp is known (i.e. the values of A and B are determined from experimental points) for a given frequency range [0-fmax], its associated impulse response can be deduced easily by applying an inverse Fourier Transform to Rmp. The time resolution of the impulse response function has to be adjusted according to the time step of the Navier-Stokes simulation. The model implementation mainly consists in replacing the propellant boundary condition used in NavierStokes solvers (calculation of the injected mass flow rate from the steady-state burning rate law in pn) by a new boundary condition derived from equation (3). The injected specific mass flow rate is computed from Eq. (3) on each grid cell on the propellant surface, not necessarily for each time step dt since usually d is much greater than dt. One has to note that the use of this unsteady propellant combustion model implies the user has previously performed a reference computation with a steady-state burning rate, as expression (3) requires the estimate and storing of the means values of the pressure and injected mass flow rate, for each cell on the propellant burning surface.
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Two-Phase Flows
Aluminized propellants give liquid aluminum oxide in the chamber. This two-phase-flow can significantly influence motor performance in terms of acoustic stability, slag accumulation, nozzle erosion, two-phase losses, and so on The internal unsteady two-phase flows can be solved with eulerian or lagrangian approaches and are described in the previous lecture [4]. The condensed phase can be considered inert or reactive. Most of aluminum combustion models are derived from Laws model [5].
TURBULENCE
Specific turbulence models must be used for studying unsteady flows in SRM. Usually, two kind of models are used: URANS and LES. These models must also take two-phase flow effects into account.
VALIDATION CASES
Many strategies can be used to validate multidimensional computations. The more logical one is to go from confrontations to simple 1D analytical results to full scale comparison with experiments.
Comparison to Analytical Results

Most of them are 1D theories. For instance, Morfouace and Tissier [6] have studied the acoustic wave damping of a two-phase flow in a duct in a very simple test case: the geometry in an open duct, a sinusoidal pressure signal is applied at the entrance, and a non reflecting boundary condition is used at the exit. They compared their results to Culick [7] and Temkin and Dobbins [8] theories.
Figure 1: Comparison between 1D Computation (PATRIC) and TD Theory (Dispersion vs Dimensionless Frequency).
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Figure 2: Comparison between 1D Computation (PATRIC) and TD Theory (Damping vs Dimensionless Frequency).
Comparison to Acoustic Balance

Vuillot et al. [9] have extended the validation to two-dimensional situation. In their paper, 2D NavierStokes stability computations are performed on a simple cylindrical port motor.
L
R
Figure 3: Schematic View of Vuillot et al. Test Case.
The 2D results, in terms of motor frequency and damping, as well as in terms of full acoustic field, are compared to classical 1D linear acoustic balance performed for the first longitudinal mode. The 2D computations are performed in the following way: after convergence toward a steady state solution, the motor is excited close to its first longitudinal mode by means of one period of head end forcing. Then the response of the flow field to that perturbation is analyzed, in term of frequency and exponential damping. The 2D computations are performed with models representing the propellant combustion response and two-phase flow behavior. The models are used separately and then together. The results obtained for various model parameter settings as well as for various griddings are compared to linear results.
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~ Noting the interior of the chamber, its boundary, considering harmonic motions ( F '= F exp(it ) ) and using the following notations:
kN =
N
a
~ u n' u n' 2 E N = ~ N dV , An = a i~ i ,M n = i i p2 p a
where ni is the inward pointing unit normal vector, the linear stability results are:
N =
a 2 2E N
a 2 2E N
Im( An ) ~ N dS p2
a 2 2k N E N
~ ~ p 1 Re F pi N dV+( 1) 2 xi 2E N
~ Im Q p ~ N dV p ~ Re Q p ~ N dV p
~ (Re ( A )+ M )p
n n
2 N
dS
a 2 2k N E N
~ ~ p 1 Im F pi N dV( 1) 2 xi 2E N
The surface integral is usually split over the propellant surface (combustion driving, C) and the nozzle entrance plane (nozzle damping expressed as the sum of a convective part NC and a radiative part NR). It is a common use to add a so-called flow-turning damping term, FT, or to correct the propellant admittance for the displacement effect of the ABL (BL). The last two volume integrals are directly linked with the condensed phase and disappear for a one phase flow. F and Q are respectively the drag force exerted by the particles on the gas and the heat exchanged between the two phases. The overall expression for the resulting frequency shift and damping is:
= C + NR + p = C + BL (or FT) + NC + NR + p
The integral over the burning surface can be simplified by making use of the propellant pressure coupled combustion response, RMP, defined as:
' ' vc vc p u i' .ni' RMP = = + p' p p' p aM inj p'
RMP =
1 M inj + An M inj
so that: c = aM inj Re(RMP
) 2
S inj
~ 2 dS pN ~ 2 dV pN
For the simple cylindrical port, the damping take simplified expressions. The following relationships apply for this simple situation:
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S inj =2RL, S L =R 2 , =R 2 L S inj ML= M inj , SL M inj = Vinj a
~ = ~ cos(k x) with k =q pN pN 0 N N L
leading to:
c = NC =
Vinj R
Re(RMP )
aM L 2Vinj = L R a Re( AL ) L Vinj R
NR =
FT = BL =
p =
v C T +( 1) 2 1+( v ) 2 C p 1+( T ) 2
is the particle to gas mass ratio (=Cm/(1-Cm), where Cm is the propellant particle loading). u and T are 2 material D p 3 C relaxation times given by u = and T = Pr u with Pr, the Prandtl number. 2 Cp 18
Comparison of linear acoustic balance and 2D computation on coarse and fine grids are given in Figure 4 and Figure 5.
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3100
1000 800
Linear CG Type b FG Typeb CG Type a
3000
alpha (1/s)
600 400 200 0 -200
f (Hz)
2900 Linear CG Type b 2800 FG Typeb CG Type a 2700 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 Im(RMP)
-1
Re(RMP)
Figure 4: Summary of Computations with the Propellant Response Function Model (Coarse grid CG, fine grid FG, and two types of propellant response).
1300 1250 1200 alpha (1/s) 1150 1100 1050 1000 950 0 10 Dp 20 30 Linear CG
Figure 5: Particle Size Effect on Two-Phase Flow Damping.
The results show that the overall tendencies are correctly obtained over a large range of model parameter settings. Surprisingly it is found that the 2D results do not depend on the grid spatial resolution and that the details of the so-called acoustic boundary layer (ABL) do not need to be resolved. This finding is also true for the two-phase flow damping. Analysis of the computed 2D acoustic field show that the ABL displacement effect is an effective damping source (even for an ABL penetrating into the core of the flow) and that an extra damping exists which is not incorporated into the classical acoustic balance.
Cold Flows
Since the internal flows in a solid-propellant rocket motor are difficult to instrument, cold flow experimental simulations are an alternative tool for a detailed aerodynamic effects understanding
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Numerical Modeling of Internal Flow Aerodynamics Part 2: Unsteady Flows (see Gury et al [18]). The three different instability behaviours can be obtained. If absolute instabilities can be naturally computed by solving the Navier-Stokes equations, the surface vortex-shedding instability, as a convective instability, is more complex to obtain. Ugurtas [10] injects a gaussian noise with an amplitude of 0.4% vinj to simulate the VECLA experiments. Apte and Yang [11] forces the head end with a pressure oscillation equal to 5% of the head-end mean pressure at imposed acoustic frequencies in order to analyse unsteady flow organisation in Hervat and Traineau [12] cold flow simulation of a nozzleless rocket motor.
Figure 6: Eddy Motions in the Forced Acoustic Environment [11].
Validation on Simplified Rocket Motors

Dupays [13] developed a whistling motor (small and naturally unstable, based on VSA instability). He studied the effect of inert particulate phase in the propellant on the instabilities (vortex-shedding) by adding alumina or zirconium silicate particles in a AP/HTPB propellant. Different sizes and loading were used. Pressure oscillations were identified on all the firings, with some burst corresponding to selfsustained phenomena. Experimental results are well reproduced by computations. When studying the particulate loading effect, with 5, 10 and 20 % of condensed phase, he noticed a curious effect: oscillations levels are larger with 10 % loading than 5 %, whereas 20 % loading damps out all the signal. These results are in contradiction with linear theory, and are not explained until now (particles/eddies interactions?).
Figure 7: Comparison between Experiments and Computations (Dupays [13]).
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RECENT IMPROVEMENTS
Full Motor Firing Simulation
The main project actually in the world leading to the detailed full numerical simulation of a SRM is the CSAR project at UIUC [14], and when GEN2 family codes (the last generation) will be operational, a large step in prediction will have been done. SNPE developed the CPS and MOPTI computer codes for CFD computations inside SRM. CPS solves the two and three dimensional compressible unsteady Navier-Stokes equations for turbulent, reactive, multi-species, two-phase flows with a cell-centered finite volume method on an unstructured mesh with triangular and quadrilateral control cells in 2D and with hexahedrons, pentahedrons, pyramids, prisms and tetrahedrons in 3D. It incorporates fluid-structure coupling facility, and is parallel. MOPTI manages exchanges between two principal computational modules: A varying burning rate surface burnback module, CFD code CPS.
MOPTI has been precisely described in reference [1]. The global structure of MOPTI is presented on Figure 8.
Combustion Chamber geometry Automatic mesh generation
Manufactoring Process
Surface Burnback
Burning Rate
Pressure Field
2d Aerodynamical computation
Performance Prevision
Figure 8: Structure of MOPTI.
A MOPTI simulation of the Ariane 5 1/15 subscale motor (LP6) is given [15]. On Figure 9 numerical vorticity fields are presented. They show that the flow becomes unstable after t5s. Before this time, the pressure signal is stable.
t=5s
t=6s
t=7s
Figure 9: Numerical Vorticity Fields.
t=8s
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Numerical Modeling of Internal Flow Aerodynamics Part 2: Unsteady Flows Those figures show a very good agreement between numerical and experimental results. The first oscillations occur after t5s. A first waterfall on the first longitudinal acoustic mode is observed between 5 an 6.5s. The levels are stronger on computational results but the global form is similar. The principal waterfall occurs between 6.5 and 8s, and a last one in the combustion tail off between 8 and 10s. For both waterfalls the numerical and experimental results are in really good agreement. The same comparison may be done on the second acoustic mode.
10 9 8 7
10 9 8 7
Time (s)
6 5 4 3 2 1 0 0
Time (s)
Simulation
200 400 600 800 1000
6 5 4 3 2 1 0 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400
Experience
Frequency (Hz)
Frequency (Hz)
Figure 10: PSD Contours Comparison of Experimental and Computational Results.
Fluid-Structure Coupling
In segmented motors with inhibited faces, a strong effect of the static bending of the emerging thermal inhibitors on pressure oscillation levels has been observed [16]. In order to investigate the influence of the dynamic behavior of the thermal inhibitor, CPS fluid-structure coupling facility has been used [17].
Figure 11: Deformed Shape of the Inhibitor at Different Times in the FSC Computation.
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Numerical Modeling of Internal Flow Aerodynamics Part 2: Unsteady Flows This computation is noted FSC. Unsteady pressure signal and its Fourier analysis is given in Figure 12. A strong influence of this phenomenon is found in this configuration since the fluctuation levels reach 3.5 times configuration without FSC.
Static inhibitor
Fluid structure coupling
Figure 12: Head End Pressure Signal and its Fourier Transform.
This influence needs to be investigated in details. That could be done through cold flow experiments [18]. Effects of Aluminum Combustion It is believed that aluminum distributed combustion and alumina droplets behavior might affect pressure oscillations of AP/Al propellant SRM, releasing heat inside the core of the flow. Such an eventuality has been assessed by using two-phase flow capabilities first at ONERA [15], then at SNPE [19]. A simplified combustion model has been used.
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Numerical Modeling of Internal Flow Aerodynamics Part 2: Unsteady Flows In these computations, Figure 13, particle distribution clearly displays vortex shedding and shows that momentum of particles are too large for their coming into vortex cores. The temperature map exhibits that combustion takes place very close to the surface and that some particles burn while passing round the vortices. Figure 14 presents pressure signals at the head end compared to the single phase computation in time and frequency space. It clearly points out a periodic signal and levels more than 4 times higher that those obtained with single phase computations.
Particle volume fraction Aluminum mass fraction

5 4 3 2 1
ALPP: 0.00000
0.00001
0.00001
0.00002
0.00003
0.00003
0.00004
0.00004
0.00005
0.00006
0 -1 -2 -3 -4 10
20
G as temperature
5 4 3 2
TEMP: 3250
3261
3272
3282
3293
3304
3315
3326
3337
3347
3358
3369
3380
1 0 -1 -2 -3 -4 10
20
Figure 13: Particle Volume Fraction (up) and Gas Temperature (down).
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Bended inhibitor
Al Combustion
Figure 14: Head End Pressure Signal and its Fourier Transform.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
Ten years after Kuentzmann [20] AGARD Lecture Series on combustion instabilities, we can measure the progress made in the numerical simulations of aerodynamic/acoustics coupling in SRM. This fantastic progress is due to two reasons. The first one is the continuously increasing performance of computers, giving scientists and engineers the opportunities for continuously increasing the accuracy of both numerical and physical models. But computer codes are nothing without validated models. The second reason has been the support of research programs in the US and France (ASSM and POP CNES programs for the French part).
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Numerical Modeling of Internal Flow Aerodynamics Part 2: Unsteady Flows During these ten years, numerical computation has gone from an academic research topic to an industrial powerful tool. And this was the second challenge for driving progress in SRM conception.
REFERENCES
[1] [2] [3] P. Le Breton, D. Ribreau and F. Godfroy. SRM Performance Analysis by Coupling Bidimensional Surface Burnback and Pressure Field Computations, AIAA 98-3968, July 1998. D. Ribreau, J.-F. Guery and P. Le Breton, Numerical Simulation of Thrust Oscillations of Ariane 5 Solid Rocket Boosters, Space Solid Propulsion, November 2000. N. Lupoglazoff and F. Vuillot, Parietal Vortex Shedding as a Cause of Instability for Long Solid Propellant Motors. Numerical Simulations and Comparisons with Firing Tests, AIAA 96-0761, January 1996. J.F. Gury, Numerical Modeling of Internal Flow Aerodynamics, RTO-AVT-VKI Special Course, Internal Aerodynamics in Solid Rocket Propulsion, May 2002. C.K. Law, A Simplified Theoretical Model for the Vapor-Phase Combustion of Metals Particles, Combustion Science and Technology, Vol. 7, N 3-6, 1973. V. Morfouace and P.Y. Tissier, Two-Phase Flow Analysis of Instabilities Driven by VortexShedding in Solid Rocket Motors, AIAA 95-2733, July 1995. F.E.C. Culick, Combustion Instability in Solid Rocket Motors, CPIA Publication 290, January 1981. S. Temkin and R.A. Dobbins, Attenuation and Dispersion of Sound by Particulate-Relaxation Processes, J. of the Acoustical Society of America, Vol. 40, N 2, 1966. F. Vuillot, J. Dupays, N. Lupoglazoff, Th. Basset and E. Daniel, 2D Navier-Stokes Stability Computations for Solid Rocket Motors: Rotational, Combustion and Two-Phase Flow Effects, AIAA 97-3326, July 1997.
[4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]
[10] B. Ugurtas, G. Avalon, N. Lupoglazoff, F. Vuillot and G. Casalis, Stability and Acoustic Resonance of Internal Flows Generated by Side Injection, in Solid Propellant Chemistry, Combustion and Motor Interior Ballistics, Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics, Vol. 185, 2000. [11] S. Apte and V. Yang, Simulated Nozzleless Rocket Motor, in Solid Propellant Chemistry, Combustion and Motor Interior Ballistics, Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics, Vol. 185, 2000. [12] J.C. Traineau, P. Hervat and P. Kuentzmann, Cold Flow Simulation of a Two-Dimensional Nozzleless Solid Rocket Motor, AIAA 86-1447, June 1986. [13] J. Dupays, Y. Fabignon, P. Villedieu, G. Lavergne and J.L. Estivalezes, Some Aspects of TwoPhase Flows in Solid Propellant Rocket Motors, in Solid Propellant Chemistry, Combustion and Motor Interior Ballistics, Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics, Vol. 185, 2000. [14] W.A. Dick, M.T. Heath and R.A. Fiedler, Integrated 3D Simulations of Solid Propellant Rockets, AIAA 2001-3949, July 2001. [15] P. Le Breton, J.F. Gury, F. Vuillot and M. Prevost, Recent Advances in the Prediction of SRM Thrust Oscillations, Colloque Vibration des Lanceurs, Toulouse, November 1999.
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Numerical Modeling of Internal Flow Aerodynamics Part 2: Unsteady Flows [16] J.C. Traineau, M. Prvost, F. Vuillot, P. Le Breton, J. Cuny and N. Preioni, A Subscale Test Program to Assess the Vortex Shedding Driven Instabilities in Segmented Solid Rocket Motors, AIAA-973247, July 1997. [17] P. Della Pieta et al, Numerical Simulations of Some Fluid-Structure Interaction Phenomena Found in Solid Rocket Motors, paper to be submitted for publication to the Journal of Propulsion and Power. [18] J.F. Gury, F. Vuillot, G. Avalon, F. Plourde, J. Anthoine and B. Platet, Use of Cold Flow Experiment in the ASSM Program: Lessons and Results Space Solid Propulsion, Rome, November 2000. [19] J.F. Gury, S. Gallier, P. Della Pieta, F. Godfroy, A. Guichard, P. LeBreton and D. Ribreau, Numerical Simulation of Thrust Oscillations of Segmented AP/Al Solid Rocket Motors, IAF-01-S.2.05, October 2001. [20] P. Kuentzmann, Combustion Instabilities, AGARD-LS-180, 1991.
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COMBUSTION INSTABILITIES IN SOLID PROPELLANT ROCKET MOTORS

F.E.C. Culick
California Institute of Technology 1200 E. California Blvd., MC 205-45 Pasadena, CA 91125, U.S.A.
Notes for Two Lectures given as part of the Special Course \Internal Aerodynamcis in Solid Rocket Propulsion" von Krmn Institute a a 27{31 May 2002
This work was supported in part by the California Institute of Technology; partly by the Caltech Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative under Grant No. N00014-95-1-1338 (Dr. Judah Goldwasser, Program Manager); partly by the Department of Energy Advanced Gas Turbine Systems Research (AGTSR) Program under Subcontract No. 98-02-SR072 (Dr. Daniel Fant & Dr. Larry Golan, Program Managers); partly by ENEL, Pisa, Italy (Dr. Giancarlo Benelli, Program Manager); and partly by the Air Force Oce of Scientic Research (AFOSR) under Grant No. F49620-99-1-0118 (Dr. Mitat Birkan, Program Manager).
c Copyright 2002 by F.E.C. Culick All Rights Reserved

Paper presented at the RTO/VKI Special Course on Internal Aerodynamics in Solid Rocket Propulsion, held in Rhode-Saint-Gense, Belgium, 27-31 May 2002, and published in RTO-EN-023. RTO-EN-023 11 - i
Combustion Instabilities in Solid Propellant Rocket Motors
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Contents
ABSTRACT 1. A BRIEF SURVEY OF COMBUSTION INSTABILITIES IN SOLID ROCKETS 1.1. Introduction 1.2. Historical Background 1.3. Solid Propellant Rocket Motors 1.4. Mechanisms of Combustion Instabilities 1.5. Physical Characteristics of Combustion Instabilities 1.6. Linear Behavior 1.6.1. Gains and Losses of Acoustic Energy; Linear Stability 1.7. Nonlinear Behavior 1.7.1. Linear Behavior Interpreted as the Motion of a Simple Oscillator 1.7.2. Nonlinear Behavior Interpreted as the Motion of a Nonlinear Oscillator 1.8. Analysis and Numerical Simulations of Combustion Instabilities 2. MECHANISMS OF COMBUSTION INSTABILITIES IN SOLID PROPELLANT ROCKETS 2.1. Qualitative Interpretation of the Basic Mechanism 2.2. Analysis of the QSHOD Model 2.3. Measurements of the Response Function; Comparison of Experimental Results and the QSHOD Model 2.4. The Zel'dovich-Novozhilov (Z-N) Model 2.5. Revisions and Extensions of the QSHOD Model 2.5.1. Additional Dynamics in the Condensed Phase 2.5.2. Additional Dynamics in the Gas Phase 2.6. Modeling the Eects of Velocity Coupling on the Global Dynamics of Combustion Chambers 2.6.1. The Model Framework 2.6.2. Models of the Surface Layer 1 1 2 5 6 8 9 12 14 18 19 21 24 27 27 31 39 40 42 42 42 42 43 44
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CONTENTS
2.6.3. Models of the Gas Phase 2.6.4. Some Results for the Combustion Response Function 2.7. Velocity Coupling, the Combustion Response, and Global Dynamics 2.8. Generation of Vorticity and Vortex Shedding 2.8.1. Generation of Vorticity 2.8.2. Shedding of Large Scale Vortices 2.9. Distributed Combustion 3. EQUATIONS FOR UNSTEADY MOTIONS IN COMBUSTION CHAMBERS 3.1. Modes of Wave Motion in a Compressible Medium 3.2. Equations of Motion for a Reacting Flow 3.3. Two-Parameter Expansion of the Equations of Motion 3.3.1. Expansion in Mean and Fluctuating Values 3.3.2. Equations for the Mean Flow 3.3.3. Systems of Equations for the Fluctuations 3.4. Nonlinear Wave Equations for the Pressure Field 4. MODAL EXPANSION AND SPATIAL AVERAGING; AN ITERATIVE METHOD OF SOLUTION 4.1. Application of a Green's Function for Steady Waves 4.1.1. Approximate Solution by Iteration 4.2. An Alternative Derivation of the First Order Formula 4.3. Approximate Solution for Unsteady Nonlinear Motions 4.4. Application of Time-Averaging 4.5. The Procedure for Iterative Solution 4.5.1. Linear Energy Transfer Between the Mean and Fluctuating Motions 4.5.2. Energy Transfer Between Modes; Nonlinear Mode Coupling 4.5.3. Zeroth and First Order Solutions to the Oscillator Equation 5. SOME FUNDAMENTALS OF ACOUSTICS 5.1. The Linearized Equations of Motion; The Velocity Potential 5.1.1. The Velocity Potential 5.2. Energy and Intensity Associated with Acoustic Waves 5.3. The Growth or Decay Constant
45 45 46 53 54 54 57 59 59 59 61 62 64 65 67 71 71 75 76 76 79 82 83 86 86 89 89 91 92 93
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CONTENTS
5.4. Boundary Conditions: Reections from a Surface 5.4.1. Reections of Plane Waves at a Surface 5.5. Wave Propagation in Tubes; Normal Modes 5.5.1. Waves in Tubes 5.5.2. Normal Modes for Tubes Having Discontinuities of Cross-Sectional Area 5.6. Normal Acoustic Modes and Frequencies for a Chamber 5.6.1. Normal Modes for Rectangular Chambers 5.6.2. Normal Modes for a Circular Cylindrical Chamber 6. LINEAR STABILITY OF COMBUSTOR DYNAMICS 6.1. Solution for the Problem of Linear Stability 6.2. An Alternative Calculation of Linear Stability 6.3. An Example: Linear Stability with Distributed Sources of Heat and Motion of the Boundary 6.4. Rayleigh's Criterion and Linear Stability 6.5. Explicit Formulas For Linear Stability 6.5.1. Linear Stability in Three Dimensions 7. NONLINEAR BEHAVIOR 7.1. The Two-Mode Approximation 7.2. Application of a Continuation Method 7.3. Hysteresis and Control of Combustion Instabilities 7.4. Representing Noise in Analysis of Combustor Dynamics 7.5. System Identication for Combustor Dynamics with Noise 8. PASSIVE CONTROL OF COMBUSTION INSTABILITIES A. EQUATIONS OF MOTION A.1. General Equations of Motion A.2. Expansions in Mean and Fluctuating Variables B. THE EQUATIONS FOR ONE-DIMENSIONAL UNSTEADY MOTIONS B.1. Equations for Unsteady One-Dimensional Motions REFERENCES ATTACHMENT | AIAA-2002-3592 N. Ananthkrishnan, Shardul Deo, F.E.C. Culick
94 95 97 97 99 100 101 102 105 105 106 107 109 111 111 117 117 122 124 126 128 133 135 135 137 139 140 141
157
RTO-EN-023
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CONTENTS
Abstract 1. Introduction 2. Coupled Oscillator Equations 2.1. Energy Transfer 2.2. Modal Truncation 3. Triggered Limit Cycles 4. Velocity Coupling Models 5. Conclusions 6. Acknowledgments Bibliography
1 1 3 4 5 6 8 11 11 13
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COMBUSTION INSTABILITIES IN SOLID PROPELLANT ROCKET MOTORS

F.E.C. Culick California Institute of Technology 1200 E. California Blvd., MC 205-45 Pasadena, CA 91125, U.S.A.
ABSTRACT These notes for two lectures are intended to provide the basic ideas for understanding and interpreting coherent oscillations is solid propellant rocket motors. The discussion is concerned mainly with the dynamics of a system consisting of two coupled sub-systems: the chamber containing combustion products; and the combustion processes conned almost entirely to a thin region adjacent to the surface of burning propellant. Coupling between the sub-systems is always present due to the sensitivity of the ocmbustion processes to local values of pressure and velocity. Thus the primary mechanisms for instabilities in solid rockets are related to those interactions. A second mechanism involves vortex shedding, a cause of instabilities mainly in large motors, notably the Space Shuttle and Ariene V boost motors. Following a brief review of the history of combustion instabilities in solid rockets, the mechanisms and their quantitative representations are discussed. The remainder of the lectures is devoted to an approximate analysis providing a general framework convenient for understanding, predicting and interpreting combustion instabilities. 1. A BRIEF SURVEY OF COMBUSTION INSTABILITIES IN SOLID ROCKETS Chemical propulsion systems depend fundamentally on the conversion of energy stored in molecular bonds to mechanical energy of a vehicle in motion. The rst stage of the process, combustion of oxidizer and fuel, takes place in a vessel open only to admit reactants and to exhaust the hot products. Higher performance is achieved by increasing the rate of energy release per unit volume. For example, the power density in the Atlas engine (1950s) was 146.4 gigawatts/m3 . The power densities in solid rockets are much less. For a cylindrical bore, the values are approximately 0.25(r=D) gigawatts/m3 , where r is the linear burning rate, typically a few centimeters per second, and D is the diameter. Thus the power densities rarely exceed one gigawatt/m3 . These are indeed very large power densities. We cannot be surprised that such enormous power densities should be accompanied by relatively small uctuations whose amplitudes may be merely annoying or possibly unacceptable in the worst cases. We are concerned in these lectures with the dynamics of combustion systems using solid propellants. The motivation for addressing the subject arises from particular problems of combustion instabilities observed in all types of solid rockets. Typically the instabilities are observed as pressure oscillations growing spontaneously out of the noise during a ring. As a practical matter, combustion instabilities are more likely encountered during development of new combustion systems intended to possess considerable increases of performance in some sense. The present state of theory and experiment has not provided a suciently strong foundation to provide a complete basis for prediction. Hence there are only a few guidelines available to help designers avoid combustion instabilities. In that respect, more is known about the dynamical behavior of solid rockets than about corresponding problems in other propulsion systems. Under such conditions, it is extremely important to pay attention to the experience gained in the laboratory as well as in full-scale tests of devices: theory alone is quite helpless because of the impossibility of obtaining quantitative results solely from rst principles. Moreover, because of the many properties of the behavior common to the various systems, much is to be gained from understanding the characteristics of systems other than the one that may be of immediate concern. It is therefore proper to begin with a survey of some typical examples drawn from many years' experience. Theory is an indispensable aid to making sense of observational results. Conversely, discussion of various experimental observations is a natural place to introduce many of the basic ideas contained in the theory.
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From the beginning of this subject, the central practical question has been: What must be done to eliminate combustion instabilities? Traditionally, the approach taken has been based on passive measures, largely ad hoc design changes or notably for solid propellant rockets, favorable changes of propellant composition. During the past few years, considerable eort has been expended on the problem of applying active feedback control to combustion systems. It's an attractive proposition to control or eliminate instabilities with feedback control, particularly because one implication, often made explicit, is that the use of feedback will somehow allow one to get around the dicult problems of understanding the details of the system's behavior. Many laboratory, and several full-scale demonstrations with gas turbines support that point of view. Proposals have been made for active control of solid rockets but there seem to be no successful demonstrations. In any case, for at least two reasons, serious application of feedback control must be based on understanding the dynamics of the system to be controlled: (i) all experience in the eld of feedback control generally has demonstrated that the better the controlled plant is understood, the more eective is the control; (ii) without understanding, development of a control system for a full-scale device is an ad hoc matter, likely to involve expensive development with neither guarantee of success nor assurance that the best possible system has been designed. Consequently, whatever one's motivation for investigating combustion instabilities, it is essential to have a good understanding of experiences with as many systems as possible. Therefore we begin this book with a lengthy survey of combustion instabilities observed in various systems. The theoretical framework is constructed to accommodate these observations, but later emerges also as a perfect vehicle for investigating the use of active feedback control. 1.1. Introduction. For the kinds of propulsion systems normally used, combustion chambers are intended to operate under conditions that are steady or vary little. The central questions addressed in the monograph concern the stability and behavior subsequent to instability of steady states in combustors. If a state is unstable to small disturbances, then an oscillatory motion usually ensues. Such combustion instabilities commonly exhibit well-dened frequencies ranging from 15 hz or less to many kilohertz. Even at the highest amplitudes observed in practice, the instabilities consume only a small fraction of the available chemical energy. Thus, except in extremely severe instances, the oscillations do not normally aect the mean thrust or steady power produced by the systems. Serious problems may nevertheless arise due to structural vibrations generated by oscillatory pressures within the chamber or by uctuations of the thrust. In extreme cases, internal surface heat transfer rates may be amplied ten-fold or more, causing excessive erosion of the chamber walls. An observer perceives an unstable motion in a combustion chamber as \self-excited," a consequence of the internal coupling between combustion processes and unsteady motion. Except in cases of large disturbances (e.g. due to passage of a nite mass of solid material through the nozzle), the amplitude of the motion normally seems to grow out of the noise without the intrusion of an external inuence. Two fundamental reasons explain the prevalence of instabilities in combustion systems: (i) an exceedingly small part of the available energy is sucient to produce unacceptably large unsteady motions; (ii) the processes tending to attenuate unsteady motions are weak, chiey because combustion chambers are nearly closed. These two characteristics are common to all combustion chambers and imply that the possibility of instabilities occurring during development of a new device must always be recognized and anticipated. Treating combustion instabilities is part of the price to be paid for high-performance chemical propulsion systems. It is a corollary of that condition that the problem will never be totally eliminated. Advances in research will strengthen the methods for solution in practical applications, and will provide guidelines to help in the design process. The fact that only a small part of the total power produced in a combustor is involved in combustion instabilities suggests that their existence and severity may be sensitive to apparently minor changes in the system. That
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conclusion is conrmed by experience. Moreover, the complicated chemical and ow processes block construction of a complete theory from rst principles. It is therefore essential that theoretical work always be closely allied with experimental results, and vice versa. No single analysis will encompass all possible instabilities in the various practical systems. There are nevertheless many features common to all combustion chambers. Indeed, it is one theme of this book that the characteristics shared by propulsion systems in many respects dominate the dierences. While it is not possible to predict accurately the occurrence or details of instabilities, a framework does exist for understanding their general behavior, and for formulating statements summarizing their chief characteristics. For practical purposes, the theory often serves most successfully when used to analyze, understand, and predict trends of behavior, thereby also providing the basis for desirable changes in design. Experimental data are always required to produce quantitative results and their accuracy in turn is limited by uncertainties in the data. Special problems may be caused by combustion instabilities interacting with the vehicle. Because the frequencies are usually well-dened in broad ranges, resonances with structural modes of the vehicle or with motions of components are common. Perhaps the best known form of this sort of oscillation is the POGO instability in liquid rockets. Strong couplings between chamber pressure oscillations, low-frequency structural vibrations, and the propellant feed system sustain oscillations. The amplitudes may grow to unacceptable limits unless measures are taken to introduce additional damping. A striking example occurred in the Apollo vehicle. The central engine of the cluster of ve in the rst stage was routinely shut o earlier than the others in order to prevent growth of POGO oscillations to amplitudes such that the astronauts would be unable to read instruments. Comments on the vibrations and the early shut o may be heard in communications recorded during the launch phase of several Apollo missions. In the U.S., and possibly in other countries, notably Germany and Russia before and during World War II, combustion instabilities were rst observed in solid and liquid propellant rocket engines. Subsequent to the war, considerable eort was expanded in Russia and in the U.S. to solve the problem, particularly in large liquid systems. Probably the most expensive program was carried out during development of the F-1 engine for the Apollo vehicle (Ofelein and Yang, 1993). Liquid-fueled, air-breathing propulsion systems also commonly suer combustion instabilities. Axial oscillations in ramjet engines are troublesome because their inuence on the shock system in the inlet diuser can reduce the inlet stability margin. Owing to their high power densities and light construction, thrust augmenters or afterburners are particularly susceptible to structural failures. For any afterburner, conditions can be found under which steady operation is not possible. As a result, the operating envelope is restricted by the requirement that combustion instabilities cannot be tolerated. Due to structural constraints placed on the hardware, combustion instabilities in afterburners are particularly undesirable and are therefore expensive to treat. In recent years combustion instabilities in the main combustor of gas turbines have become increasingly troublesome. The chief reason is ultimately due to requirements that emission of pollutants, notably oxides of nitrogen, be reduced. A necessary strategy, particularly for applications to ight, is reduction of the average temperature at which combustion takes place. Generation of N O by the thermal or `Zel'dovich' mechanism is then reduced. Lower combustion temperature may be achieved by operating under lean conditions, when the ame stabilization processes tend to be unstable. Fluctuations of the ame cause uctuations of energy release, which in turn may produce uctuations of pressure, exciting acoustical motions in the chamber and aecting the generation of nitrogen oxides. Finally, almost all solid rockets exhibit instabilities, at least during development, and occasionally motors are approved even with low levels of oscillations. Actual failure of a motor itself is rare in operations, but vibrations of the supporting structure and of the payload must always be considered. To accept the presence of weak instabilities in an operational system one must have sucient understanding and condence that the amplitudes will not unexpectedly grow to unacceptable levels. One purpose of these lectures is to provide an introduction to the foundation for gaining the necessary understanding. In the most general sense, a combustion instability may be regarded as an unsteady motion of a dynamical system capable of sustaining oscillations over a broad range of frequencies. The source of energy associated
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with the motions is ultimately related to the combustion processes, but the term `combustion instability,' while descriptive, is misleading. In most instances, and always for the practical problems we discuss in this book, the combustion processes themselves are stable: uncontrolled explosions and other intrinsic chemical instabilities are not an issue. Observations of the gas pressure or of accelerations of the enclosure establish the presence of an instability in a combustion chamber. Excitation and sustenance of oscillations occur because coupling exists between the combustion processes and the gasdynamical motions, both of which may be stable. What is unstable is the entire system comprising the propellants, the propellant supply system, the combustion products that form the medium supporting the unsteady motions, and the containing structure. If the amplitude of the motions is small, the vibrations within the chamber are usually related to classical acoustic behavior possible in the absence of combustion and mean ow. The geometry of the chamber is therefore a dominant inuence. Corresponding to classical results, traveling and standing waves are found at frequencies approximated quite well by familiar formulas depending only on the speed of sound and the dimensions of the chamber. If we ignore any particular inuences of geometry, we may describe the situation generally in the following way, a view valid for any combustion instability irrespective of the geometry or the type of reactants. Combustion processes are generally sensitive to uctuations of pressure, density, and temperature of the environment. A uctuation of burning produces local changes in the properties of the ow. Those uctuations propagate in the medium and join with the global unsteady eld in the chamber. Under favorable conditions, the eld develops to a state observable as a combustion instability. As illustrated schematically in Figure 1.1, we may view the process abstractly in analogy to a feedback amplier in which addition of feedback to a stable oscillator can produce oscillations. Here the oscillator is the combustion chamber, or more precisely, the medium within the chamber that supports the unsteady wave motions. Feedback is associated with the inuences of the unsteady motions on the combustion processes or on the supply system, which in turn generate uctuations of the eld variables. The dynamical response of the medium converts the local uctuations to global behavior. In the language of control theory, the eld in the chamber is the `plant,' described by the general equations of motion.
Figure 1.1. Schematic Diagram of a Combustion System as a Feedback Amplier The diagram in Figure 1.1 illustrates the global point of view taken here. Broadly, the subjects covered divide into two categories: those associated with the plant|the uid mechanics and other physical processes comprising the combustor dynamics; and those connected primarily with the feedback path, chiey combustion processes and their sensitivity to time-dependent changes in the environment, the combustion dynamics. Splitting is particularly clear for solid rockets because practically all of the combustion processes are completed in a thin region adjacent to the burning propellant. The theory we will describe encompasses all types of combustion instabilities in a general framework having the organization suggested by the sketch. External forcing functions are accommodated as shown in the sketch, but the causes associated with the feedback path are far more signicant in practice. Figure 1.1 is motivated by more than a convenient analogy. For practical purposes in combustion systems, we generally wish to eliminate instabilities. Traditionally that has meant designing systems so that small disturbances are stable, or adding some form of energy dissipation to compensate the energy gained from the combustion processes, that is, passive control. However, in the past few years interest has grown in the possibility of active control of instabilities. If that idea is to be realized successfully, it will be necessary to combine modern control theory with the sort of theory described here. It is advantageous to think from the beginning in terms that encourage this merger of traditionally distinct disciplines.
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We will return to the subject of passive control for solid rockets at the end of these lectures. Any method of control is rendered more eective the more rmly it rests on understanding the problem to be solved. Understanding a problem of combustion instabilities always requires a combination of experiment and theory. For many reasons, including intrinsic complexities and inevitable uncertainties in basic information (e.g., material properties, chemical dynamics, turbulent behavior of the ow eld, ...), it is impossible to predict from rst principles the stability and nonlinear behavior of combustion systems. Hence the purpose of theory is to provide a framework for interpreting observations, both in the laboratory and full-scale devices; to suggest experiments to produce required ancillary data or to improve the empirical base for understanding; to formulate guidelines for designing full-scale systems; and globally to serve, like any good theory, as the vehicle for understanding the fundamental principles governing the physical behavior, thereby having predictive value as well. All theoretical work in this eld has been carried out in response to observational and experimental results. We therefore spend much of the remainder of this introductory chapter on a survey of the characteristics of combustion instabilities observed, and occasionally idealized, for combustion systems generally to be analyzed in later chapters. The general point of view taken throughout the book will then be formulated in heuristic fashion, based on experimental results. 1.2. Historical Background. Some of the consequences and symptoms of combustion instabilities were rst observed in the late 1930s and early 1940s, roughly at the same time for liquid and solid propellant rockets, and apparently somewhat earlier in the Soviet Union than in the U.S. With the later development of turbojet engines, high-frequency instabilities were found in thrust augmenters or afterburners in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Although the problem had been encountered in ramjet engines in the 1950s, it became a matter of greater concern in the late 1970s and 1980s. The introduction of compact dump combustors led to the appearance of longitudinal or axial oscillations that interfered with the inlet shock system, causing loss of pressure margin and 'unstart' in the most severe cases. Owing to availability, almost all of the data cited here as examples will be derived from liquid rockets, solid rockets and laboratory devices. Figure 1.2 is a qualitative representation of the chronology of combustion instabilities. Due to the accessibility of documentation and the experiences of the author, particular cases cited are mainly those reported in the U.S.
1940 1950 1960 1970 APOLLO (LIQUID) 1980 AFTERBURNERS & RAMJETS ( LOW f ) ARIANE VIKING (LIQUID) 1990 2000
LIQUID AFTERBURNERS & & SOLID RAMJETS ROCKETS ( HIGH f ) POLARIS (SOLID)
GAS TURBINES ( LOW F/O ) ( HIGH f )
MINUTEMAN (SOLID)
LOW SMOKE AND SMOKELESS TACTICAL MOTORS LABORATORY TESTS LINEAR THEORY NONLINEAR THEORY ACTIVE CONTROL
Figure 1.2. A Chronology of Combustion Instabilities Several reviews of early experiences with combustion instabilities have been prepared for liquid rockets (Ross and Datner 1954) and for solid rockets (Wimpress 1950; Price 1968; Price and Flandro 1992). The details are not important here, but the lessons learned certainly are. Often forgotten is the most important requirement of good high-frequency instrumentation to identify and understand combustion instabilities in full-scale as well as in laboratory systems. Until the early 1940s, transducers and instrumentation for measuring pressure had inadequate dynamic response to give accurate results for unsteady motions. Ross and Datner note that \Prior to 1943,
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the resolution of Bourdon gauges, photographed at 64 and 128 fps, constituted the principal instrumentation." Recording oscillographs were introduced sometime in 1943, but not until the late 1940s were transducers available with sucient bandwidth to identify instabilities at higher frequencies (hundreds of hertz and higher). The situation was even more dicult with solid rockets because of the practical diculties of installing and cooling pressure transducers. Probably the experience with cooling chamber and nozzle walls helps explain why quantitative results were obtained for instabilities in liquid rockets earlier than for solid rockets (E. W. Price, private communication). Prior to the appearance of high-frequency instrumentation, the existence of oscillations was inferred from such averaged symptoms as excessive erosion of inert surfaces or propellant grains due to increased heat transfer rates; erratic burning appearing as unexpected shifts in the mean pressure; structural vibrations; visible uctuations in the exhaust plume; and, on some occasions, audible changes in the noise produced during a ring. Experimental work progressed for several years before various unexplained anomalies in test rings were unambiguously associated with oscillations. By the late 1940s, there was apparently general agreement among researchers in the U.S. and Europe that combustion instabilities were commonly present in rocket motors and that they were somehow related to waves in the gaseous combustion products. In addition to measurements with accelerometers, strain gauges, and pressure transducers, methods for ow visualization soon demonstrated their value, mainly for studies of liquid propellant rockets (Altseimer 1950; Berman and Logan 1952; and Berman and Scharres 1953). Characteristics of the instabilities as acoustic vibrations, or weak shock waves, were revealed. It is much more dicult to observe the ow eld in a solid rocket motor and during the early years of development, the only results comparable to those for liquid rockets were obtained when excessive chamber pressures caused structural failures. Partially burned grains often showed evidence of increased local burning rates, suggesting (possibly) some sort of inuence of the gas ow. The same events also produced indications of unusual heating of the unburned solid propellant, attributed to dissipation of mechanical vibrational energy (Price and Flandro, 1992). Subsequently that interpretation was conrmed by direct measurements (Shuey, 1987). High-frequency or `screech' oscillations were also rst encountered in afterburners in the late 1940s; as a result of the experience with rockets and the availability of suitable instrumentation, the vibrations were quickly identied as combustion instabilities. The sta of the Lewis Laboratory (1954) compiled most of the existing data and performed tests to provide a basis for guidelines for design. Thus by the early 1950s most of the basic characteristics of combustion instabilities had been discovered in both liquid-fueled and solid-fueled systems. Many of the connections with acoustical properties of the systems, including possible generation of shock waves, were recognized qualitatively. Although the frequencies of oscillations found in tests could sometimes be estimated fairly closely with results of classical acoustics, no real theory having useful predictive value existed. During the 1950s and the 1960s the use of sub-scale and laboratory tests grew and became increasingly important as an aid to solving problems of combustion instabilities occurring in the development of new combustion systems. 1.3. Solid Propellant Rocket Motors. Since the late 1950s, serious concern with instabilities in solid propellant motors has been sustained by problems arising in both small (tactical) and large (strategic and large launch systems) rockets. The volume of collected papers compiled and edited by Berle (1960) provides a good view of the state of the eld at the end of the 1950's in the Western countries. The level of activity remained high and roughly unchanged through the 1960's, due entirely to the demands of the Cold War: the use of solid rocket boosters in systems for launching spacecraft, and for changing trajectories, came later. During the 1950's and 1960's strong emphasis was already placed on sub-scale and laboratory tests, a strategy dictated at least partly by the large costs of full-scale tests. As a result, more is understood about combustion instabilities in solid rockets than in other systems. Moreover, methods and viewpoints developed by the solid rocket community have strongly inuenced the approaches to treating combustion instabilities in other systems. The theory developed in this book is an example of that trend. A problem with the third stage of the Minuteman II launch vehicle in the late 1960's (Joint Prop. Mtg 1972) initially motivated considerable research activity during the following decade, sponsored largely by the Air Force Rocket Propulsion Laboratory. The causes of three failures in test ights had been traced to the presence of
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combustion instabilities. Thorough investigation showed that although oscillations had been present throughout the history of the motor, a signicant change occurred during production, apparently associated with propellant Lot 10. Figure 1.3 shows the main observable features.
(a)
(b) Figure 1.3. Frequencies and Amplitudes of Combustion Instabilities in the Minuteman II, Stage 3 Motor: (a) A Pressure Record from a Flight Test; (b) Frequencies and Amplitudes Measured During Static Tests. The oscillations existed during the rst fteen seconds of every ring and always had frequency around 500 Hertz. Whatever occurred with production Lot 10 caused the maximum amplitudes of oscillations to be unpredictably larger in motors containing propellant from that and subsequent lots. The associated structural vibrations caused failures of a component in the thrust control system. This example exhibits several characteristics common to many instances of combustion instabilities in solid rockets. In test-to-test comparisons, frequencies are reproducible and amplitudes show only slight variations unless some change occurs in the motor. Any changes must be of two sorts: either geometrical, i.e. the internal shape of the grain, or chemical, consequences of variations in the propellant. Chemical changes, i.e. small variations in the propellant composition, are most likely to aect the dynamics of the combustion processes and indirectly other physical processes in the motor. That is apparently what happened in the Minuteman. Between production of propellant Lots 9 and 10, the supplier of aluminum particles was changed, because the original production facility was accidentally destroyed. The new aluminum diered in two respects: shapes of the particles, and the proportion of oxide coating. Testing during investigation of the instability led to the conclusion that consequent changes in the processes responsible for the production of aluminum oxide products of combustion generated smaller particle sizes of Al2 O3 . The smaller sizes less eectively attenuated acoustic waves; the net tendency to excite waves therefore increased. As a result, the motors were evidently more unstable and also supported larger amplitudes of oscillation. The second conclusion was purely speculative at the time of
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the investigation, but can now be demonstrated with the theory covered in this book. Nevertheless, the details explaining why the change in the aluminum supplied led eventually to the signicant changes in the combustion products remain unknown. Subsequent to the Minuteman problem, the Air Force Rocket Propulsion Laboratory supported a substantial program of research on many of the most important problems related to combustion instabilities in solid rockets. Broadly, the intellectual centroid of that program lay closer to the areas of combustor dynamics and combustion dynamics than to the detailed behavior of propellants. The synthesis, chemistry and kinetics of known and new materials belonged to programs funded by other agencies in the U.S. and in Europe, notably ONERA in France. By far most of the related work in Russia has always been concerned with the characteristics and combustion of propellants, with relatively little attention to the dynamics of combustors. As the research activities related specically to solid rockets decreased during the 1980s and new programs began for liquid-fueled systems, the communities, previously quite separate, grew closer together. For example, prompted by contemporary concern with problems in ramjets, a workshop sponsored by JANNAF (Culick 1980) was organized partly with the specic intention to bring together people experienced in the various propulsion systems. During the 1980s there was considerable interchange between the various research communities and since that time, a signicant number of people have worked on both solid and liquid-fueled systems. That shift in the sociology of the eld has provided the possibility and much of the justication for this book. Events of the past decade have conrmed that the eld of combustion instabilities is very usefully approached as a unication of the problems arising in all systems. In Europe during the 1990's, work on combustion instabilities in solid propellant rockets has been motivated largely by low frequency oscillations in the booster motors for the Ariane 5. The most intensive and comprehensive recent work in the U.S. has been carried out in two Multiuniversity Research Initiators (MURI) involving 15 dierent universities. An unusual characteristic of those programs, active for ve years beginning in 1995, was the inclusion of coordinated research on all aspects of problems of combustion instabilities in solid propellant rockets, from fundamental chemistry to the internal dynamics of motors. Results of recent works will be covered here in the appropriate places. 1.4. Mechanisms of Combustion Instabilities. Just as for steady operation, the chief distinctions among combustion instabilities in dierent combustors must ultimately be traceable to dierences in geometry and the states of the reactants. The root causes, or `mechanisms', of instabilities are imbedded in that context and are often very dicult to identify with certainty. Possibly the most dicult problem in this subject is to quantify the mechanism. Solving that problem requires nding an accurate representation of the relevant dynamics. The simplest and most convenient characterization of an unstable oscillation is expressed in terms of the mechanical energy of the motion. Linear theory produces the result that the rate of growth of the amplitude is proportional to the fractional rate of change of energy, the sum of kinetic and potential energies. The idea is discussed further in the following section. What matters at this point is that the term `mechanism' refers to a process that causes transfer of energy to the unsteady motion from some other source. Thus, mechanisms form the substance of the feedback path in Figure 1.1. Generally there are only three sorts of energy sources for unsteady motions in a combustor: the combustion processes; the mean ow, which of course itself is caused by combustion; and a combination of combustion and mean ow simultaneously acting. The distinction is important because the physical explanations of the energy transfer are very dierent in the three cases. Combustion processes are sensitive to the macroscopic ow variables, particularly pressure, temperature and velocity. Even slow changes of those quantities aect the energy released according to rules that can be deduced from the behavior for steady combustion. In general, however, representations of that sort, based on assuming quasi-steady behavior, are inadequate. Combustion instabilities normally occur in frequency ranges such that genuine dynamical behavior is signicant. That is, the transient changes of energy release do not follow precisely in phase with imposed changes of a ow variable such as pressure. The next simplest assumption is that the combustion processes behave as a rst order dynamical system characterized by a single time delay or relaxation time. That idea was apparently rst suggested by Karman as a basis for interpreting instabilities discovered in early experiments with liquid propellant rockets at Caltech
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(Summereld, 1941). That representation, which came to be called the `n model' was developed most extensively by Crocco and his students at Princeton during the 1950s and 1960s. Time delays may be due, for example, to processes associated with ignition of reactants. Subsequent to injection as the reactants ow downstream, nite times may be required for vaporization, mixing, and for the kinetics mechanism to reach completions. Both eects may be interpreted as a convective time delay. Under unsteady conditions, the initial state of the reactants, their concentrations, pressure, and velocity, also uctuate, causing the delay time to be both nonuniform in space and in time. As a result, rate of energy release downstream in the chamber is also space- and time-dependent, and acts as a source of waves in the combustor. The approximation of rst order behavior fails entirely for the dynamics of burning solid propellants (Culick 1968). Although in good rst approximation dominated by unsteady heat transfer in the condensed phase, a diusive process, the combustion dynamics in this case exhibits behavior closer to that of a second order system. The frequency response of that burning rate tends normally to have a large broad peak centered at a frequency falling well within the range of the frequencies characteristic of the chamber dynamics. Hence there is a clear possibility for a resonance and instability suggested by the diagram in Figure 1.1. The chief mechanisms for instabilities in solid rockets are discussed in the following chapter. Generation of oscillations by the average ow is due to causes roughly like those active in wind musical instruments. In all such cases, ow separation is involved, followed by instability of a shear layer and formation of vortices. Direct coupling between the vortices and a local velocity uctuation associated with an acoustic eld is relatively weak; that is, the rate of energy exchange is in some sense small. However, the interaction between the velocity (or pressure) uctuation and the initial portion of the shear layer is normally a basic reason that feedback exists between the unsteady eld in the volume of the combustor and vortex shedding. It has long been known experimentally that vortices shed in a chamber more eectively generate acoustic waves if they impinge in an obstacle downstream of their origin (Flandro and Jacobs, 1975; Magiawala and Culick, 1979; Flandro, 1986). The rst example of this phenomenon was the solid rocket booster for the Shuttle launch system in the 1970s. It was that problem that motivated the works just cited, but since then vortex shedding has been recognized as a mechanism for generating acoustic oscillations in other systems as well, notably the booster motors on the Space Shuttle and on the Ariane 5. 1.5. Physical Characteristics of Combustion Instabilities. Owing to the diculty of making direct measurements of the ow eld within a combustion chamber, virtually all that is known about combustion instabilities rests on close coordination of experiment and theory. The subject is intrinsically semi-empirical, theoretical work being founded on observational data both from full-scale machines and laboratory devices. Conversely, the theoretical and analytical framework occupies a central position as the vehicle for planning experimental work and for interpreting the results. The chief purpose of this section are to summarize briey the most important basic characteristics of observed instabilities; and to introduce the way in which those observations motivate the formulation of the theoretical framework. In tests of full-scale propulsion systems, only three types of data are normally available; obtained from pressure transducers, accelerometers, and strain gauges. Measurements of pressure are most direct but are always limited, and often not possible when the necessary penetration of the enclosure to install instruments is not allowed. Hence the unsteady internal pressure eld is often inferred from data taken with accelerometers and strain gauges. In any case, because it is the fundamental variable of the motions, the pressure will serve here as the focus of our discussion. Figure 1.4a and 1.4b is an example of a fully developed instability, shown with its power spectral densities. The well-dened peaks reect the clear presence of several frequencies in the waves, the larger amplitudes occurring at the lower frequencies, as commonly happens. A substantial background of broad-band noise is of course always present due to turbulent uctuations of the ow, noise emission by combustion processes, and possibly other unsteady motions such as ow separation. Some recent laboratory tests have shown that the level of noise depends on the presence and amplitude of combustion instabilities, but the cause is unknown and no such observations exist for full-scale combustors.
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(a)
(b)
Figure 1.4. Waveform and Spectrum for an Instability in the Caltech Dump Combustor Much of these lectures is devoted to understanding the origins of the behavior illustrated by the examples in Figures 1.3 and 1.4. The classical theory of acoustics has provided the basis for under standing combustion instabilities since early recognition that some unexpected observations could be traced to pressure oscillations. Many basic results of classical acoustics have been applied directly and with remarkable success to problems of instabilities. It is often taken for granted that well-known acoustics formulas should be applicable|their use can in fact be justied on fundamental grounds. However, in the rst instance, it is surprising that they work so well,
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because the medium is far from the ideal uniform quiescent gas assumed in the classical acoustics of resonating chambers. A combustion chamber contains a non-uniform ow of chemically reacting species, often present in condensed as well as gaseous phases, exhausting through a nozzle that is choked in rockets, ramjets, and afterburners. Moreover, the ow is normally turbulent and may include regions of separation. Yet estimates of the frequencies of oscillations computed with acoustics formulas for the natural modes of a closed chamber containing a uniform gas at rest commonly lie within 10{15 percent or less of the frequencies observed for combustion instabilities, if the speed of sound is correctly chosen. There are three main reasons that the classical view of acoustics is a good rst approximation to wave propagation in combustion chamber: (1) the Mach number of the average ow is commonly small, so convective and refractive eects are small; (2) if the exhaust nozzle is choked, incident waves are eciently reected, so for small Mach numbers the exit plane appears to be nearly a rigid surface; and (3) in the limit of small amplitude disturbances, it is a fundamental result for compressible ows that any unsteady motion can be decomposed into three independent modes of propagation, of which one is acoustic (Chu and Kovazsnay 1956). The other two modes of motion are vortical disturbances, the dominant component of turbulence, and entropy (or temperature) waves. Hence even in the highly turbulent non-uniform ow usually present in a combustion chamber, acoustic waves behave in good rst approximation according to their own simple classical laws. That conclusion has simplied enormously the task of gaining qualitative understanding of instabilities arising in full-scale systems as well as in laboratory devices. Of course, it is precisely the departures from classical acoustics that dene the class of problems we call combustion instabilities. In that sense, this book is concerned chiey with perturbations of a very old problem, standing waves in an enclosure. That point of view has signicant consequences; perhaps the most important is that many of the physical characteristics of combustion instabilities can be described and understood quite well in a familiar context. The remainder of this chapter is an elaboration of that conclusion. The most obvious evidence that combustion instabilities are related to classical acoustic resonances is the common observation that frequencies measured in tests agree fairly well with those computed with classical formulas. Generally, the frequency f of a wave equals its speed of propagation, a, divided by the wavelength, : a f= (1.1) On dimensional grounds, or by recalling classical results, we know that the wavelength of a resonance or normal mode of a chamber is proportional to a length, the unobstructed distance characterizing the particular mode in question. Thus the wavelengths of the organ-pipe modes are proportional to the length, L, of the pipe, those of modes of motion in transverse planes of a circular cylindrical chamber are proportional to the diameter, D, and so forth. Hence (1.1) implies a f longitudinal modes L (1.2 a, b) a transverse modes f D There are two basic implications of the conclusion that the formulas (1.2 a, b), with suitable multiplying constants, seem to predict observed frequencies fairly well: evidently the geometry is a dominant inuence on the special structure of the instabilities; and we can reasonably dene some sort of average speed of sound in the chamber, based on an approximation to the temperature distribution. In practice, estimates of a use the p classical formula a = RT with T the adiabatic ame temperature for the chemical system in question, and with the properties and R calculated according to the composition of the mixture in the chamber. Usually, mass-averaged values, accounting for condensed species, seem to be close to the truth. If large dierences of temperature exist in the chamber, as in a ow containing ame fronts, nonuniformities in the speed of sound must be accounted for to obtain good estimates of the frequencies. Even for more complicated geometries, notably those often used in solid rockets, when the simple formulas (1.2 a, b) are not directly applicable, numerical calculations of the classical acoustic motions normally give good
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approximations to the natural frequencies and pressure distributions. Thus quite generally we can adopt the point of view that combustion instabilities are acoustical motions excited and sustained in the rst instance by interactions with combustion processes. That the classical theory works so well for estimating frequencies and distributions of the unsteady motions means that computation of those quantities is not a serious test of a more comprehensive theory. What is required rst of a theory of combustion instabilities is a basis for understanding how and why combustion instabilities dier from classical acoustics. In particular, two global aspects of minor importance in most of classical acoustics, are fundamental to understanding combustion instabilities: transient characteristics and nonlinear behavior. Both are associated with the property that with respect to combustion instabilities, a combustion chamber appears to an observer to be a self-excited system: the oscillating appear without the action of externally imposed forces. Combustion processes are the sources of energy which ultimately appear as the thermal and mechanical energy of the uid motions. If the processes tending to dissipate the energy of a uctuation in the ow are weaker than those adding energy, then the disturbance is unstable. 1.6. Linear Behavior. When the amplitude of a disturbance is small, the rates of energy gains and losses are usually proportional to the energy itself which in turn is proportional to the square of the amplitude of the disturbance; the responsible processes are said to be linear because the governing equations are linear in the ow variables. An unstable disturbance then grows exponentially in time, without limit if all processes remain linear. Exponential growth of the form A0 et , where A0 is the amplitude of the initial small disturbance, is characteristic of the initial stage of an instability in a self-excited system, sketched in Figure 1.5(a). In contrast, the initial transient in a linear system forced by an invariant external agent grows according to the form 1 et , shown in Figure 1.5(b). The curve et is concave upward and evolves into a constant limiting value for a physical system only if nonlinear processes are active. However, the plot of 1 et is concave downward and approaches a limiting value for a linear system because the driving agent supplies only nite power.
(a)
(b)
Figure 1.5. Transient behavior of (a) Self Excited Linearly Unstable Motions; (b) Forced Motions. Data of the sort reproduced in Figure 1.4 leave no doubt that the unstable motions in combustion chambers are self-excited, having the characteristics shown in Figure 1.5(a). The physical origin of this behavior is the dependence of the energy gains and losses on the motions themselves. For combustion instabilities, the `system' is the dynamical system whose behavior is measured by the instrument sensing the pressure oscillations. Thus, in view of earlier remarks, the dynamical system is in some sense the system of acoustical motions in the chamber coupled to the mean ow and combustion processes (recall Figure 1.1). It is a fundamental and extremely important conclusion that by far most combustion instabilities are motions of a self-excited dynamical system. Probably the most signicant implication is that in order to understand fully the observed behavior, and how to aect it and control it, one must understand the behavior of a nonlinear system. When the motion in a combustion chamber is unstable, except in unusual cases of growth to destruction, the amplitude typically settles down to a nite value: the system then executes a limiting motion, usually a periodic limit cycle. For practical applications, it is desirable to know how the amplitude of the limit cycle depends on the parameters characterizing the system. That information may serve as the basis for changing the characteristics to reduce the amplitude, the goal in practice being zero. In any case, good understanding of the properties of the
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limit cycle will also provide some appreciation for those variables which dominate the behavior and to which the motions may be most sensitive, a practical matter indeed. Our global view, then, is that a combustion instability is an oscillatory motion of the gases in the chamber, which can in rst approximation be synthesized of one or more modes related to classical acoustic modes. The mode having lowest frequency is a `bulk' mode in which the pressure is nearly uniform in space but uctuating in time. Because the pressure gradient is everywhere small, the velocity uctuations are nearly zero. This mode corresponds to the vibration of a Helmholtz resonator obtained, for example, by blowing over the open end of a bottle. The cause in a combustion chamber may be the burning process itself, or it may be associated with oscillations in the supply of reactants, caused in turn by the variations of pressure in the chamber. Structural vibrations of a solid rocket are not normally inuential, but an instability of the bulk mode (there is only one bulk mode for a given geometry) has often been a problem in motors designed for use in space vehicles. In those cases, the term L*-instability has been used because the stability of the mode is predominantly a function of the L* of the motor and the mean pressure (Sehgal and Strand 1964). The instability is associated with the time lag between uctuations of the burning rate and of mass ux through the nozzles: that time lag is proportional to the residence time, and hence L*, for ow in the chamber. L*-instabilities occur in motors qualied for space ight because they arise in the lower ranges of pressure at which such rockets operate. Whatever the system, most combustion instabilities involve excitation of the acoustic modes, of which there are an innite number for any chamber. The values of the frequencies are functions primarily of the geometry and of the speed of sound, the simplest examples being the longitudinal and transverse modes of a circular cylinder, with frequencies behaving according to 1.2 a, b. Which modes are unstable depends on the balance of energy supplied by the exciting mechanisms and extracted by the dissipating processes. We consider here only linear behavior to illustrate the point. In general the losses and gains of energy are strongly dependent on frequency. For example, the attenuation due to viscous eects typically increases with the square root of the frequency. Other sources of energy loss associated with interactions between the oscillations and the mean ow tend to be weaker functions of frequency. That is the case, for example for reections of waves by a choked exhaust nozzle. The gains of energy usually depend in a more complicated way on frequency. The sources of energy for combustion instabilities i.e. the mechanisms responsible for their existence, present the most dicult problems in this eld. For the present we conne our attention to qualitative features of energy exchange between combustion to unsteady motions. For example, the magnitude of the energy addition due to coupling between acoustic waves and combustion processes for a solid propellant normally rises from some relatively small quasi-steady value at low frequencies, passes through a broad peak, and then decreases to zero at high frequencies. Recent experimental results suggest that ames may exhibit similar behavior (Pun 2001). Energy is transferred to a pressure oscillation having a particular frequency at a rate proportional to the part of the coupling that is in phase with the pressure at that frequency.1 Figure 1.6 is a schematic illustration of this sort of behavior. In Figure 1.6, the gains exceed the losses in the frequency range f1 < f < f2 . Modes having frequencies in that range will therefore be linearly unstable. An important characteristic, typical of combustion chambers generally, is that in the lower ranges of frequency, from zero to somewhat above the maximum frequency of instability, the net energy transfer is a small dierence between relatively larger gains and losses. That implies the diculty, conrmed by many years' experience, of determining the net energy ow accurately. Unavoidable uncertainties in the gains and losses themselves become much more signicant when their dierence is formed. That is the main reason for the statement made earlier that analysis of combustion instabilities has been useful in practice chiey for predicting and understanding trends of behavior rather than accurate calculations of the conditions under which a given system is unstable. The ultimate source of all of these diculties is the fact, cited in Section 1.1, is the property that the motions in question consume and contain only small portions of the total energy available within the system. Hence in both laboratory tests and in operational systems one is confronted with determining the characteristics of essentially small disturbances imbedded in a complicated dynamic environment.
1 It is possible, due to the behavior of the phase angle, that in a range of high frequencies the combustion processes may in fact extract energy from the acoustic waves and hence contribute to the losses of energy.
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ENERGY GAINS and LOSSES
Range of Possible Instabilities
Losses
Gains FREQUENCY
(a)
CHAMBER RESPONSE
Bulk Mode 1st Mode Unstable
2nd Mode Stable
3rd Mode Stable
(b)
FREQUENCY
Figure 1.6. Qualitative Dependence of (a) Energy Gains and Losses; and (b) the Frequency Response of a Combustor. The best and most complete data illustrating the preceding remarks have been obtained with solid propellant rockets. There are several reasons for that circumstance. First, the ignition period | the time to cause all of the exposed propellant surface to begin burning | is relatively short and the average conditions in the chamber quickly reach their intended values. Unless oscillations are severely unstable, and growing rapidly during the ignition transient, there is a good opportunity to observe the exponential growth characteristic of a linear instability. The measurements shown in Figures 1.4(a) and (b) are good examples. Secondly, it is probably true that more eort has been spent on rening the measurements and predictions of linear stability for solid rockets than for other systems because of the expense and diculty of carrying out replicated tests. There is no practical, routine way of interrupting and resuming rings and it is the nature of the system that an individual motor can be red only once. Particularly for large motors used in space launch vehicles, successive rings involve great expense. Development by empirical trial-and-error is costly and there is considerable motivation to work out methods of analysis and design applicable to individual tests. 1.6.1. Gains and Losses of Acoustic Energy; Linear Stability. It is a general result of the theory of linear systems that if a system is unstable, a small disturbance of an initial state will grow exponentially in time: where g > 0 is called the growth constant. If a disturbance is linearly stable, then its amplitude decays exponentially in time, being proportional to ed t and d > 0 is the decay constant. The denition (1.3) implies that for a variable of the motion, say the pressure, having maximum amplitude p0 in one cycle of a linear oscillation: ^ p0 (t) = p0 eg (tt0 ) ^ (1.4) amplitude of disturbance eg t (1.3)
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where p0 is the amplitude at time t = t0 . Then if p0 , p0 are the peak amplitudes at time t1 , t2 as indicated in ^ 1 2 Figure 1.7, p0 (t = t2 ) p2 ^ eg (t2 t0 ) = 0 = (t t ) = eg (t2 t1 ) p1 ^ p (t = t1 ) e g 1 0 The logarithm of (1.5) is p2 ^ = g (t2 t1 ) (1.6) p1 ^ In practice, t2 t1 is taken equal to the period , the time between successive positive (or negative) peaks. Then the logarithm of the ratio p2 =^1 for a number of pairs of successive peaks is plotted versus the time t1 or t2 at ^ p which the rst or second peak occurs. The line is straight, having slope g . log Whatever the system, the analytical treatment of linear stability is essentially the same. There is really only one problem to solve: nd the growth and decay constants and the frequencies of the modes. Determining the actual mode shapes is part of the general problem, but is often not essential for practical purposes. Typically, both the frequency and the mode shape for small-amplitude motions in a combustion chamber are so little dierent from their values computed classically as to be indistinguishable by measurement in operating combustors. By \classical" we mean here a computation according to the equations of classical acoustics for the geometry at hand, and with account taken of large gradients in the temperature, which aect the speed of sound. The presence of combustion processes and a mean ow eld are not accounted for explicitly, but it may be necessary for satisfactory results, to include a good approximation to the boundary condition applied at the exhaust nozzle, particularly if the average Mach number is not small. (1.5)
Figure 1.7. Exponential Growth of a Linearly Unstable Motion (Perry 1968) Hence the linear stability problem is really concerned with calculations of the growth and decay constants for the modes corresponding to the classical acoustic resonances. An arbitrary small amplitude motion can, in principle, be synthesized with the results, but that calculation is rarely required for practical applications. Results for the net growth or decay constant have been the central issue in both theoretical and practical work. In combustors, processes causing growth of disturbances and those causing decay act simultaneously. Hence an unstable disturbance is characterized by a net growth constant that can be written = g d . Because the problem is linear, the growth constants can quite generally be expressed as a sum of the contributions due to processes accounted for in the formulation, as for example: := g d = ()combustion + ()nozzle + ()mean ow + ()condensed + ()structure + (1.7)
The labels refer to processes of interaction between the acoustic eld and combustion, the nozzle, the mean ow, condensed species, the containing structure,.... Structural interactions comprise not only the vibrations mentioned earlier as a necessary part of the POGO instability, but also quite generally any motions of mechanical components, including propellant. For example, in large, solid propellant rockets, motions of the viscoelastic
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material of the grain may be a signicant source of energy losses through internal dissipation (McClure, Hart, and Bird 1960). The stability boundary|the locus of parameters marking the boundary between unstable ( > 0) and stable ( < 0) oscillations|is dened by = 0 in (1.7). That statement is a formal rendition of the physical condition that the energy gained per cycle should equal the energy lost per cycle: g = d (1.8)
Usually the main source of energy is combustion and in terms of the contributions shown in (1.7), this relation becomes ()combustion = ()nozzle ()mean ow ()condensed ()structure (1.9) There are situations in which the acoustic/mean ow interactions may provide a gain of energy. That is, energy is transferred from the average ow to the unsteady motions (as happens, for example, in wind instruments and sirens), but there is no need to consider the matter at this point. As simple as it appears, equation (1.7) dening , and its special form (1.8) dening the stability boundary, are basic and extremely important results. There is no evidence, for any propulsion system, contradicting the view that these results are correct representations of actual linear behavior. Diculties in practice arise either because not all signicant processes are accounted for, or, more commonly, insucient information is available to assign accurately the values of the various individual growth or decay constants.
Figure 1.8. Stability Boundary for a Laboratory Gas-Fueled Rocket (Crocco, Grey, and Harrje) As examples, Figure 1.8 shows stability boundaries computed for longitudinal oscillations in a gas-fueled laboratory rocket motor (Crocco, Grey, and Harrje 1960) and Figure 1.9 shows the results of calculations for a large, solid propellant rocket (Beckstead 1974). Those results illustrate the two uses mentioned above for the
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formula (1.9). In the case of the gas-red rocket, the calculations contained two parameters not known from rst principles, namely n and arising in the time-delay model of the interactions between combustion and the acoustic eld. All other parameters dening the geometry and the average ow eld were known. The purpose of the work was to compare the calculations with measurements of the stability boundary to infer values of n and .
Figure 1.9. Predicted Stability Boundary for a Large Solid Propellant Rocket Motor, and the Separate Contributions to d and g . (Beckstead 1974) The purpose of the results reproduced in Figure 1.9 was to predict the stability of a full-scale motor prior to test ring. In that case, all of the parameters appearing in (1.7) must be known. Usually some of the information is available only from ancillary laboratory tests, notably those required to characterize the coupling between propellant combustion and the acoustic eld. Indeed, an important application of the formulas (1.11) and (1.12) is to do exactly that for a laboratory device called the \T-burner". It is not necessary to restrict attention to the stability boundary if good measurements of the growth constant can be made. Then if all the losses can be computed, one can nd the value of the growth constant due to combustion (or, more generally all energy gains) as the dierence combustion = losses (1.10) Results for combustion can either be adapted for use directly in computing the stability of a motor; or they can be interpreted with models of the combustion processes to obtain better understanding of unsteady combustion. That procedure has been used extensively to assess the combustion dynamics of solid propellants and to investigate trends of behavior with operating conditions and changes of composition. The growth constant has a simple interpretation beyond that given by 1.10 as the slope of a semi-logarithmic plot of the peak amplitudes versus time: twice is the fractional rate of change of time-averaged energy in the classical acoustic eld. We will prove the result more rigorously in Chapter 3 but this interpretation is so central to all problems of linear stability that it is useful to have it in hand from the beginning. By the denition of ,
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both the pressure and velocity oscillations have the time dependence multiplied by their spatial distributions. The acoustic energy density is the sum of the local kinetic energy, 2 2 proportional to u0 , and potential energy, proportional to p0 : If we assume that the period of oscillation, = 2=!, is much smaller then the decay rate, 1=, then the values of these functions averaged over a cycle of the oscillation are proportional to e2t . Hence the acoustic energy density is itself proportional to e2t . Integrating over the total volume of the chamber we nd that the total averaged energy hE in the acoustic eld has the form i where hE i is a constant depending on the average ow properties and the geometry. We then nd directly from 0 (1.11) the result claimed: 2 = 1 dhE i hE dt i (1.12) hE = hE ie2t i 0 (1.11) K.E. e2t cos2 !t; P.E. e2t sin2 !t p0 et cos !t; u0 et sin !t
where j jm denotes the magnitude of the peak amplitude. We assume as above that the fractional change in one period is small so
Another elementary property worth noting is that 1= is the time required for the amplitude of oscillation to decay to 1=e of some chosen initial value. Also, the fractional change of the peak value in one cycle of oscillation (t2 tl = = 2=!) is i h jp0 j jp0 j = jp0 jm et1 et2 = et2 e(t1 t2 ) 1 2 1
where f is the frequency in cycles per second, f = 1= . The dimensionless ratio f = is a convenient measure of the growth or decay of an oscillation. According to the interpretation of 1= noted above, (1=)= = f = is the number of cycles required for the maximum amplitudes of oscillation to decay to 1=e or grow to e times an initial value. The ratio =f must be small for the view taken here to be valid. Intuitively, must in some sense be proportional to the magnitude of the perturbations of the classical acoustics problem. We will nd that the most important measure of the perturbations is a Mach number, Mr , chacterizing the mean ow; for many signicant r times a constant of order unity. Roughly speaking, then, the measured value of =f is processes, =f equals M an initial indication of the validity of the view that a combustion instability can be regarded as a motion existing because of relatively weak perturbations of classical acoustics. 1.7. Nonlinear Behavior. It is a fundamental and extremely important conclusion that combustion instabilities are motions of a self-excited nonlinear dynamical system. Probably the most signicant implication is that in order to understand fully the observed behavior, and how to aect or control it, one must ultimately understand the behavior of a nonlinear system. When the motion in a combustion chamber is unstable, except in unusual cases of growth to destruction, the amplitude typically settles down to a nite value: the system then executes a limiting motion, usually a periodic limit cycle. For practical applications, it is desirable to know how the amplitude of the limit cycle depends on the parameters characterizing the system. That information may serve as the basis for changing the characteristics to reduce the amplitude, the goal in practice being zero. In any case, good understanding of the properties of the limit cycle will also provide some appreciation for those variables which determine the behavior and to which the motions may be most sensitive, a practical matter indeed. Rarely do the motions in a combustion chamber exhibit clear limit oscillations of the sort commonly encountered with simpler mechanical systems. Figure 1.3 and 1.4illustrate the point. It appears that combustion devices
e(t1 t2 ) 1 + (t1 t2 ) = 1 + The amplitude itself is approximately proportional to et2 or et1 and we can write the fractional change as jp0 jm = (1.13) 0j jp m f
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are subject to inuences, probably not easily identied, that prevent constant frequencies and amplitudes in the limit motions. The motions seem not to be limit cycles in the strict sense. However, experience gained in the past few years suggests that the deviations from the well-dened behavior of simpler systems are normally due to secondary inuences. There are several possibilities, although not enough is known about the matter to make denite statements. Recent analysis (Burnley, 1996; Burnley and Culick, 1999) has demonstrated that noise, and interactions between random and acoustical motions can cause departures from purely periodic limit cycles appearing very similar to those found in pressure records for operating combustors. The random or stochastic motions are likely associated with ow separation, turbulence, and combustion noise. Probably other causes of departures from strictly periodic limit cycles are associated with the parameters characterizing steady operation of a combustor; and with `noise' or random uctuation of ow variables. As we have already emphasized, the unsteady motions require only a negligibly small part of the energy supplied by the combustion processes. Relatively minor variations in the combustion eld, due, for example, to small uctuations in the supplies of reactants, may alter the rates of energy transfer to instabilities and hence aect features of a limit cycle. Similarly, adjustments in the mean ow, notably the velocity eld and surface heat transfer rates, will directly inuence the unsteady eld. Laboratory experiments clearly show such phenomena and considerable care is required to achieve reproducible results. In solid propellant rockets, the internal geometry necessarily changes during a ring. That happens on a time scale much longer than periods of unsteady motions, but one obvious result is the decrease of frequencies normally observed in tests. Because there is ample reason to believe that the phenomena just mentioned are not essential to the global nonlinear behavior of combustion instabilities, we ignore them in the following discussion. 1.7.1. Linear Behavior Interpreted as the Motion of a Simple Oscillator. Intuitively we may anticipate that nonlinear behavior may be regarded in rst approximation as an extension of the view of linear behavior described in the preceding section, made more precise in the following way. Measurement of a transient pressure oscillation often gives results similar to those shown in Figures 1.5(a). The frequency in each case varies little, remaining close to a value computed classically for a natural resonance of the chamber, and the growth of the peak amplitude during the initial transient period is quite well approximated by the rule for a linear instability, et . Thus the behavior is scarcely distinguishable from that of a classical linear oscillator with damping, and having a single degree of freedom. The governing equation for a simple mass (m)= spring (k)= dashpot (r) system is d2 x dx +r + kx = 0 (1.14) dt2 dt It is surely tempting to model a linear combustion instability by identifying the pressure uctuation, p0 , with the displacement x of the mass. Then upon dividing (1.14) by m and tentatively replacing x by p0 , we have m dp0 d2 p0 2 + 2 (1.15) + !0 p0 = 0 dt2 dt p where 2 = r=m and the undamped natural frequency is !0 = k=m. The familiar solution to (1.15) has the p form of the records shown in Figures 1.5(a), p0 = p0 et cos t where = !0 1 (=!0 )2 and 0 is the value of ^ ^ p0 at t = 0. The preceding remarks suggest the course we should follow to investigate the linear behavior of combustion instabilities, and indeed is the motivation behind the general view described earlier. But this is purely descriptive heuristic reasoning. No basis is given for determining the quantities `mass,' `damping coecient,' and `spring constant' for the pressure oscillation. The procedure for doing so is developed in Chapter 4; the gist of the matter is the following, a brief description of the method used later to analyze combustion instabilities. According to the theory of classical acoustics for a sound wave, we may identify both kinetic energy per unit mass, proportional to the square of the acoustic velocity u0 , and potential energy per unit mass, proportional to the square of the acoustic pressure p0 . The acoustic energy per unit volume is ! 2 p0 1 02 (1.16) u + 2 2 a
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where and a are the average density and speed of sound. This expression corresponds to the formula for the energy of a simple oscillator, 1 (1.17) (mx2 + kx2 ) _ 2 Now consider a stationary wave in a closed chamber. Both the velocity and pressure uctuations have spatial distributions such that the boundary condition of no velocity normal to a rigid wall is satised. Hence the local pressure p0 in equation (1.15) must depend on position as well as time. However, the frequency !0 depends on the geometry of the entire chamber and according to equation (1.12), we should be able to interpret 2 in equation (1.15) as the fractional rate of change of averaged energy in the entire volume. Therefore, we expect that the parameters m, k, and r implied by the denitions = r=2m and !0 = k=m must be related to properties of the entire chamber. The approximate analysis used in most of this book is based partly on spatial averaging dened so that the properties ascribed to a particular mode are local values weighted by the spatial distribution of the mode in question, and averaged over the chamber volume. Locally in the medium, the `spring constant' is supplied by the compressibility of the gas, and the mass participating in the motion is proportional to the density of the undisturbed medium. When the procedure of spatial averaging is applied, both the compressibility and the density are weighted by the appropriate spatial structure of the acoustical motion. As a result, the damping constant and the natural frequency are expressed in terms of global quantities characterizing the uctuating motion throughout the chamber. We will nd rigorously that in the linear limit, an equation of the form (1.15) does apply, but instead of p0 itself, the variable is n (t), the time dependent amplitude of an acoustic mode represented by r p0 = pn (t)n (~) n (1.18) r where p is the mean pressure and n (~) is the spatial structure of the classical acoustic mode identied by the index ( )n . Hence the typical equation of motion is dn d2 n 2 + 2n + !n n = 0 dt2 dt (1.19)
The constants n and !n contain the inuences of all linear processes distinguishing the oscillation in a combustion chamber from the corresponding unperturbed classical motion governed by the equation d2 n 2 + !n0 n = 0 (1.20) dt2 if dissipation of energy is ignored. Because damping in a mechanical system causes a frequency shift, and the actual frequency is not equal tot he unperturbed value, !n0 . For technical reasons not apparent at this point, it is convenient to regard the linear perturbing process as a force Fn (n ; n ) is acting on the òscillator' and equation (1.19) is written _ d2 n 2 L + !n0 n = Fn (n ; n ) _ (1.21) dt2 2 2 The superscript ( )L identies the `force' as linear, and for simplicity !n0 is written !n . We will consistently use the symbol !n for the unperturbed classical acoustic frequency. If there is no linear coupling between the modes L (typically linear coupling is small), the force Fn consists of two terms, one representing the damping of the mode and one the frequency shift:
L 2 _ Fn = !n n + 2n n
(1.22)
2 !n .
Equations (1.21) and (1.22) produce (1.19) with
2 !n
replaced by
2 !n
With the above reasoning we have heuristically constructed equation (1.21) as the fundamental equation for a linear combustion instability corresponding to a classical acoustic mode of the chamber. Its simplicity masks the L fact that a great amount of eort is required to determine realistic functions Fn (n ; n ) applicable to the motions _ in a combustion chamber. The approximate analysis developed later provides a framework for accommodating all linear processes but does not contain explicit formulas for all of them. Most importantly, there are terms
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representing interactions between combustion processes and the unsteady motions, but their computation requires modeling the mechanisms that cause combustion instabilities. Some of the purely gasdynamical processes, arising with coupling between mean and uctuating motions, are given explicitly. According to classical acoustic theory, a closed chamber of gas at rest has an innite number of normal or resonant modes. The spatial structures (mode shapes) and resonant frequencies are found as solutions to an eigenvalue problem. A general motion in the chamber, having any spatial structure, can then be represented as a linear superposition of the normal modes. The process of spatial averaging, leading to equation (1.20), amounts to representing any motion as an innite collection of simple oscillators, one associated with each of the normal modes. That interpretation holds as well for equation (1.21) except that now each mode may suer attenuation (n < 0) or excitation (n > 0). It is this point of view that allows natural extension of the analysis to nonlinear behavior. 1.7.2. Nonlinear Behavior Interpreted as the Motion of a Nonlinear Oscillator. In view of the observation that measurements often show development of limit cycles like those shown in Figure ??, it is tempting simply to add a nonlinear term to the oscillator equation (1.21) and assume that a combustion instability involves only a single nL 2 mode. Thus, for example, we could add to the right-hand side a force Fn = c1 n + c2 n + c3 n n + c4 jn j + _2 _ where the constants c1 ,... may be chosen by tting the solution to data. Culick (1971) showed that quite good results could be obtained with this approach applied to limited data. Figure 1.10 shows one example. Of course this is a purely ad hoc approach and provides no means of computing the coecients from rst principles.
Figure 1.10. An Example of Fitting T-Burner Data with the Model of a Simple Nonlinear Oscillator (Culick 1971).
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Subsequently, Jensen and Beckstead (1973) applied that procedure to extensive data taken in laboratory devices intended for measuring the characteristics of unsteady burning of solid propellants. The chief result was that the data could be matched equally well with rather broad ranges of the constants, and no particular kind of nonlinearity seemed to dominate the motions. Consequently, representation with a single mode was not successful. Even though analysis of pressure records for limit cycles often showed relatively small (it seemed) amounts of harmonics of the principle mode, it appeared necessary to account for two modes at least, with coupling due to nonlinear processes. In other contexts, that conclusion is surely not surprising. The development of a small amplitude compressive disturbance into a shock wave is the oldest and most familiar example in gasdynamics. Steepening of a smooth wave arises primarily from two nonlinear inuences: convection of the disturbance by its own motion, and dependence of the speed of sound on the local temperature, itself dependent on the wave motion. A good approximation to the phenomenon is obtained if viscous stresses and heat conduction are ignored. If the disturbance is regarded as a combination of various modes, the ow of energy from modes in the low frequency range to those having higher frequencies is favored by the nonlinear gasdynamic coupling. The rapid growth of the higher-frequency modes having shorter wavelengths produces the steepening, eventually limited, in real ows, by the actions of various eects. In a combustion chamber possible consequences of nonlinear combustion processes cannot be ignored. In extreme cases of combustion instabilities, particularly in liquid and solid rockets, the approximately sinusoidal motions, substantially systems of stationary waves, may be absent or evolve into a dierent form. The motions then appear to be weak shock waves, or pulses having measurable width, propagating in the chamber. Instabilities of that type are commonly produced subsequent to excitation by nite pulses. Examples were observed early in tests of liquid rockets, typically involving motions mainly transverse to the axis, identied as `spinning' transverse modes. Their presence is particularly harmful due to the greatly increased surface heat transfer rates causing unacceptable scouring of the chamber walls. The corresponding cases in solid rockets usually are longitudinal motions. They rarely occur in large motors and seem to have been rst observed in pulse testing of laboratory motors (Dickenson 1962; Brownlee 1964). An example is reproduced in Figure 1.11 (Brownlee, 1964). Often this sort of instability is accompanied by a substantial increase of the mean pressure, seriously aecting the steady performance of the motors. The primary cause of the pressure rise is evidently the increased burn rate, although precisely why the rate increases is not well understood. More recently, these pulsed instabilities have been the subject of successful comparisons between laboratory test results and numerical simulations (Baum and Levine 1982; Baum, Levine, and Lovine 1988). Figure 1.12 shows an example of their results. For combustion instabilities, the situation is very dierent from that for shock waves in a pure gas because the processes governing the transfer of energy from combustion to the gasdynamical motions cannot be ignored and in general depend strongly on frequency. Indeed, it may happen, as seems sometimes to be the case for combustion of solid propellants, that the coupling may cause attenuation of higher frequencies. For that reason, the tendency for steepening by the gasdynamics is partially compensated by the combustion processes, may be linear or nonlinear. As a result, in a chamber, a limit cycle may be formed having very closely the spatial structure and frequency of the unstable mode (commonly, but not always, the fundamental mode) and relatively modest amounts of higher modes. It is that behavior that seems to be important in many combustion problems, explaining in part why the approach taken in the approximate analysis has enjoyed some success. Naturally the preceding is a greatly simplied and incomplete description of the events actually taking place in a given combustion chamber. The essential conclusion that nonlinear gasdynamical processes are partly augmented and partly compensated by combustion processes seems to be an important aspect of all combustion instabilities. It appears that the idea was rst explicitly recognized in work by Levine and Culick (1972, 1974), showing that realistic limit cycles could be formed with nonlinear gasdynamics and linear combustion processes. Perhaps the most important general implication of those works is that the nonlinear behavior familiar in ows of pure nonreacting gases is not a reliable guide to understanding the nonlinear behavior in combustion chambers. For nonlinear problems, the governing equations obtained after spatial averaging have the form
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Figure 1.11. Steep-fronted Waves Observed in Solid Propellant Rocket Motors (Brownlee, 1964)
Figure 1.12. A Comparison of Observed and Simulated Steep-Fronted Waves in a Solid Propellant Rocket Motor. (a) Observed; (b) numerical Simulation (Baum and Levine, 1982). d2 n 2 L NL + !n n = Fn (n ; n ) + Fn (i ; i ) _ _ (1.23) dt2 N where Fn L (i ; i ) is the nonlinear force depending on all amplitudes i , including n itself. Thus we may regard a _ combustion instability as the time-evolution of the motions of a collection of nonlinear oscillators, one associated with each of the classical acoustic modes for the chamber. In general the motions of the oscillators may be coupled by linear as well as nonlinear processes, although linear coupling seems rarely to be important. The analytical framework established by the dynamical system (1.23) will serve throughout this book as the primary means for analyzing, predicting, and interpreting combustion instabilities. Representation of unsteady motions in a combustion by expansion in acoustic modes (`modal expansion') and application of spatial averaging was rst accomplished by Culick (1961, 1963) using a Green's function. The work by Jensen and Berkstead cited above motivated extension to nonlinear behavior (Culick 1971 and 1975; and Zinn and Powell (1970a, 1970b) rst used an extension of Galerkin's method to treat nonlinear behavior is in liquid rockets; the method was subsequently extended to solid rockets by Zinn and Lores (1972). In practice, application of a method based on modal expansion and spatial averaging is normally useful only if a small number of modes is required. Yet there are a large number of experimental results showing the presence of steep-fronted waves, often suciently steep to be interpreted as shock waves. Hence an analysis of the sort followed here would
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seem to be quite seriously limited unless one is prepared to accommodate a large number of modes. That is, one would expect that wave motions exhibiting rapid temporal changes and large spatial gradients must contain signicant amounts of higher modes. However, results have also shown that due to fortunate phase relationships, a surprisingly small number of modes serves quite well even to represent many features of waves having steep fronts. The method gives quite a good approximation to both the limiting motions and the transient development of disturbances into weak shock waves. 1.8. Analysis and Numerical Simulations of Combustion Instabilities. In these lectures, the vehicle for unication is a theoretical framework originating in the late 1960s and early 1970s with treatments of instabilities in liquid rockets (Culick 1961, 1963; Powell 1968; Zinn and Powell 1968; and Powell and Zinn 1971) and in solid rockets (Culick 1971, 1976). Those analyses diered from previous work mainly in their use of a form of spatial averaging, in some instances related to Galerkin's method, to replace the partial dierential equations of conservation by a system of ordinary dierential equations. The dependent variables are the time-dependent amplitudes of the acoustic modes used as the basis for series expansion of the unsteady pressure. It is the process of spatial averaging over the volume of the chamber that produces a formulation convenient for handling models of widely dierent geometries and physical processes. Consequently, in return for the approximate nature of the analysis (for example, the series must be truncated to a nite number of terms), one obtains both convenience and a certain generality of applications not normally possible when partial dierential equations are used directly. In general form, this approach is applicable to all types of combustors. Dierent systems are distinguished by dierent geometries and the forms in which the reactants are supplied (liquid, solid, gas, slurry, : : : ). Those dierences aect chiey the modeling of the dominant physical processes. Some analysis of combustion instabilities has customarily accompanied experimental work as an aid to interpreting observations. The paper by Grad (1949) treating instabilities in solid rockets is probably the rst entirely theoretical work dealing with small amplitude acoustical motions in a mean ow eld with combustion sources. During the 1950s and 1960s, many theoretical works were published on the subject of oscillations in solid rockets (Bird, McClure, and Hart 1963; Cheng 1954, 1962; Hart and McClure 1959, 1965; Cantrell and Hart 1964; Culick 1966) and in liquid rockets (Crocco 1952, 1956, 1965; Crocco and Cheng 1956; Reardon 1961; Culick 1961, 1963; Sirignano 1964; Sirignano and Crocco 1964; Zinn 1966, 1968, 1969; Mitchell, Crocco, and Sirignano 1969). It was during that period that the view of combustion instability as a perturbation of classical acoustics was rst extensively developed. Most of the analyses cited in the previous paragraph (those by Sirignano, Zinn and Mitchell are notable exceptions) were restricted to linear problems. Their chief purpose was to compute the stability of small amplitude motions. Indeed, since the earliest works on combustion instabilities, practical and theoretical considerations were directed mainly to the general problem of linear stability: the reasoning is that if the system is stable to small disturbances (e.g. associated with `noise' always present in a combustion chamber) then undesirable instabilities cannot arise. There is a aw in that reasoning: the processes in a combustion chamber are nonlinear, so a linearly stable system may in fact be unstable to suciently large disturbances. In any case, oscillations in combustors reach limiting amplitudes due to the action of nonlinear processes. Hence understanding nonlinear behavior is the necessary context in which one can determine what changes to the system may reduce the amplitudes. Ultimately, a complete theory, and therefore understanding, must include nonlinear behavior, a subject covered at considerable length in these lectures, largely within the context cited in the rst paragraph. Recognition of the practical implications of the deciencies of a view founded on linear behavior motivated the development of the technique of \bombing" liquid rocket chambers in the 1960s by NASA in its Apollo program. The idea is to subject an operating combustion chamber to a succession of increasingly large disturbances (generated by small explosive charges) until sustained oscillations are produced. Then the size of the disturbance required to \trigger" the instability is evidently a measure of the relative stability of the chamber. Another measure is the rate of decay of oscillations subsequent to a pulse injected into a linearly stable system; the method was invented by NASA during the development of engines for the Apollo vehicle in the 1960's. What constitutes the correct `measure' of relative stability cannot of course be determined from experiments alone, but requires deeper understanding accessible only through theoretical work. This is part of the reason that the nonlinear analyses cited above were carried out; also an extensive program of numerical calculations was supported. Owing to the limitations of computing resources at that time, those early numerical calculations involved solutions to quite restricted problems, commonly sectors or annular regions of chambers. It was not possible to compute what are
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now usually called `numerical simulations.' Moreover, the results were often plagued|and were thus sometimes rendered invalid|by noise in the computations or diculties with stability of the numerical techniques. While the intense activities on instabilities in liquid rockets nearly ceased in the early 1970s, work on numerical simulation of combustion instabilities in solid rockets began (Levine and Culick 1972, 1974; Kooker 1974; Baum and Levine 1982). In contrast to the case for liquid rockets, it is a good approximation to ignore chemical processes within the cavity of a solid rocket, an enormous simplication. Combustion occurs largely in a thin layer adjacent to the solid surface and its inuences can be accommodated as boundary conditions. Consequently, with the growth of the capabilities of computers, it became possible to carry out more complete computations for the entire unsteady eld in a motor. Also during this period appeared the rst attempt to compare results of an approximate analysis with those obtained by numerical simulation for the `same' problem (Culick and Levine 1974). The main idea motivating that work was the following. At that time, the size and speed of available computers did not allow numerical simulations of three-dimensional problems, nor in fact even two-dimensional or axisymmetric cases. Moreover, no numerical calculations had been done of one-dimensional unsteady transient motions in a solid rocket, with realistic models of the combustion dynamics and partial damping. Approximate analysis of the sort mentioned above could be applied, in principle, to instabilities in arbitrary geometries, but owing to the approximations involved, there were no means of determining the accuracy of the results. Experimental data contain suciently large uncertainties that comparisons of analytical results with measurements cannot be used to assess accuracy of the analysis. Hence it appeared that the only way to assess the limitations of the approximate analysis must be based on comparison with numerical simulations. It was also important to conrm the validity of the approximate analysis because of its great value for doing theoretical work and for gaining general understanding of unsteady motions in combustion chambers. That reasoning remains valid today. Despite the enormous advances in computing resources, it is true here as in many elds, that approximate analysis still occupies, and likely always will, a central position. A major reason is its great value in providing understanding. Numerical simulations advanced considerably during the 1980s and important work is in progress. Accomplishments for systems containing chemical processes, including combustion of liquid fuels, within the chambers far exceed those possible twenty years ago (see, for example, Liang, Fisher, and Chang 1988; Liou, Huang, and Hung 1988; Habiballah, Lourm, and Pit 1991; Kailasanath, Gardner, Boris, e and Oran 1987a, b; and Menon and Jou 1988). Numerical simulations of ows in solid rockets have begun to incorporate current ideas and results of turbulence modeling (Dunlop et al. 1986; Sabnis, Gibeling, and McDonald 1985; Tseng and Yang 1991; Sabnis, Madabhushi, Gibeling, and McDonald 1989). The results have compared quite favorably with cold ow experiments carried out using chambers with porous walls. In the past ve years, much progress has been made in numerical simulations (some based on the ideas of LES) of solid rockets including computations of the burning propellant. There is no reason to doubt that eventually it will be possible to produce accurate computations of the steady turbulent ow elds in virtually any conguration expected in practical applications. Remarkable success has also been achieved with computations of unsteady one-dimensional motions in straight cylindrical chambers (e.g. Baum and Levine 1982; Baum, Lovine, and Levine 1988; Tseng and Yang 1991). Particularly notable are the results obtained by Baum, Lovine, and Levine (1988) showing very good agreement with data for highly nonlinear unsteady motions induced in the laboratory by pulses. Although parameters in the representation of the unsteady combustion processes were adjusted as required to produce the good comparison, a minimal conclusion must be that the numerical methods are already quite satisfactory. Numerical simulation will always suer some disadvantages already mentioned. In addition, because each simulation is only one case and the problems are nonlinear, it is dicult to generalize the results to gain fundamental understanding. However, the successes of this approach to investigating complicated reacting ows are growing rapidly and the methods are becoming increasingly important for both research and practical application. Historically, we have seen that the three aspects of the subject|experimental, analytical, and numerical simulations|began chronologically in that order. There seems to be no doubt that, as in many other elds of modern engineering, the three will coexist as more-or-less equal partners. We have therefore tried in this book to balance our discussion of methods and results of experiment, analysis, and numerical simulation with much
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less emphasis on the last. The integration of those activities forms a body of knowledge within which one may understand, interpret and predict physical behavior. It is important to realize that experimental information about unsteady motions in combustion chambers is very limited. Commonly only measurements of pressure are available. Accelerometers and strain gauges mounted in a chamber may provide data from which some characteristics of the pressure eld can be inferred. Quantitative surveys of the internal ow are virtually unavailable owing to the high temperatures, although optical methods are useful in laboratory work to give qualitative information and, occasionally, useful quantitative data. As a practical matter we are therefore justied in assuming only that the pressure is available, at most as a function of time and position on the surface of the chamber. That restriction is a fundamental guide to the way in which the theory and methods of analysis for combustion instabilities are developed. Throughout these lectures we emphasize determining and understanding the unsteady pressure eld. The approximate analysis constituting the framework in which we will discuss instabilities is based on the pressure as the primary ow variable.
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2. MECHANISMS OF COMBUSTION INSTABILITIES IN SOLID PROPELLANT ROCKETS Identifying the ultimate cause, the mechanism, is probably the single most important task in understanding combustion instabilities in full-scale systems. The term \mechanism" refers to that phenomenon or collection of processes forming the chief reason that the instability exists. There may be more than one mechanism, but in any case the ultimate reason for an instability is that energy is transferred from the combustion processes, or the mean ow, to unsteady organized motions. Instabilities are commonly observed as nearly periodic oscillations having time-dependent amplitudes. As a practical matter, the chief goal is to reduce the amplitudes to acceptable levels. For that purpose it is essential rst to understand the cause, and then to work out the connections with the chamber dynamics. In the context dened by Figure 1.1, understanding the mechanism of combustion instabilities is equivalent to understanding combustion dynamics. It is essential to keep in mind always that by its very denition, combustion involves chemistry and chemical kinetics within the setting of uid mechanics. Depending on the mechanism, one or another of those phenomena may dominate. Hence, for example, in some cases involving the dynamics of vortex formation and shedding, we may nd that burning is not a central issue. Nevertheless, the presence of the ow eld supporting the vortices is itself produced by combustion of reactants. We may therefore justiably include the phenomenon under the general label `combustion dynamics.' Hence all of the topics comprising the subject of mechanisms belong largely to the feedback path in Figure 1.1. In some respects combustion in a solid propellant rocket chamber appears to be less complicated than those in any other type of combustor. The burning processes occur almost entirely within a thin region, normally less than one millimeter thick, adjacent to the propellant surface. Although some residual combustion normally occurs when the propellant contains aluminum or other metallic additives, there is no unambiguous evidence that combustion within the volume contribute signicantly as a cause of combustion instabilities. We assume that to be the case, leaving surface combustion and purely uid mechanical processes as origins of possible mechanisms. Of these, the dynamics of surface combustion is by far the most common and most important. The four chief mechanisms for instabilities in solid rockets are shown in Figure 2.1 surface combusiton; vortices shed from obstacles, or growing out of the shear ow at a burning surface; and residual combustion within the volume of the chamber. Vortex shedding from obstacles|as in the Shuttle solid rocket booster|or vortices produced at the lateral surface (`parietal vortex shedding')|as in the Ariane 5 solid rocket booster|have been identied as mechanisms only in large motors. Excitation of acoustic waves by vortices is of course a well-known phenomenon in a wide variety of wind musical instruments. The idea that vortices might be responsible for oscillations in a combustion chamber seems to have been proposed rst by Flandro and Jacobs (1974). The dynamics of residual combustion far from the burning surface|mostly likely associated with aluminum or other metal fuel additives not completely burned at the surface|remains poorly understood. Although some attention has been given to the process (Beckstead et al. 1987), analysis of the dynamics is incomplete. No calculations exist assessing quantitatively the possible contributions of residual combustion to linear stability relative to those of surface combustion. On the other hand, there is no disagreement that the dynamics of surface combustion is the dominant mechanism causing most combustion instabilities in all types and sizes of solid rockets. We therefore begin with examination of that subject. 2.1. Qualitative Interpretation of the Basic Mechanism. The dependence of the burning rate of a solid propellant on the pressure has long been known as a basic characteristic. Experiment and theory for the combustion of gases shows that the reaction rates vary strongly with both pressure and temperature. It is therefore not surprising that the burning rate of a solid is sensitive to the impressed temperature and pressure. What is surprising is that the processes in the gas and condensed phases in the vicinity of the burning conspire to produce a dynamical response that exhibits signicant dependence in frequency. That dependence on frequency is particularly important because the response is noticeably greater over a rather broad frequency range. In that range the combustion processes act to amplify pressure uctuations. That is, some of the energy released in chemical reactions is transformed to mechanical energy of motions in the combustion products. Hence the
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p' (t)
u m + m'(t)
u' m + m'(t)
(a) Pressure Coupling
(b) Velocity Coupling
(c) Vortex Shedding
(d) Residual Combustion
Figure 2.1. The Four Chief Mechanisms for Combustion Instabilities in Solid Rockets dynamics in the feedback path, Figure 1.1, not only provide feedback but as well promote an unstable situation. The burning surface exhibits a sort of resonant behavior but without possessing the inertial and spring-like (i.e. restoring) forces associated with a resonant oscillating system such as the simple mass/spring oscillator. Since the cavity in a solid rocket possesses its own acoustic resonances, we have a system of two coupled oscillators. If it should happen that resonant frequencies of the two oscillators are close, then conditions clearly favor an instability. That is the situation commonly occurring in solid rockets and is the simplest direct explanation for the widespread occurrences of instabilities in tactical as well as strategic motors (Blomshield, 2000).
INERT HEATED SOLID
SUBSURFACE DECOMPOSITION
GAS PHASE INTERFACIAL REGION
CHAMBER FLOW
Figure 2.2. Sketch of Unsteady Combustion of a Solid Propellant. The essential features of the combustion processes dominating the behavior just described have long been known. Figure 2.2 is an idealized sketch showing the main characteristics of a burning composite propellant exposed to an oscillation of the chamber pressure. Ultimately it is the uctuation of velocity of gases leaving the
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combustion zone that is the essence of the mechanism. Oscillation of the ow causes the surface to appear like an acoustic speaker, a source of acoustic waves. Formally the situation is identical to a planar array of monopoles having zero-average mass ow superposed on the mean ow due to combustion. However, the uctuation of burning rate is a consequence of uctuating heat transfer so we can understand the mechanism best by examining the behavior of the temperature prole. We will treat the propellant as if it were a perfectly homogeneous isotropic material in the condensed phase, and use the one-dimensional approximation throughout, from the cold condensed solid phase to the hot combustion products. Figure 2.3 is one frame from a lm of a burning solid taken at the Naval Weapons Center, suggesting that any sort of one-dimensional approximation seems unrealistic. That is certainly true on the scale of the particle sizes (10s to 100s of microns). However, the variations of velocity and pressure in the chamber occur over distances of the order of the chamber dimensions. Hence it is appealing to suppose that for interactions between the combustion zone and the motions in the chamber, the heterogeneous character propellant can be overlooked in some sense. For example, the linear burning rate of a propellant is measured without special regard for spatial variations on the small scale of compositional inhomogeneities. No instrument is available to do otherwise. That is not to say, of course, that the burn rate and the combustion dynamics do not depend on spatial variations of the condensed material and the gas phase. Rather, we suppose that dependence in such things as the size distribution of oxidizer particles is accounted for by some sort of averaging procedure. Thus, parameters appearing in the nal results, such as A and B in the QSHOD model discussed here, must depend on, for example, an average particle size. No rules exist for the averaging, but recently impressive progress has been made for computed steady burning rates using a \random packing" model (Kochevets and Buckmaster, 2001). In all of the discussion here we adhere to the one-dimensional approximation with no attention paid to the possible errors incurred. In any case it seems a good assumption that if the averaging process is good, any errors are likely to be less than uncertanties arising in other parts of the problem, e.g. material properties. The mechanism in question here is, broadly speaking, primarily a matter of combustion dynamics. It has become customary to represent the mechanism quantitatively as an admittance or response function. We use the latter here, dened generally as the uctuation of mass ow rate of gases departing the combustion zone to the imposed uctuation of either the pressure or the velocity. Thus the response function for pressure uctuations (referred to as the \response to pressure coupling") is dened in dimensionless form as R , R = m0 =m p0 =p (2.1)
where ( )0 means uctuation and ( ) is an average value. The average value m represents the average inow of mass due to the propellant burning. In almost all applications, the uctuations are steady sinusoidal oscillations, written as m ^ m0 = ei!t m m (2.2)a,b p i!t ^ p0 = e p p and m=m ^ R = (2.3) p=p ^ where (^) denotes the amplitude of the oscillation, including both magnitude and phase. Because generally the oscillations of mass ux rate are not in phase with the pressure oscillations, the function Rp is complex, the real part representing that part of m0 =m that is in phase with the pressure oscillation. Although the response function for pressure coupling is most commonly used, there is a second response function, that associated with velocity coupling, which under some practical circumstances is far more important. At this point we conne our remarks to the response function for pressure coupling. A simple interpretation of the response function explains its importance to combustion instabilities. According to the denition (2.3), a pressure oscillation having amplitude p=p produces the oscillation m=m of mass ow into ^ ^
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the chamber p ^ m ^ = R (2.4) m p Viewed from the chamber, the boundary appears then to oscillate. The apparent motion is entirely analogous to that of a speaker or piston mounted at the boundary. Thus pressure waves are generated in a fashion similar to that of a loudspeaker in a room. Through a complicated sequence of processes whose details are not germane here, those waves coalesce and combine with the original pressure waves causing the uctuations of mass ux. Whether or not that merging process augments or subtracts from the existing wave system in the chamber depends on the phase between m and p. The part of m in-phase with p increases the amplitude of the wave system and is ^ ^ ^ ^ therefore destabilizing. For a particular motor, the tendency for combustion dynamics to drive instabilities is proportional to the integral of Rp over the entire area of burning surface. Hence it is clearly essential to know the response function for the propellant used.
Figure 2.3. View of the Surface of a Burning Solid Propellant Containing Aluminum. Traditional composite propellants using ammonium perchlorate as oxidizer, as well as advanced propellants using higher energy oxidizers and binder, burn in qualitatively similar fashion. The interface between the condensed and gas phases is fairly well dened, may be dry or wet, and may exhibit local dynamical activity owing to the presence of solid particles and responsive collections of liquid pools or drops. The dynamics of the interfacial region is particularly noticeable in microcinematography when the propellant contains aluminum. The metal collects in molten droplets, mobile and ignitable on the surface; those not fully consumed are carried away by the gaseous products of the interface. The high temperature at the surface is sustained by a balance between heat ow away from the interface, required to heat the cool propellant advancing to the surface; energy required to eect the phase changes at and near the interface; and the heat transfer supplied to the interfacial region from the combustion zone in the gas phase. It's a delicate balance, easily disturbed by changes in the chemical processes in the interfacial region, particularly within the subsurface region in the condensed phase. Figure 2.4 is a sketch of the temperature eld, showing also the possible consequences of additional exothermic reactions in the sub-surface condensed phase. Note that in this gure we imagine that the temperature exists in a spatially averaged sense. Local variations on the scale of oxidizer particles are smeared out in the averaging procedure and explicit eects of inhomogeneities are absent.
Tf Tf
To
Ts
To
Ts
xf
x1 xf
(a) Flame Front
(b) Distributed Combustion
Figure 2.4. Representation of the Temperature Field in a Burning Solid Propellant. The essentials of the behavior represented macroscopically by response functions can be described as a sequence of elementary steps, described here in simplied form with reference to Figure 2.4:
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(i) Suppose that for some reason the rate of reactions in the combustion zone increases-perhaps due to a uctuation of pressure, or temperature, or to increased local mixing associated with greater intensity of turbulence locally in the chamber. (ii) Increased reaction rates produce a rise in the rate of energy release and an increase of temperature of the combustion zone. (iii) Due both to radiation and heat conduction, the heat transfer from the combustion zone to the interfacial region increases, having at least two possible consequences: the temperature at the surface is increased; and the rate at which condensed material is converted to gas is also increased. (iv) Because the temperature in the interfacial region rises, so also does the heat ow to the subsurface region and further into the solid, tending to cool the interface. (v) If there are subsurface reactions, the heat ow will tend to increase their rate, with consequences depending on the associated energy release (or absorption) rate. (vi) Exothermic subsurface reactions will act to maintain higher temperature locally, thereby encouraging the conversion of condensed material to gas at the interface, but also tending to increase the heat ow to the cooler solid. (vii) The net result may be that if the uctuation of heat ow, and reduction of temperature, at the interface does not happen too quickly, the enhanced reaction rate assumed in Step (i) may produce a uctuation of mass ow leaving the surface, that is in phase with the initial perturbation. Hence in this event the entire process is destabilizing in the sense that the initial disturbance has the result that the disturbed mass ow into the chamber tends to augment that initial disturbance. Whether or not the preceding sequence will be destabilizing depends entirely on details of the processes involved. Notably, if sub-surface reactions are endothermic, then the sequence (v){(vii) leads to the conclusion that the reactions may cause the propellant combustion to be less sensitive to disturbances. The model we will analyze rst is the simplest possible capturing a dominant contribution to the combustion dynamics. Only unsteady heat transfer in the condensed phase causes true dynamical behavior, i.e. dependence of the response to pressure coupling. That process must in any case be present. This problem (model) is therefore the reference always used to assess the possible inuences of other dynamical processes, in particular, those in the gas phase and decomposition in the condensed phase. The substance of the model is dened by the following assumptions: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) quasi-steady behavior of all processes except unsteady conductive heat transfer in the condensed phase; homogeneous and constant material properties, non-reacting condensed phase; one-dimensional variations in space; conversion of condensed material to gas phase at an innitesimally thin interface.
The acronym QSHOD for this model derives from the ve letters in assumptions (i){(iii). During the early years of this subject, from the mid-1950s to the mid-1960s, roughly ten analyses of the response function were published in the Western literature, giving apparently distinct results. Culick (1968) showed that, due to the fact that all of the models were based in the same set of assumptions (i){(iv), the results were dynamically identical. That is, all had the same dependence on frequency and, with appropriate values for the various parameters involved, give coincident numerical values. Hence the term QSHOD is a useful term referring to a class of models. Dierences between the models are associated with dierent detailed models of the steady processes, notably the ame structure in the gas phase. A dierent approach to compute the combustion response was taken by Zel'dovitch (1942) in Russia and elaborated in great depth by Novozhilov (1965, 1973, 1996). The result has come to be known as the Z-N model. The Z-N representation of the response has certain distinct advantages, most importantly giving convenient connections between the parameters in the response function and quantities easily measured in steady combustion. The idea is explained in Section 2. 2.2. Analysis of the QSHOD Model. Analysis of the model sketched in Figure 2.2 amounts to quantitative representation of the sequence (i){(iv). Even in the simplest form described here, the problem is too
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complicated for a closed form solution. Apart from recent results obtained numerically for the entire region, covering the cold solid to the hot combustion products the usual procedure, familiar in many problems of this sort, is based on solutions found for the separate regions dened above, and matched the results at the interfaces. The solutions and the matching conditions are based on the one-dimensional equations of motion. In the approach taken here, the interfaces move, a feature that must be correctly incorporated in the analysis. The following remarks are based on the review cited above, Culick (1968). Since that time much work has been done to determine the consequences of relaxing the assumptions on which the following analysis (the QSHOD model) is based. We will later examine some of those ideas. In this section we assume that the combustion proceeds as transformation of a condensed phase at a single at interface to the gas phase, requiring that solutions be matched at only one interface. We choose a reference system with origin (x = 0) xed2 to the average position of the interface. Hence the cold unreacted solid material progresses inward from the lift. Figure 2.5 shows this denition and the matching conditions that must be satised at the interface. Note that the velocity xs of the _ interface appears explicitly in these conditions and is to be determined as part of the solution to the complete problem.
vp = m/p p (vp - xs) xs
VELOCITIES
(vg - xs)
MASS FLUX
T x s-
T x s+
ENERGY BALANCE
p (vp - xs) (cTs +H p + Qg )
(vg - xs) (cp Ts + Qg)
Figure 2.5. Reference System and Matching Conditions for the QSHOD Model. For the simple model used here, the analysis involves only three steps: solution for the temperature eld in the solid phase; solution for the temperature eld in the gas phase; and matching the two solutions at the interface. Because the temperature eld is central to the analysis, the nal results should correctly be regarded as a thermal theory of steady and unsteady combustion of a solid propellant. No diusive contributions are accounted for and the pressure is uniform throughout the region considered: the momentum of the ow does not enter the problem. (a) Solid Phase The energy equation for the temperature in the solid phase assumed to have uniform and constant properties, is @T @T @2T _ mc (2.5) p c = Qd @x2 @x @t where ( ) means time-averaged value; ( )p denotes propellant; c is the specic heat of the solid; m = p r is the _ average mass ux in the reference system dened in Figure 2.5; and Qd is the rate at which energy is released per _ _ d > 0 for exothermic decomposition). We assume Qd = 0 here unit volume due to decomposition of the solid (Q an assumption to be relaxed in Section 2. It is convenient to use the dimensionless variables T r (2.6) p = x ; = c Ts p
the reference frame may be xed to the instantaneous position of the surface and therefore is not an inertial frame for the unsteady problem. For the linear problem, it is easy to show the equivalence of the results obtained with the two choices of reference systems. If more than three regions are treated|e.g. when an additional decomposition zone is included in the condensed phase|it may be more convenient to take xs = 0 and account for the motions of the remaining interfaces.
2 Alternatively,
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where values at the interface are identied by subscript s and p = p =p c is the thermal diusivity of the propellant. Equation (2.5) becomes @ p p @ @2 2 =0 2 @ @p m c @t (2.7)
Solution to (2.7) with the time derivative dropped gives the formula for the normalized mean temperature = c + (1 c )ep (2.8)
satisfying the conditions = s = 1 at the surface and c = Tc =T s far upstream (T = Tc ) in the cold propellant. For harmonic motions, with = + 0 and3 0 = ei!t , being the amplitude, a complex function of ^ ^ position in the solid material. Substitution in (2.7) leads to the equation for (p ), easily solved to give ^ 0 = 0 ep ei!t ^ where satises the relation and is the important dimensionless frequency, ( 1) = i (2.10) (2.9)
p p p ! = 2! (2.11) m2 c r In order that 0 ! 0 for x ! 1, the solution of (2.10) with positive real part must be used; = r ir and i1=2 1 1 h r = 1 + p (1 + 162 )1=2 + 1 2 2 (2.12)a,b i 1 h 2 1=2 i = p (1 + 16 ) 1 2 2 = Due to the choice of reference system, in (2.9) is the uctuation of temperature at the average position ^ of the interface (p = 0). However, matching conditions at the interface requires values and derivatives of the temperature at the interface itself, having position xs and velocity xs . Values at the interface are calculated with _ Taylor series expansions about x = 0; only the rst order terms are retained for the linear problem, and on the solid side of the interface4 : 2 dT dT dT d T T s (xs ) = T (0) + xs ; = + xs dx 0 dx s dx 0 dx2 0 (2.13) 0 0 2 0 @T @T @T @ T 0 0 Ts (xs ) = T0 (0) + xs ; = + xs dx 0 @x s @x 0 @x2 0 Hence the required results for the upstream side of the interface cannot be completed until the interfacial region is analyzed. (b) Interfacial Region Three relations govern the behavior at the interface: conservation of mass and energy, and the law for conversion of solid to gas. The rst two are established by considering a small control volume placed about the true burning surface, as sketched in Figure 2.5. The volume is then collapsed to give \jump" conditions associated with the total unsteady mass and energy transfer in the upstream (s) and downstream (s+) sides of the interface: gs m0 p xs m0 _ s = 1 s m ps m m (2.14)a,b p xs _ @T @T = p +m 1 (Ls ) g @x s+ @x s m
3 Note that consistently throughout these notes we use the negative exponential, exp(i!t). In some of the literature the positive exponential is used, so care must be taken when making comparisons of results. 4 The temperature is continuous at the interface, but on x = 0, the uctuations T 0 0 0 and T0+ computed from the solutions for the solid and gas phase need not be continuous.
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The mean gas density near the surface is much smaller than the density of the condensed phase, for cases of current interest, so the term =p 1 will hereafter be dropped. For an exothermic surface reaction, the change Ls = hs+ hs of the enthalpy is positive and may be viewed as a `latent heat'. The heat uxes [p @T =@x]s and [g @T =@x]s+ are respectively ows of heat from the interface to the condensed phase and to the interface from the gas phase. An Arrhenius law has commonly been assumed for the conversion of solid to gas, giving the total surface mass ux ms = Bpns eEs =R0 Ts To rst order in small quantities, the perturbed form of (2.15) is p0 m0 s 0 = Eei!1 s + ns ei!2 (2.16) m p where E = Es =R0 Ts is the dimensionless activation energy for the surface reaction. Time delays or lags 1 and 2 are included in (2.16), but presently there is no way to compute them; hence they will largely be ignored here except for some results given in Section 2.6. For steady combustion, the energy balance (2.14)b, with (2.8) substituted for dT =dx, becomes dT = m c T s Tc + Ls g dx s+ The linear unsteady part of (2.14)b is 0 0 @T @T 0 g = p + m0 Ls + m(cp c)Ts s @x s+ @x s (2.15)
(2.17)
(2.18)
Combination of (2.8) and (2.9) and the appropriate parts of (2.13) gives the formula for the heat transfer into the condensed phase from the interface: 0 m0 @T 1 s 0 p = mc Ts + T s Tc (2.19) @x s m In this result, the approximation in (2.14)a has been used. Substitution of (2.19) in (2.18) leads to the boundary condition to be set on the unsteady temperature at the downstream side of the interface: 0 c Ls m0 1 @T p s 0 0 g = mc Ts + T s Tc + 1 Ts + (2.20) @x s+ c c m This results contains two assumptions: (i) g =p 1 (x = xs ) (ii) nonreacting condensed phase having constant and uniform properties Normally, the rst is reasonable. However, the second is restrictive, possibly seriously so according to some analyses; see Section 2.5. The important point is that (2.20) explicitly contains the transient behavior (the dynamics) associated with unsteady heat transfer in a benign solid material. If no further dynamics is attributed to the processes at the interface or in the gas phase, then the response function found with this analysis reects only the dynamics of unsteady heat transfer in the condensed phase. That is the QSHOD result. Hence it is apparent that the form of the dependence of the response function in frequency will necessarily in this case be independent of the model chosen for the quasi-static behavior of the gas phase. The details of the model selected will aect only the particular values of parameters appearing in the formula for the response function. Thus, to complete the analysis, it is best at this stage to choose the simplest possibility. We assume that the thermal conductivity is uniform in the gas phase and that the combustion processes (i.e. the rate of energy release per unit volume) are also uniform in a region beginning some distance from the interface and extending downstream, ending at a location, that is, by denition, the edge of the ame zone. This is a useful model containing two simple limits: uniform combustion beginning at the interface; and a ame sheet, obtained by
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letting the thickness of the combustion zone become innitesimally thin. Figure 2.6 is a sketch of the model. Analysis of the model for steady burning was given by Culick (1969) with the following results.
Tf
Ti Ts Tc
Uniform Combustion
x=0
x = xi
x = xf
Figure 2.6. Sketch of the Model of a Solid Propellant Burning with Uniform Combustion in the Gas Phase. The governing equation for this thermal theory is dT dT d mcp _ g = g Qf s dx dx dx
(2.21)
where Qf is the energy released per unit mass of reactant mixture (assumed to be constant), g is the local gas density and s is the local rate of reaction. At the downstream edge of the combustion zone, the boundary _ conditions are dT T = Tf ; (2.22)a,b = 0 (x = xf ) dx where Tf is the adiabatic ame temperature. On the interface, T = Ts and the energy balance at the interface gives dT = m c T s Tc + Ls g dx s+ For steady combustion, consideration of the energy ow across the gas phase gives dT g = m [Qf cp (Tf Ts )] dx s+ (2.23)
(2.24)
(2.25)
On the other hand, integration of (2.21) across the combustion zone, and application of the boundary conditions (2.22)a,b and (2.23) leads to Z 1 dT g = g Qf sdx mcp (Tf Ts ) _ (2.26) dx s+ 0 Because Qf is constant, comparison of (2.25) and (2.26) leads to the requirement on the overall reaction rate Z 1 g sdx = m _ (2.27)
0
We assume g constant (an assumption that is easily relaxed) and transform from x to the dimensionless variable : mcp =e x (2.28) g
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The energy equation (2.21) becomes 2 where the eigenvalue 2 is 2 = and _ w = g (2.31) Generally, of course, and hence w and therefore 2 are dependent at least on temperature, so 2 is implicitly a _ function of . However, we assume 2 constant, dening the condition of uniform combustion. Then with i the value of at the beginning of the combustion zone (where ignition is assumed to occur) and f the value at the downstream edge of the ame, the rst integral of (2.29) gives f i dT = (2.32) 2 d s+ f i Thus dT g dx
s+
d2 T = 2 d 2 g Qf w m2 c2 Ts p
(2.29)
(2.30)
g Qf = cp
1 1 i f
w m
(2.33)
For f i , and in the limit of combustion beginning at the solid/gas interface so i = 1, g Qf w dT g = dx s+ cp m
(2.34)
The assumption of quasi-steady behavior implies that the uctuation of heat transfer at the surface is given simply by the linearized form of (2.33): 0 0 w m0 dT g = mcp T s 2 (2.35) dx s+ w m We also nd as the linearized form of (2.25): 0 dT = m0 Qf cp T f T s mcp T f T s g dx s+ This equation gives a formula for the uctuation of ame temperature, 0 m0 Qf 1 dT 0 0 Tf = Ts + Tf Ts g m cp mcp dx s+
(2.36)
(2.37)
0 Substitution of (2.35) for the last term gives the formula for computing Tf when the combustion is uniform. 0 In general, Tf is not equal to the local uctuation of temperature due to acoustical motions in the gas phase, the dierence appearing the temperature uctuation associated with an entropy wave carried by the mean ow departing the combustion zone.
By letting i ! f , the corresponding results can be obtained for a ame sheet; see Culick (1969; 2002). We will consider here only the case of nite combustion zone; the response functions found for the two cases dier only in small details. To progress further, we must specify the form of w = g s; the reaction rate per unit volume. For the quasi_ steady part of the processes, we assume that the mass ow provided by the surface is well-approximated by the Arrhenius law (2.15) and its uctuation is (2.16) with zero time delays, m0 p0 T0 = E s + ns (2.38) m p Ts Due to the assumption of quasi-steady behavior, this formula represents the uctuation of mass ow throughout the gas phase.
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Finally, we need an explicit form for w as a function of the ow variables. To construct a consistent formula for the reaction rate in the gas phase, we equate the two results for heat transfer to the interface during steady burning: (2.24), the energy balance generally valid at the interface; and (2.34) found for the special case of uniform combustion. We nd the expression for w: cp w= m2 c T s Tc + Ls (2.39) g Qf We assume that the right-hand side can be written as a function of pressure only by approximating the pyrolysis law m = a(Ts )pn as so m = apn = b(Ts Tc )s pns Ts Tc = Then (2.39) becomes a b pnns 1 s (2.40)
(2.41)
cp a nns 1 s n 2 (ap ) c + Ls w= p g Qf b T 1 T c c p0 w0 s = w w 2 cp p g Qf w m2 c2 Ts p
(2.42)
The uctuation w0 of the reaction rate is then
(2.43)
where 2 is given by (2.30) for the steady problem, 2 = and (2.44)
cp 1 ns n w = 2(1 + H) + c c Ls H= c(T s Tc )
(2.45)a,b
Instead of the calculations leading from (2.34) to (2.43) one could as well simply assune w0 p0 . The only purpose of these remarks is to give an example of relating uctuations of the reaction rate to the pressure for a well-dened model of combustion in the gas phase. (c) Construction of the Response Function We nd the formula for the response function in the following way: (i) Substitute the pyrolysis law (2.38) in (2.20) which combines the interfacial conditions for energy and mass transfer: 1 mcT s where L= Ls cT s (2.47)a,b ! ! 0 0 T 0 1 T c p0 Ts A Ts cp LA @T s g = + + + ns L + 1+ T @x st Ts c p 1 Tc T s
s
(2.46)
Tc Es A = (1 )(s + ) Ts Ro T s
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(ii) Substitute the reaction rate (2.43) into the expression (2.35) for the heat loss from the gas phase: 1 mcT s 0 Tc p0 cp m0 @T = 1 g w 2 @x st p c m Ts (2.48)
0 (iii) Equation (2.46) and (2.48), use the pyrolysis law to eliminate Ts =T s ; this step leaves an equation which can be rearranged to give the ratio dened to be the response function for pressure coupling:
(iv) Write (2.49) in the form
cp AW + c ns + ns ( 1) m0 =m cp Rp = 0 = cp p =p + A + c E2 HA + c 1 c1 + ns ( 1) + A + c2
(2.49)
Rp =
(2.50)
For the assumed steady burning rate law, m = apn , the uctuation can be written Rp = m0 =m =n p0 =p (2.51)
Thus in the limit of zero frequency ( = 1), the right-hand side of (2.50) must equal n, giving the condition c1 =n 1 + A + c2 Dene B with c1 = nB and c2 = B (1 + A) Hence (2.50) becomes Rp = nB + ns ( 1) + A (1 + A) + B (2.52)
5 4 3 2
Rb
1 0 -1 -2 -3 -1 10
Real Part Imaginary part

0 1 2
10
10
10
Figure 2.7. Real and Imaginary Parts of a QSHOD Response Function Computed with Equation 2.52. Figure 2.7 shows typical results for the real and imaginary parts of this formulas when ns = 0. Experimental results given in the following section have long established that the QSHOD model captures a major contribution to the dynamical behavior, due to unsteady heat transfer in the condensed phase. Thus it is important to inderstand the preceding analysis. However, even with the large experimental errors associated with all current
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experimental methods, it seems there is little doubt that other dynamical processes cannot be ignored for many propellants, especially in the range of frequencies above that where the broad peak of the real part of Rb appears. 2.3. Measurements of the Response Function; Comparison of Experimental Results and the QSHOD Model. For more than forty years, measurement of the response function has been the most important task is research on combustion instabilities in solid rockets. Without accurate data, the truth of theoretical results cannot be assessed; predictions and interpretations of instabilities in motors are uncertain; and the ability to screen propellants for optional behavior is seriously compromised. Unfortunately no entirely satisfactory method exists for accurate measurements of the combustion response, irrespective of cost. Two recent reports of extended programs (Caltech MURI, 2002 and UIUC MURI, 2002) have led to this conclusion after ve years' investigation of the ve main existing methods: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) T-burner ultrasonic apparatus laser recoil method magnetohydrodynamic method microwave technique
A sixth method based on using a burner (e.g. an L* burner) in which bulk oscillations are excited, was not investigated, partly because it is intrinsically limited to low frequencies. It is not our purpose here to review these methods; see the two MURI reports; Couty (1999) and references contained in those works for all discussions of all but the last. The microwave technique was introduced in the 1970's and has been continually improved, but the accuracy of the data remains inadequate, particularly for metallized propellants for which the method is useless under some conditions. The central question for modeling and theory is: how good is the agreement between predicted and measured values? It appears that the rst extensive comparison for this purpose were carried out many years ago (Beckstead and Culick, 1971) soon after the recognition that all the available models/analyses were equivalent to the QSHOD (A,B) model. With only two parameters available to adjust the theoretical results to t data, the task of comparing theory and experiment became manageable. At that time, only T-burner data were available. Figures 2.8 and 2.9 show two results.
Figure 2.8. The real part of the response function vs. the non-dimensional frequency, t !=r2 for A-13 propellant: the solid curve is calculated from the QSHOD formula for the values of A and B shown; the dashed curves represent the T-burner data at the indicated pressures. (Beckstead and Culick 1969). One purpose of the report by Beckstead and Culick was to combine the formula for the QSHOD response function with results obtained from analyses of the T-burner and the L*-burner to obtain formulas for the
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Figure 2.9. The real part of the response function vs. the non-dimensional frequency for A-35 propellant; the curves were calculated from the QSHOD formula. (Beckstead and Culick 1969). parameters A and B in terms of measurable quantities. The main conclusion was that unique values of A and B could not be obtained for a given propellant tested at a chosen value of operating pressure. Consequently, large dierences existed between the data and curves of the sort shown in Figure 2.7. Since that time, many examples of using the A, B model to t data have been given. Most, if not all, approach the matter as a two-parameter (A and B) curve tted to data for the real part of the response function only. Strictly, that tactic is incorrect and could produce misleading results. The proper approach requires that the two-parameter representation be used to t simultaneously the real and imaginary parts of the response function. There are also cases in which investigators have failed to respect the distinction between the response function Rp m0 =p0 and the admittance function Ap u0 =p0 dened for velocity uctuations. Without attention to both of those points, any comparisons between data and a model are suspect. Despite those common deciencies, there is no doubt that the QSHOD model cannot and does not represent the dynamics of actual propellants. One would anticipate even without experimental results that the assumption of quasi-steady behavior in the gas phase must fail at high frequencies, commonly believed to be around 1000 Hertz and higher. Moreover, observations of steady combustion have shown that important decomposition processes take place in the sub-surface zone near the interface of most propellants. Hence at least two improvements of the QSHOD model should be made. Before examining examples of more complicated models, we review the essentials of another approach to deriving the QSHOD model, the Z-N model. 2.4. The Zel'dovich-Novozhilov (Z-N) Model . Zel'dovich (1942) was rst to consider true combustion dynamics for solid propellants. He was concerned with problems of transient burning|i.e. what happens to combustion of a propellant when the impressed pressure is changed rapidly|but now explicitly with the response function. Novozhilov (1965) later used Zel'dovich's basic ideas to nd a formula for the response of a burning propellant to sinusoidal oscillations of pressure. The result has exactly the same dependence on frequency as the QSHOD model, i.e. it is identical with the formula obtained by Denison and Baum four years earlier. The Z-N model incorporates quasi-steady behavior of the burning in a clever and instructive fashion. Moreover, the parameters|there are, of course two corresponding to A and B in the QSHOD model|are so dened as to be assigned values from measurements of steady combustion of the propellant in question. Hence there is no need to become enmeshed in the details of modeling the combustion processes in the gas phase. If the measurements could be done accurately, it would be possible to obtain good predictions of the combustion response for propellants, subject of course to all the assumptions built into the QSHOD model. Unfortunately, the required quantities are dicult to measure accurately. Conrmation of the results still requires measurements of both the real and imaginary parts of the response function.
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The condensed phase and interfacial region are treated as described in Section 2.2 for the QSHOD model. Instead of detailed analysis of the gas phase, that is, construction of a \ame model", the assumption of quasisteady behavior is applied by using relations among the properties of steady combustion, the burning rate and the surface temperature as functions of the initial temperature of the cold propellant and the operating pressure: m = m(Tc ; p) (2.53)a,b Ts = Ts (Tc ; p) The assumption is also made that these functions are known suciently accurately that their derivatives can also be formed, introducing the four parameters @ ln m = @ ln p Tc 1 @T s = T s Tc @ ln p Tc (2.54)a,b,c,d @ ln m k = T s Tc @Tc p @T s rZN = @Tc p Subscript ZN is attached to r to distinguish it from the linear burning rate. It is not apparent from the remarks here why the four parameters (2.54)a,b are signicant in this theory. Recall from Section 2.2 that the sole reason for analyzing a model of combustion in the gas phase was to produce a formula for the heat feedback, g (@T =@x)s+ , to the interface. That is the central problem here as well: to nd the heat feedback from considerations of steady combustion and assume (the quasi-steady approximation) that the form of the result holds under unsteady conditions. The trick is to work out the relation between the feedback and the properties of steady combustion. It is in that process that the parameters (2.54)a{d appear. The formula for the response function corresponding to (2.52) is usually written (e.g. Cozzi, DeLuca and Novozhilov 1999) Rp = where + ( 1) 1 rZN ( 1) + k 1 + 1 = rZN k (2.55)
(2.56)
Comparison of (2.52) and (2.55) gives the formulas connecting the parameters in the two formulations: 1 k ; B = ; n = ; ns = A= rZN k rZN
(2.57)
Much emphasis has been placed in the Russian literature on the \boundary of intrinsic stability", the locus of values of (A,B), or (k; rZN ) for which the denominator of (2.55) vanishes. Under those conditions, the propellant burn rate suers a nite perturbation in the limit of a vanishingly small change of pressure. Hence, from measured values of and rZN , one can infer how close an actual propellant is to that stability boundary. With these models, the opportunity exists to use experimental results to determine how accurately the QSHOD approximations capture the combustion dynamics of solid propellants: (1) measure ; ; k; rZN from tests of steady combustion; (2) measure the real and imaginary parts of Rp ; (3) compute Rp from (2.52) or (2.55) and compare with (2) There seem to be no published reports of results for this procedure.
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2.5. Revisions and Extensions of the QSHOD Model. As we have already noted in Section 2.3, even with the large uncertainties accompanying the experimental results obtained with current methods, it is clear that the QSHOD model does not capture some important dynamical processes. Considerable eort has been devoted to improving the model, with a certain amount of success, but unfortunately the deciencies in the experimental procedures still prevent denitive identication of the most signicant contributions. Attention has been given to all three of the regions sketched in Figure 2.2. It is important to recognize that simply changing the model for steady combustion|for example including a nite zone of decomposition in the solid phase|will not change the form of the QSHOD result. Any additional spatial zones or processes must also contain new dynamics, a lesson the author learned the hard way (Culick 1969). Here we will only cite a few of the recent works without giving details of the analyses. To be possibly unseemly parochial, Section 2.6 contains a more extensive, but brief description of recent work at Caltech. 2.5.1. Additional Dynamics in the Condensed Phase. It seems that three types of processes have been considered: 1) temperature-dependent thermal properties; 2) phase transitions; and 3) decomposition zones. Louwers and Gadiot (1999) have reported results for numerical calculations based on a model of HNF. Melting at some interface within the condensed phase is accounted for, as well as energy released by sub-surface reactions. Combustion in the gas phase is also treated numerically. The computed response functions also show that the (r) new processes may increase the values of Rp by as much as 10{30% and more in the frequency range above the peak. The peak value is unchanged. Brewster and his students at the University of Illinois have produced a number of interesting works treating additional dynamics related to chemical processes in the condensed phase and at the interface (Zebrowski and Brewster, 1996; Brewster and Son, 1995). Gusachenko, Zarko and Rychkov (1999) have investigated the eects of melting in the response function, nding quite signicant consequences. Lower melting temperatures and larger energy absorption in the melt layer increase the magnitude of the response function. Cozzi, DeLuca and Novozhilov (1999) worked out an extension of the Z-N method to account for phase transition at an innitesimally thin interface in the condensed phase. The analysis includes new dynamics by allowing dierent properties of the thermal waves on the two sides of the interface. Additional heat release is allowed only at the interface of the transition and with conversion of condensed material to gaseous products. They found that the response function is increased by exothermic reaction at the internal interface and by reduced temperature of the phase transition. 2.5.2. Additional Dynamics in the Gas Phase. DeLuca (1990; 1992) has given thorough reviews of the various models used for the dynamics of the gas phase. Most, however, involve no dynamics, so there are no eects on the dependence of the response function on frequency. Truly dynamical eects are covered in the next section. 2.6. Modeling the Eects of Velocity Coupling on the Global Dynamics of Combustion Chambers. The research summarized in this section has been reported in a Ph.D. Thesis (Isella, 2001) and in three publications (Culick, Isella and Seywert, 1998; Isella and Culick, 2000a; 2000b). Chiey two general problems have been addressed: 1) develop a simple general analysis of the combustion dynamics of a solid propellant that will conveniently accommodate models of the relevant chemical and physical processes, especially those in the interfaced region; and 2) investigate the inuences of changes in the combustion response function on observable features of the combustor dynamics, particularly properties of limit cycles.
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Both of these problems were chosen to try to determine answers to the question: what properties of a solid propellant are responsible for the often observed sensitivity of the dynamics of a solid rocket to apparently small (sometimes not well-known) changes in the composition of the propellant. The main conclusions are: (i) small changes in the composition and thermodynamic properties of a propellant have signicant consequences for dynamical behavior due to pressure coupling only if the propellant is burning near its intrinsic instability boundary; and (ii) on the contrary the dynamics due to velocity coupling is evidently signicantly sensitive to small compositional changes. If these conclusions are true, then future work in the area of combustion instabilities must include intensive attention to modeling and measuring the combustion dynamics-i.e. the response function-associated with velocity coupling. 2.6.1. The Model Framework. One important purpose of the work cited above was to construct a framework within which it should be possible easily to investigate the consequences of various processes participating in the combustion of a solid. Representation of the combustion dynamics must be in a form required for analyzing the global dynamics (Section 3.2). The simplest approach is an extension of the well-known one-dimensional analysis producing the QSHOD response function for pressure coupling (Culick, 1968; Beckstead et al., 1969; T'ien, 1972; among many works). Others have followed a similar tack (e.g. Louwers and Gadiot, 1999); the main novel aspect of this work is inclusion simultaneously of surface physical dynamics (e.g. due to mobility of liquid or solid particles); dynamics, rather than quasi-steady behavior, of the gas phase; and an elementary representation of velocity coupling. On the submillimeter scale, a burning solid is heterogeneous both in the region adjacent to the interface and in the gas phase where much of the conversion to products takes place. The ow eld in the chamber, in particular the unsteady acoustic eld, has spatial variations normally the order of centimeters and larger. The dynamics of the combustion processes at the surface are formally accommodated as a boundary condition, a response function of some sort, in the analytical framework for the global dynamics. Hence the vast dierence in characteristic scales is accommodated, in principle, by spatially averaging the combustion dynamics. The averaging is done over a surface in some sense far from the interface so far as the propellant combustion is concerned, but practically at the interface so far as the eld within the chamber is concerned. In that way, the results of solution to the \inner" problem of combustion dynamics in the surface region are used as the boundary conditions for solution to the \outer" problem of the unsteady ow eld in the chamber. We are not concerned here with the matter of spatial averaging: we assume it can be done, not necessarily an easy or obvious process. It's an important part of the general problem. Therefore we proceed from the beginning with a one-dimensional analysis. The spatial framework for the model shown in Figure 2.10.
x =0 x
2 1
r (t)
Solid Phase
Gas Phase
Surface Layer
Combustion Zone
Figure 2.10. Spatial Denition of the Model The strategy of the analysis is not novel and has been used in many previous works: solve the relevant equations, or postulate a model, governing the behavior in each of the three regions: solid phase; surface layer; and gas phase, including the region called `combustion zone' in Figure 2.10. A major purpose of the analysis
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has been to determine the quantitative eects of the dynamics in the surface layer and gas phase in the response function found from the QSHOD model. Hence throughout the work we assume the same model for the solid phase: the dynamics is due to unsteady heat transfer in a homogeneous material having uniform and constant properties. Separate solutions or representations are obtained for each of the three regions. Unspecied constants or functions are then eliminated by satisfying boundary conditions and applying matching conditions at the two interfaces. Initially we intended, or hoped, to nd such a form for the general behavior that dierent models for the surface layer and gas phase could easily be substituted and their consequences assessed. That goal has not been realized and probably is unattainable. Results require detailed numerical calculations before interesting information is obtained. 2.6.2. Models of the Surface Layer. From the beginning of this work we anticipated, because the dynamics of the gas phase are fast (owing to the relatively low material density), that the dynamics of the surface region should have greater eect on the combustion response function. We investigated two models of the region: (i) rst order dynamics represented by a constant time lag; and (ii) unsteady heat transfer, with material properties dierent from those in the solid phase. The idea of using a time lag is of course an old one, having been used by Grad (1949) in the rst analysis of combustion instabilities, and later by Cheng (1982) as part of the Princeton group's extensive investigations (nearly a technical love aair) of time lag representations of unsteady combustion. The result in the present work, for the uctuation of mass ux is m0 =m eit = Rp q 0 =p p 1 + (t)2 where Rp (sometimes written as Rb ) is the response function found in the QSHOD theory. Thus Rp has the familiar two-parameter (A,B) representation. The dimensionless frequency is = !=F 2 is the thermal diusivity and r is the linear burning rate and is the dimensionless time lag, equal to the physical time lag divided by =r2 . Figure 2.11 shows a typical result (A = 14; B = 0.85; = 1.5). The graphs illustrate clearly a basic problem with a time lag theory: if the time lag is assumed constant (i.e. independent of frequency) the response (in this case the real part) possesses an oscillatory behavior with period increasing with frequency. Such behavior has never been observed.
5 4 3 2 1 0
QS, AB form
Rp
QS, plus time delay

-1 -2 -3 -4 -1 10
10
10
Figure 2.11. QSHOD Response Function with a Time lag: Thick Line, QSHOD Theory; Thin Line, QSHOD Model Including a Surface Layer Having First Order (time lag) Dynamics.
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It is true that any response function can be written in a form showing a time lag behavior, but in general the time lag varies with frequency (Culick, 1968). If the physical model is suciently detailed, the dependence of t on frequency is found as part of the solution. In particular, the QSHOD theory gives () such that the amplitude of the response function decays smoothly for frequencies higher than that at which the single peak occurs. The second model for the surface is the only one considered for the following results. It is a simple representation of the dynamical behavior making use of the same solution as that for the homogeneous solid phase, with two dierences: (i) the uniform and constant properties are dierent from those of the condensed solid material; (ii) the solution is forced to satisfy matching conditions of continuous temperature and heat transfer at the interfaces with the condensed phase and the gas phase. 2.6.3. Models of the Gas Phase. In this analysis, all combustion processes are assumed to occur in the gas phase; upstream only phase changes are accounted for, assumed to take place at the interfaces. We assume distributed combustion of a simplied form, a single one-step reaction as previous treatments have used (T'ien, 1972; Huang and Micci, 1990; Lazmi and Clavin, 1992). Solutions must then be found numerically for the steady and linear unsteady temperature distributions, and subsequently matched to the solution for the surface layer. 2.6.4. Some Results for the Combustion Response Function. Many experimental results exist suggesting that the responses of actual propellants tend often to be higher than that predicted by the QSHOD model for high frequencies. Initially the strongest motivation for this work on the response function was to determine in simple and relatively crude fashion what processes might have greatest eect on the values of the pressure-coupled response at frequencies greater than that at which the peak magnitude occurs. Roughly what that means, is nding one or more processes having `resonant behavior' or characteristic times in the appropriate range. Unfortunately the analysis is suciently complicated that it has not been possible yet to deduce any explicit `rules of thumb.' Therefore we present here a few plots of computed results to illustrate the behavior. Figure 2.12 shows the basic or reference response function computed from the simple QSHOD model. The inuences of dynamics in the surface layer and gas phase will be shown relative to that reference.
5 4 3 2
Rb
1 0 -1 -2 -3 -1 10
Real Part Imaginary part

0 1 2
10
10
10
Figure 2.12. Reference Case: QSHOD Result with A = 6.0, B = 0.60.
(i) Inuence of Gas Phase Dynamics. Figure 2.13 is the result when only the dynamics in the gas phase is added to the QSHOD model. The results are similar to those found by T'ien (1972) and Lazmi and Clavin (1992), not a surprising conclusion. As expected, the dynamics of the gas phase introduce a single additional peak at a frequency higher than that of the peak caused by unsteady heat transfer in the condensed phase. (ii) Combined Inuences of the Dynamics of the Surface Layer and the Gas Phase.
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Real part of Rp Imaginary part of Rp Real part of acoustic admittance
-1
-2 0 10
10
10
10
10
Figure 2.13. Combustion Response, QSHOD Model with Gas Phase Dynamics The dynamics of the surface layer itself is the same as those of the condensed phase, but with dierent values of the dening parameters Figure 2.14 illustrates the eects of changing the surface activation energy and the material density on a function characterizing the response of heat transfer in the layer. The shape of this function diers from that (Figure 2.12) of the basic response function because it depends on the dependence of several ow variables on frequency.
7 6 5 4 Increasing Surface Activation Energy
10 Increasing Density of Surface Layer
(l = 50)
8
Real Part
(El = 4)
6 Real Part
F()
3 2 1 0 Imaginary Part
F()
-1 -2 -2 10
0 2 4 6 8
Imaginar y Part
10
10
10
10
10
-2 -2 10
10
10
10
10
10
Non-dimensional frequency
Non-dimensional frequency
Figure 2.14. Eects of Activation Energy and Density on the Dynamics of the Surface Layer.
Finally, Figure 2.15 shows the result for one example of the response function with the dynamics of both the surface layer and the gas phase accounted for. Evidently for the conditions examined here the dynamics of the gas phase has more obvious inuence on the response, in the higher frequency range, than does the surface layer. One way of summarizing the results is shown in Figure 2.16, showing the contributions to the response function by the solid (condensed) phase, the surface layer and the gas phase. The overall response function for the propellant is the product of the three contributions. 2.7. Velocity Coupling, the Combustion Response, and Global Dynamics. The research summarized in this section amounts to using some characteristics of the global combustor dynamics|the amplitudes and harmonic context of limit cycles|to draw some inferences about qualitative features of the combustion dynamics.
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1. 5
Real part of Rp Imaginary part of Rp Real part of acoustic admittance
0. 5
-0. 5
-1 0 10
10
10
10
10
Figure 2.15. Combustion Response Function Including the Dynamics of the Surface Layer and the Gas Phase.
8 6
Amplitude
Gas phase Solid phase Surface
|R | b
4 2 0 0 10
10
10
10
10
40 20
arg(R ) b
Surface Solid phase

10
1
-20 -40
Gas phase
Phase
-60 0 10
10
10
10
Figure 2.16. The Combustion Response Function Represented as Magnitudes and Phases of Individual Contributions. At the beginning of the MURI program, during completion of his dissertation, Burnley (1996) showed that rectication associated with a velocity-coupled response function having also a threshold velocity, could be responsible for nonlinear or pulsed instabilities in a solid rocket motor. This result conrmed a conclusion reached several years previously by Levine and Baum (1983). That was the rst example of using the behavior of the global dynamics as essentially a diagnostic tool to learn about the inuences of the combustion dynamics on observable phenomena.
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In the current work, the main questions at hand have to do with the apparent sensitivity of the global dynamics to small changes of propellant composition (see remarks (i) and (ii) in the introductory part of the section). We assume that small changes of composition likely have relatively small eects on the magnitude and phase of the response function. Therefore, we are really investigating the eects of small changes in the response function on the observable global dynamics. Our main conclusion is that the sensitivity of the dynamics to changes in the response associated with velocity coupling is signicantly greater than that for the response due to pressure coupling. The implications for directions in future research are substantial. Isella (2001) and Isella and Culick (2000) have reported the main results. Here we will only cite a couple of examples. The idea is to use the framework described in Section 3.2 below to compute the growth and limiting amplitudes for limit cycles. Essentially a modest parameter study has been done, the response function itself (i.e. the combustion dynamics) being the parameter. Following the tactic rst introduced by Culick, Isella and Seywert (1998), it is helpful to display the response function, as a function of frequency, and the amplitudes of the modes forming a limit cycle, as two parts of the same gure, such as Figure 2.17 prepared for a typical case for the QSHOD response function. The chamber is cylindrical, 0.6 m long, 0.025 m in diameter, operated at a chamber mean pressure equal to 1:06 107 Pa. It is the same motor considered by Culick and Yang (1992).
Re 3 5 6 1
0
Rb
0
Im
2 4
10
1
-5 10 0.4
Mode Amplitude
0.3 0.2 0.1 0
1 4 2
0 500 1000
3
1500 2000
Non-dimensional time
Figure 2.17. Results of a Simulation with a QSHOD Combustion Response (Pressure Coupling: A= 8.0, B = 0.6, n = 0.8).
Figures 2.18{2.20 show results obtained for the same motor and basic combustion response but including, respectively, a time delay; surface layer dynamics; and dynamics of both a surface layer and gas phase, all according to the analysis described above. Owing to the signicantly dierent dynamics added to the basic QSHOD model, the three examples illustrated in Figures 2.18{2.20 show quite dierent response functions|all, it must be emphasized-representing responses due to pressure coupling. The question here concerns the sensitivity of the response function to changes of composition (not the qualitative dynamics) and consequently the sensitivity of the global chamber dynamics. For the examples chosen, the waveforms in the limit cycles are similar whether or not dynamics of the surface layer and gas phase are accounted for. This result is due mainly to the substantial attenuation of higher harmonics due to particle damping (Culick and Yang, 1992). If the damping is reduced, the amplitudes and amounts of higher harmonics are substantially aected, as Figures 2.21 and 2.22 show.
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2 3 Im 1 4
0
5 6
Rb
0
Re
-5 10 0.2 10
1
Mode Amplitude
0.15 0.1 0.05 0
1 3 2
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000
Figure 2.18. Results of a Simulation Including a Time Delay ( = 1.5)
4 1 2 3
Rb
0
-5 10 0.1
0
10
Mode Amplitude
0.08 0.06 0.04 0.02 0 0
1 2 3
500 1000
4 5 6
1500
Figure 2.19. Results of a Simulation Including Dynamics of a Surface Layer In general, models based on pressure coupling do not show dramatic sensitivity of the combustor dynamics to small changes of composition. Hence we investigated similar problems with a simple model of the response due to velocity coupling. The idea is based on the model introduced by Levine and Baum (1988). Some recent work done on the dynamics resulting from functional form of the equations used in the analysis by Ananthkrishnan (2002) (See attachment to these notes.) seems to prove that the absolute value function in itself, as it appears in a simple model of velocity coupling, is sucient to produce a subcritical bifurcation (pitchfork) followed by a fold (saddle-node bifurcation).
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5 Re
Rb
0
1
Im
3 4 5
-5 10 0.25
0
10
Mode Amplitude
1 2 4
0 500 1000 1500
0.2 0.15 0.1 0.05 0
Figure 2.20. Results of a Simulation Including Dynamics of a Surface Layer and the Gas Phase
5 Re Rb 0 Im
3 4 5
-5 10 0.5
0
10
Mode Amplitude
1 2 4
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500
0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 0
Figure 2.21. Simulations with Dynamics of the Surface Layer and Gas Phase Included, but with Reduced Particle Damping (10% Reduction Over the Entire Frequency Range) In order to analyze the eect of velocity coupling on the overall dynamics, the following two relative sensitivities are dened: 1 @ALC A SR LC = (2.58) ~ c ~ ALC @ Rc 1 @BP (2.59) SRBP = ~ c ~ BP @ Rc where ALC is the amplitude of the limit cycle (dened at a xed value of ), and BP is the value of the growth rate at which the unstable fold turns to a stable fold. Equation (2.58) denes the relative sensitivity of
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0.4 0.6 0.3
Pressure Oscillation
0.2
0.4
Pressure Oscillation
1005 1010 1015 1020 1025 1030
0.1 0 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 0.3
0.2
- 0.2
- 0.4
- 0.6 - 0.4 1000 1000 1005 1010 1015 1020 1025 1030
Non-Dimensional Time
Non-Dimensional Time
(a) Figure 2.22. Waveforms for the Limit Cycles (a) Figure 2.20; (b) Figure 2.21.
0.06 0.05 0.04 0.03 0.02 0.01 0 -40 Stable Fixed Point Unstable Fixed Point Stable Limit Cycle Unstable Limit Cy cle
(b)
First Mode Amplitude
Turning Point
-30
-20
-10
10
Figure 2.23. Bifurcation Diagram the amplitude of the limit cycle to variations in the velocity coupling coecient; equation (2.59) refers to the sensitivity of the turning point to the same coecient. Figure 2.24 shows a plot of the sensitivities, calculated for the combustion chamber used in the examples of the previous section, and using a six mode approximation of the system. Note that the sensitivity of the turning point is very high, and also the sensitivity of the amplitude of the limit cycle is quite large in the range 0.15 to 0.25 of the coupling coecient. We now analyze the same combustor described in Section 2.6 with the introduction of the extra terms due to velocity coupling. For reference, Figure 2.25 presents the results of the simulation for the system with a combustion response based on the quasi-steady theory. The top section presents the combustion response function; the vertical lines mark the non-dimensional frequencies of the acoustic modes of the combustion chamber considered in the simulations. The bottom half shows the time evolution of the amplitude of each mode. The values of the parameters are: A = 6.0, B = 0.55, n = 0.50.
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Li mit Cylce Amplitude Sensitivity
15
10
0.05
0.1
0.15 R
vc
0.2
0.25
0.3
0.35
300
Branch Point Sensitivity
200 100 0 -100 0.05
0.1
0.15 R
vc
0.2
0.25
0.3
Figure 2.24. Sensitivity of Global Dynamics to Variations of the Coupling Coecient
2 1
4 5 6
Rb
-5 10 0.2 0.15 0.1 0.05 0

0
10
Mode amplitude
1 3 2
0 500 1000 1500
Figure 2.25. Simulation Results for QSHOD Combustion Response The rst mode is unstable and rapidly grows to a limit amplitude, while the other modes are all stable, and draw energy from the rst mode (allowing the system to enter a limit cycle). Figure 2.24 shows that there is a region of high sensitivity of the amplitude of the limit cycle for variations in the velocity-coupling coecient. Figure 2.26 presents the global response for a small variation of the velocity ~ ~ coupling coecient (Rc = 0.15 and Rc = 0.165). The simulation uses the same coecients for the pressure coupling as in the results of Figure 2.25, with the addition of the velocity coupling terms. Figure 2.27 and 2.28 show the pressure trace and the harmonic content for the same two cases.
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0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 0
0.4
Mode Amplitudes
0.3 0.2 0.1
Mode Amplitudes
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1000
100
200
300
400
Pressure
0.4 0.2 0 -0.2 -0.4 400
Pressure
500
600
700
800
900
1000
0.4 0.2 0 -0.2

405 410 415 420 425 430
-0.4 400
405
Non-dimensional Time
Non - dimensional Time
410
415
420
425
430
(a) ~ ~ Figure 2.26. Simulations with Velocity Coupling for: (a) Rc = 0.15, (b) Rc = 0.165.
0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 0 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 0.4
0 1 50
(b)
Pressure
1 00
50
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409
410
10
15
Non-dime nsio na l Freq ue nc y
~ Figure 2.27. Pressure Trace and Harmonic Content for the Case Rc = 0.15
0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 0 - 0.1 - 0.2 - 0.3 - 0.4
1 50
Pressure
1 00
50
0
4 00 4 01 4 02 4 03 4 04 4 05 4 06 4 07 4 08 4 09 4 10
10
15
Non-dimensio nal Freq uency
~ Figure 2.28. Pressure Trace and Harmonic Content for the Case Rc = 0.165 In summary, we have shown with these calculations that the global dynamics of a solid propellant motor seem to be aected more signicantly by small changes in the combustion response to velocity coupling then in the combustion response to pressure coupling. We cannot claim at this time that this is a universal result but the possible implications are important. It appears in any case that to determine why small changes of propellant composition seem on a number of occasions to have relatively large eects in the chamber dynamics, one must investigate the phenomenon of velocity coupling. The most serious need is experimental. Attention must be paid to developing a method for measuring the combustion dynamics associated with velocity coupling. 2.8. Generation of Vorticity and Vortex Shedding. There are two principal connections between vorticity and combustion instabilities in solid rockets:
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1) generation of unsteady vorticity at burning surfaces; and 2) coupling between acoustical motions and large vortices shed at obstacles or growing out of the region adjacent to the lateral burning surface. Both of these phenomena have motivated much interesting work|analytical, numerical and experimental. And although both sorts of behavior fundamentally involve production of vorticity, their characters and the positions they occupy in the area of oscillatory behavior are very dierent. 2.8.1. Generation of Vorticity. The generation of vorticity at a burning surface is special to solid rockets. It occurs whenever there is a variation of pressure uctuation in the direction tangential to a surface from which there is average mass ow normal to surface into the chamber. The vorticity is created because the velocity inward is perpendicular to the surface|the `no-slip' boundary condition. Imposition of a tangential velocity uctuation, due to the non-uniform pressure along the surface, on the average inward ow constitutes an inviscid mechanism of vorticity generation. Moreover, conservation of mass in the region close to the surface causes a periodic pumping action normal to the surface. Both the vorticity generation and the pumping exist at the expense of work done by the impressed acoustic eld and therefore ultimately appear as losses to the acoustic eld in the chamber. An oversimplied and incomplete interpretation of the phenomenon is that the incoming average ow normal to the surface gains some kinetic energy because it must acquire the oscillatory motion parallel to the surface. Thus there is eectively a \turning" of the ow. The inelastic acceleration of the mass ow causes a loss that is the unsteady counterpart of the loss accompanying mass injection into a duct ow. This \ow-turning loss" was, not surprisingly, discovered in an analysis of unsteady one-dimensional ow with mass injection at the lateral surface (Culick 1970). However, the connection with vorticity generation was not pointed out. It was Flandro (1995) who claried the phenomenon in terms of the unsteady production of vorticity, emphasizing the central importance of the no-slip boundary condition. Flandro carried out the rst rigorous formal analysis of the problem, work that has since prompted a stream of calculations on the basic problem at hand, as well as variations (e.g. Majdalani, 1999; Kassoy, 1999; Majdalani, Flandro and Roh, 2000; and many others). Generation of vorticity can provide a signicant contribution to the loss of acoustic energy and hence to stability. That is why it has become the subject of some controversy in the community of researchers concerned with combustion instabilities. There is not presently uniform agreement on the true eects of vorticity generation on linear stability (unfortunately). The situation in the analyses is more complicated than that described supercially above. Besides the dissipation of vorticity in the chamber|due both to laminar viscous eects and interactions between the vorticity and turbulence, there are one or two eects not mentioned above. Hence depending on interpretation of the basic phenomenon, and also on the particular conguration of motor considered, the next eect of vorticity generation may be stabilizing or de-stabilizing. The matter remains unresolved and deserves resolution, but not in these notes. We should note that there are also many experimental results related to this problem, some obtained in university laboratories, and some gained in subscale practical congurations (e.g. Dunlap et al. 1990). 2.8.2. Shedding of Large Scale Vortices. So far as practical consequences are concerned, the production of large vortices in motors has been far more signicant than has the generation of vorticity discussed above. The latter is present in all solid rockets, and contributes always to linear stability, although the true quantitative value remains controversial. On the other hand, while the prediction and inuences of vortex shedding may contain uncertainties, it is fair to say that the general characteristics are well-known and settled. Moreover, vortex shedding has been identied unambiguously as the mechanism for oscillation observed in several large motors including the Space Shullte SRM, the Titan IV SRMV and the Ariane 5 SRM. Note that the mechanism is apparently active only in large motors. The main reason for that conclusion seems to be the required special near-coincidence between the frequency of sheding and the frequency of an acoustic mode. Simple laboratory tests demonstrate that basic feature (Magiawala and Culick 1979; Nomoto and Culick 1982; Aaron and Culick 1984): satisfaction of the condition requires suitable combinations of geometry, mean ow speed, thichness of shear layer at the origin of the vortex shedding and acoustic frequency which depends mainly on the speed of sound and length of chamber.
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Vortex shedding in large motors has appeared in two forms: shedding from obstacles or sharp edges; and growth out of the region of reletively high shear near the lateral burning surface. Motivated by some experimental results (Price et al. 1972) involving vortex shedding, Flandro and Jacobs (1974) rst proposed the excitation of acoustic modes in a chamber due to coupling with vortices shed from an obstacle. Within a couple of years that process was discovered5 as the mechanism for potentially serious pressure oscillations in the Space Shuttle SRM (Mathes 1980). The appearance of vortex shedding in the Titan motors caused formation of a very useful program of extensive tests of a subscale cold-ow model of the motor (Dunlap and Brown 1981; Brown et al. 1981). Those tests produced extensive date for the internal ow elds, eventually including results that formed part of the basis for the theoretical work on unsteady vorticity cited in the preceeding section. In 1986, Flandro reported his collaboration and extension of the analysis he had carried out with Jacobs twelve years earlier. The work brought together previous ideas of instability of a shear layer as the initiation of a shear wave; growth and roll-up of the wave into a vortex; propagation of the vortex at a speed something less than that of the average ow; and impingement of the vortices on a solid surface, producing a pulse of pressure that can excite and sustain acoustic waves in the chamber. An acoustic pulse will propagate upstream to the region of the shear instability, possibly to initiate another disturbance to be amplied within the layer, later to develop into another vortex... The process will continue, becoming periodic when the frequency of the vortex shedding is nearly equal to the acoustic frequency. When that behavior occurs in a rocket, toroidal vortices are shed from the inner edge of an annular obstruction, as in the Shuttle and Titan motors, or at the transition from slots to primary cylindrical chamber (Figure 2.29). The acoustic frequency is determined mainly by the length of the chamber, while the vortex shedding frequency
Figure 2.29. Vortex Shedding from (a) a transition zone in a rocket chamber; and (b) a residual annulus of inhibitor material (Flandro 1986). is inuenced by the local geometry and average ow. The local geometry determines the growth of the shear layer and in particular its momentum thickness, a fundamental parameter dening the conditions for instability. Flandro's analysis|an adaptation of earlier work by Michalle|and experimental results have conrmed that the vortex shedding is characterized by the value of the Strouhal number S at which the growth rate of an unstable disturbance is maximum. The Strouhal number is dened as the product of shedding frequency fs times a characteristic length divided by a characteristic speed U so the shedding frequency is given by the formula U fs = S (2.60) where S has some value roughly constant and set by the geometry. The frequencies of the acoustic modes are only weakly dependent on the mean ow of the Mach number so small but do depend strongly on the geometry. For a chamber having length L and closed at both ends6 , the longitudinal modes have frequencies given by a fa = ` (2.61) L
initial report of those oscillations prompted the laboratory demonstration reported by Culick and Magiawala (1979). rocket physically closed at one end and exhausting through a choked nozzle appears to acoustic waves as if it is approximately closed at both ends.
6A 5 The
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where a is the speed of sound and ` = 1; 2; : : : identies the mode. Some interesting results reported by Nomoto and Culick (1982) conrm the truth of the preceding ideas for a simple laboratory apparatus consisting of two annuli tted in a tube, separated by some distance ` and having a mean ow in the axial direction. Figure 2.30 shows lines drawn according to (2.60) and (2.61) and data points indicating the occurences of oscillations without regard to amplitude. For the conditions of the experiment, signicant oscillations were excited only in regions in which (2.60) and (2.61) are simultaneously satised. Note that the separate diagonal lines for shedding frequency given by (2.60) represent cases in which there are 1; 2; 3; : : : vortices existing between the annuli at any given time.
Figure 2.30. Experimental Results for the Excitation of Acoustic Modes by Vortex Shedding (Nomoto and Culick 1982). An important implication of Figure 2.30 is that the dependence of the observed frequency of oscillation may not have a simple|or obvious|dependence on the length and mean ow speed during the ring of a solid rocket. In fact, as several researchers have noted (see, e.g., Vuillot 1995) the shift of frequency with time is a good basis for distinguishing vortex shedding as the mechanism for oscillations. Instabilities sustained by feedback involving combustion dynamics almost always show dependence on geometry closely given vy the formulas of classical acoustics: fa 1=L. Thus, if there is little or no propellant cast at the head end, the longitudinal frequency is nearly constant in time. Or, if, as usually is the case for large motors, there are slots and ns at the head end, the eective length of the chamber tends to increase during a ring and hence the frequency of oscillation decreases. However, according to the results given in Figure 2.30, because the mean velocity may increase during a burn as more propellant is exposed, the frequency may increase. It is possible (and has been observed) that the frequency suers discrete changes, corresponding to transition between groups of data points shown in Figure ??, that is the state of the oscillating system shifts because the number of shed vortices present between the shedding and impingement points changes. An important and very interesting second cause of vortex shedding was discovered several years ago by Vuillot and his colleagues at ONERA while investigating the mechanism for unstable oscillations observed in teh Ariane
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5 solid rocket boosters. Subscale rings of motors showed that large vortices were initiated, grew, and were shed from the region near the burning surface. (Vuillot et al. 1993; Traineau et al. 1997). Hence the phenomenon was called \parietal vortex shedding" by Lupuglazo and Vuillot (1996). In an exemplary systematic research program, the group at ONERA have established most of the characteristics of parietal vortex shedding relevant to practical applications. Some issues of scale apparently remain, but very good agreement has been found between subscale hot rings; subscale tests with ow visualization (Avalon et al. 2000); and numerical analyses of stability and vortex shedding. LeBreton et al. (1999) have given a good review of the subject, including some results for the eects of resudual combustion. Possibly the most important aspect of this subject is weak understanding of nonlinear behavior. No simple explanation exists for the amplitudes of oscillations that can be generated by coupling with the shedding of large vortices. According to LeBreton et al. (1999) parietal vortex shedding produces, in their examples, larger amplitudes of oscillation than shedding from an annulus (inhibitor ring in a segmented rocket). It would clearly be a signicant aid to design and development if a rule of thumb could be constructed to place an upper limit to the amplitudes of oscillation caused by vortex shedding. Because the mechanism involves conversion of mechanical energy of the near ow to acoustic energy, it is likely that the maximum possible amplitudes must be much smaller than those that can be generated by coupling between acoustics and combustion dynamics. 2.9. Distributed Combustion. Combustion of the major components of a solid propellant|the primary oxidizer and the binder in the case of composite solids|normally takes place to completion near the burning surface. Thus the term `distributed combustion' refers to combustion of particles as they are carried into the volume of the chamber. Almost all attention has been directed to residual combustion of aluminum for which there is much photographic evidence. Steady combustion of aluminum particles has long been and continues to be a subject of research owing to its vital importance to the eciency and performance of motors, and in the formation of slag. Relatively little notice has been taken of the possible inuences of residual combustion on the stability of motors. Probably the main reason for this lack of interest is the general view that generally the existence of combustion instabilities in motors can be satisfactorily explained by other mechanisms, notably the dynamics of surface combustion and vortex shedding. It appears that the dynamics of aluminum combustion within the volume of the chamber must provide at most a small contribution to stability. There are at least two reasons for this conclusion: the available data contain uncertainties too large to allow identication of the inuences of unsteady aluminum combustion; and any destabilizing tendencies of the particles are roughly compensated by the attenuation of unsteady motions due to the presence of particles. The second is known to be signicant if the particles are inert and have suitable sizes for the frequencies of the instability in question. Several works (Marble and Wooten (1970); Dupays and Vuillot 1998) have treated the eects of condensation and vaporization of non-burning particles, on attenuation of acoustic waves. Whether the attenuation is increased or decreased depends on many factors, including the sizes of particles and the rates at which the particles gain or lose mass. When, for example, a particle is vaporizing, it seems that in the presence of an acoustic wave, the phenomenon of òw turning' discussed in the preceding section should cause increased attenuation for a given particle size and frequency. However, while the analysis by Wooten (1966) supports that conclusion, recent work by Dupays (1999) suggests that the result is not always true. Moreover, suggestions have been made by investigators of combustion instabilities in ramjets (Sirignano) and in liquid rockets (Merkl) that the process of vaporization of liquid drops is destabilizing. Those conclusions may be misleading because due to implied direct connections between the vaporization and burning rates. It may in fact be the case that the destabilization found is due to combustion rather than vaporization per se. Owing to the necessary connection between vaporization and combustion of particles, the problem of residual combustion presents certain diculties of distinguishing what process is really responsible for attenuation or driving of waves. The most extensive work is the problem has been done by Beckstead and his students (Brooks and Beckstead, 1995; Raun and Beckstead, 1993; Beckstead, Richards and Brewster, 1984). Probably the most compelling reason for investigating the manner was the discover of anomalous (and still not completely understood) results obtained with a device called the `velocity-coupled T-burner'. In this conguration, large areas of propellant
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are mounted in the lateral boundary to emphasize the interactions between surface combustion and velocity uctuations parallel to the surface. For reasons not discussed here, Beckstead concluded that residual combustion was possibly a reason that unusually large values of the response function were found. The idea was based partly on the suspicion that the tangential velocity disturbances can strip incompletely burned aluminum from the surface. Subsequently, with both calculations and further experiments (Raun and Beckstead, 1993). Beckstead has strengthened his case that the eects of unsteady residual combustion should not be dismissed out-of-hand. However, there is presently no analysis accommodating the process in computations of combustion instabilities in solid rockets. It is worth noting the conclusion by Brooks and Beckstead (1995) that the greatest eect of residual combustion (of aluminum) on stability was indirect, due to its eect on the mean temperature prole.
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3. EQUATIONS FOR UNSTEADY MOTIONS IN COMBUSTION CHAMBERS
The examples described in Section 1, and many others, establish a rm basis for interpreting unsteady motions in a combustor in terms of acoustic modes of the chamber. That view has been formalized during the past fty years and has led to the most widely used methods for analyzing combustor dynamics. In this section, we present the foundations of a particularly successful version of methods based on expansion in normal modes and spatial averaging. We assume familiarity with most of the required background in classical uid dynamics and acoustics. Section 5 covers the principles and chief results of classical acoustics required as part of the foundation for understanding combustion instabilities. The discussions in this and the following sections are quite formal, intended to serve as the basis for a general framework within which unsteady motions, especially combustion instabilities, in all types of combustors may be treated. Analyses using ad hoc models will be covered when particular systems are considered, as in Section 2. 3.1. Modes of Wave Motion in a Compressible Medium. In this section, the term `modes' refers not to natural motions or resonances of a chamber but rather to a type or class of motions in compressible ows generally. The brief discussion here is intended to address the question: how is it possible that apparently coherent nearly-classic acoustic waves exist in chambers containing highly turbulent non-uniform ow? It's a fundamentally important observation that such is the case. The explanation has been most thoroughly claried by Chu and Kovasznay (1957), who elaborated and combined some results known for nearly a century. Their conclusions most signicant for present purposes may be summarized as follows: (1) Any small amplitude (linear) disturbance may be synthesized of three modes of propagation: entropy waves or `spots', small regions having temperatures slightly dierent from the ambient temperature of the ow; vortical or shear waves characterized by nonuniform vorticity; and acoustic waves. (2) In the linear approximation, if the ow is uniform, the three types of waves propagate independently, but may be coupled at boundaries (e.g. nozzles) or in combustion zones. Entropy and vortical waves propagate with the mean ow speed (`convected') but acoustic waves propagate with their own speeds of sound. Moreover, in this linear limit, only acoustic waves carry disturbances of pressure. All three types of waves are accompanied by velocity uctuations. If the ow is non-uniform or at nite amplitudes, the three modes become coupled. As a result, each of the waves then carries pressure, temperature and velocity uctuations. Extension of the fundamental theory has not been accomplished completely (see Chu and Kovasznay). Some of the consequences of these types of modal coupling arise in the theory developed here, but much remains to be investigated. In particular, interactions between turbulence and an acoustic eld is an important process represented by coupling of the basic linear modes of propagation. 3.2. Equations of Motion for a Reacting Flow. Combustion systems commonly contain condensed phases: liquid fuel or oxidizer, and combustion products including soot and condensed metal oxides. Hence the equations of motion must be written for two phases consisting of at least one species each. For investigating the dynamics of combustors, it is entirely adequate to represent each phase as its mass average over all member species. For a medium consisting of a multicomponent mixture of reacting gases and, for simplicity, a single liquid phase, it is a straightforward matter to construct a system of equations representing a single uid. The procedure is summarized in Appendix A. As a result we can treat combustor dynamics under broad conditions as unsteady motions of a uid having the mass-averaged properties of the actual medium.7 The dimensional governing equations are (A.9){(A.14)
7 We
now use Cv ; ; R; to stand for the mass-averaged properties represented by bold-face symbols in Appendix A.
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Conservation of Mass @ + u r = r u + W @t Conservation of Momentum Conservation of Energy Cv Equation for the Pressure @p + u rp = pr u + P @t Equation for the Entropy Equation of State p = RT All denitions are given in Appendix A. It is particularly important to realize that the source functions W , F , Q and P contain all relevant processes in the systems to be analyzed here. They include, for example, the modeling and representations of the actions of actuation mechanisms used for active control. Eventually, the most dicult problems arising in this eld are associated with modeling the physical processes dominant in the problems addressed. Both for theoretical and computational purposes it is best to express the equations in dimensionless variables using the reference values: L : reference length r ; pr ; Tr ; ar : reference density, pressure, temperature and speed of sound Cvr ; Cpr ; Rr : reference values of Cv ; Cp ; R Then dene the dimensionless variables represented by M and the same symbols used for dimensional variables: u ; ar ! ; r p ! p; r a2 r T ! T; Tr Cv ! Cv ; etc.; Cvr s !s Cvr (3.6) @s 1 + u rs = S @t T (3.4) @u + u ru = rp + F @t (3.1)
(3.2)
@T + u rT = pr u + Q @t
(3.3)
(3.5)
M=
The dimensionless source functions are L W !W; r ar L F ! F; r a2 r L Q ! Q; r a3 r L P ! P; r ar S !S r ar Cvr
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Substitution of these denitions in equations (3.1){(3.6) leads to the set of dimensionless equations for the single uid model: D Mass : = r M + W (3.7) Dt Momentum : DM = rp + F Dt DT = pr M + Q Dt (3.8)
Energy :
Cv
(3.9)
Pressure :
Dp = pr M + P Dt Ds 1 = S Dt T
(3.10)
Entropy : State : and
(3.11) (3.12)
p = RT
@ D = +Mr Dt @t
(3.13)
We emphasize again that the source terms accommodate all relevant physical processes and can be interpreted to include the inuences of actuation used in active control. 3.3. Two-Parameter Expansion of the Equations of Motion. The general equations (3.7){(3.13) are written in the form suggestive of problems that are dominated by uid mechanical processes, a tactic dictated by the observations described earlier. This point of view is the basis for the approach taken here to construct a general framework within which both practical and theoretical results can be obtained by following systematic procedures. We are not concerned at this point with simulations or other methods relying essentially on some sort of numerical anaylsis and large scale computations. The nature of the problems we face suggests perturbation methods. If the source terms W , : : : were absent from (3.7){(3.11), the homogeneous equations then represent nonlinear inviscid motions in a compressible uid: Nonlinear acoustics in a medium without losses. One useful method for investigating such problems is based on expansion of the equations in a small parameter, ", measuring 0 the amplitude of the motion. Specically, " can be taken equal to Mr , a Mach number characteristic of the 0 uctuating ow, " := Mr . The problems we are concerned with here are dened essentially by the non-zero functions W , : : : . Because observed behavior seems to be dominated by features recognizable as àcoustical', those sources which excite and sustain the actual motions must in some sense be small. They should therefore be characterized by at least one additional small parameter. It has become customary to select only one such parameter, := Mr , a Mach number r characterizing the mean ow, for the following reasons.8 M Any operating combustion chamber contains an average steady ow produced by combustion of the fuel and oxidizer to generate products. The intensity of the ow, partly measurable by the Mach number, is therefore related to the intensity of combustion and both processes can in some sense be characterized by the same quantity, namely the Mach number of the average ow. Thus many of the processes represented in the source functions may be characterized by , in the sense that their inuences become vanishingly small as ! 0 and are absent when = 0.
8 We 0 use the symbols " and rather than Mr and Mr to simplify writing.
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It is important to understand that the two small parameters " and have dierent physical origins. Consequently, they also participate dierently in the formal perturbation procedures. Familiar nonlinear gas dynamical behavior is, in the present context, governed by the parameter "; steepening of compressive waves is a notable example. In the expansion procedure worked out here, the term `nonlinear behavior' refers to the consequences of terms higher order in ". On the other hand, the parameter characterizes perturbations of the gasdynamics due in the rst instance to combustion processes and the mean ow. Terms of higher order in , but linear in ", represent linear processes in this scheme. Failure to recognize this basic distinction between " and can lead to incorrect applications of formal procedures such as the method of time-averaging. Instances of this point will arise as the analysis is developed. 3.3.1. Expansion in Mean and Fluctuating Values. There is no unique procedure for carrying out a twoparameter expansion. We begin here by writing all dependent variables as sums of mean () and uctuating ( )0 parts without regard to ordering
p = p + p0 ;
M = M + M0 ; : : : ;
W = W = W 0;
F = F + F 0; : : :
(3.14)
We take the uctuations of the primary ow variables (p0 , M0 , 0 , T 0 , s0 ) to be all of the same order in the amplitude " of the unsteady motion. Generally, the source terms are complicated functions of the ow variables and therefore their uctuations will contain terms of many orders in ". For example, suppose W = kp3 . Then setting p = p + p0 and expanding, we have h i 0 0 W = k( + p0 )3 = k p3 + 32 p0 + 3p 2 + p 3 p p p Hence we dene orders of the uctuations of the source W and write W = W + W 0 + W 0 + W 0 + W 0 + ::: 1 2 3 4 where the subscript denotes the order with respect to the amplitude: Here, for the example W = kp3 , W 0 = 2 0 (2kp)p 2 . All source functions are written symbolically in the general form shown for !, but modeling is required to give explicit formulas. Most combustors contain ows of relatively low Mach number, say M . 0:3 or so. Thus we can assume that for a broad range of circumstances, processes depending on the square of M, i.e. of order 2 , probably have small inuences on the unsteady motions. We therefore neglect all terms of order 2 and higher in the equations. As a practical matter, the equations are greatly simplied with this assumption. After substituting all variables split into sums of mean and uctuating values, and collection of terms by orders, we can rewrite (3.7){(3.13) as9 0 D @ + r M W + + r M0 + M r0 + 0 r M + M0 r + r (0 M0 ) W 0 = 0 Dt @t
(3.15)
DM DM @M + r F + p + rp0 + M rM0 + M0 rM + Dt @t Dt 0 @M + 0 + M0 rM0 + 0 M rM0 + M0 rM + [0 M0 rM0 ] F 0 = 0 @t

0
(3.16)
9 We
do not include here terms O(Mr Mr2 ), i.e. rst order in the mean ow and second order in uctuations.
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@T 0 DT DT Cv + pr M Q + Cv + pr M0 + Cv M rT 0 + M0 rT + Cv 0 + p0 r M Dt @t Dt (3.17) 0 @T + Cv + Cv 0 M rT 0 + M0 rT + Cv 0 M0 rT 0 + p0 r M0 + [Cv M0 rT 0 ] Q0 = 0 @t 0 @p @p p + M r + pr M P + p + pr M0 + M rp0 + M0 r + p0 r M @t @t + [M0 rp0 + p0 r M0 ] P0 = 0
(3.18)
0 s s D S + T @s + M rs0 + 0 T D + T M0 r + T 0 M r s s T Dt @t Dt 0 0 s Ds + 0 T 0 D + 0 T M0 r + T 0 M0 r + T 0 @s + 0 T s s Dt Dt @t + T 0 + 0 T M0 rs0 + 0 T 0 M0 r + M rs0 s + [0 T 0 M0 rs0 ] S0 = 0 p RT + p0 R T 0 + 0 T + [R0 T 0 ] = 0 where the convective derivative following the mean ow is D @ = +Mr Dt @t
(3.19)
(3.20)
(3.21)
As a convenience in writing, it is useful to introduce some symbols dening groups of ordered terms. The set of equations (3.15){(3.21) then become: 0 D @ + r M W + + r M 0 + f[]g1 + fg2 W 0 = 0 Dt @t 0 DM + @M + rp0 + f[M]g1 + fMg2 + fMg3 F 0 = 0 + r F p Dt @t 0 DT Q + Cv @T + pr M 0 + f[T ]g + fT g + fT g Q0 = 0 + pr M Cv 1 2 3 Dt @t 0 Dp P + Cv @P + pr M 0 + f[p]g + fpg P0 = 0 + pr M 1 2 Dt @t @s0 D s S + T + f[s]g1 + fsg2 + fsg3 + fsg4 = 0 Dt @t p RT + fp RT g1 + fR0 T g2 = 0
(3.22)
(3.23)
(3.24)
(3.25)
(3.26)
(3.27)
The denitions of the bracketted terms fg1 , etc. are given in Appendix A, Section A.2; the subscript f gn on the brackets identies the orders of terms with respect to the uctuations of ow variables, and the square brackets [ ] indicate that the terms are rst order in the average Mach number. We have shown here
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in each equation terms of the highest order uctuations generated by the purely uid mechanical contributions plus sources that must be expanded to orders appropriate to particular applications. Only the entropy equation produces terms of fourth order. Time derivatives of quantities identied with the mean ow are retained to accommodate variations on a time scale long relative to the scale of the uctuations. This generality is not normally required for treating combustion instabilities and unless otherwise stated, we will assume that all averaged quantities are independent of time. 3.3.2. Equations for the Mean Flow. At this point we have two choices. Commonly the assumption is made that the equations for the mean ow `satisfy their own equations'. That implies that the square brackets [ ] in (3.22){(3.27) vanish identically. With the time derivatives absent, the equations for the mean ow are: M r + r M = W (3.28) M rM + r = F p Cv M rT + pr M = Q M r + pr M = P p T M r = S s p = RT (3.29) (3.30) (3.31) (3.32) (3.33)
This set of equations certainly applies when the average ow is strictly independent of time and there are no uctuations. The time derivatives cannot be ignored when the ow variables change so slowly that the motion may be considered as `quasi-steady' and uctuations are still ignorable. It is possible that when uctuations are present, interactions among the ow variables cause transfer of mass, momentum and energy between the uctuating and mean ows, generating time variations of the averaged variables. Then the appropriate equations are obtained by time-averaging (3.22){(3.27) to give10 D 0 (3.34) + r M = W f[]g1 fg2 + W Dt DM + r = F f[M]g1 fMg2 fMg3 + F 0 p Dt (3.35)
Cv
DT + pr M = Q f[T ]g1 fT g2 fT g3 + Q0 Dt
(3.36)
Dp + pr M = P fpg1 fpg2 + fpg3 Dt T s D = S fsg1 fsg2 fsg3 fsg4 Dt p = RT fT g1 fT g2
(3.37)
(3.38)
(3.39)
10 Note that the uctuations of the source terms, W 0 etc., actually contain squares and higher order products of the dependent variables; hence their time averages will generally be non-zero.
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If the mean ow is strictly independent of time, then time averages of all rst-order brackets, f g1 , must vanish. For generality we allow them to be nonzero. There seem to be no analyses in which their variations have been taken into account. The two sets of equations governing the mean ow in the presence of unsteady motion dene two distinct formulations of the general problem. In the rst, equations (3.28){(3.33), computation of the mean ow is uncoupled from that of the unsteady ow. Hence formally we are concerned with the stability and time evolution of disturbances superposed on a given, presumed known, mean ow unaected by the unsteady motions. That is the setting for all investigations of combustion instabilities founded on the splitting of small ow variables into sums of mean and uctuating values. This approach excludes, for example, possible inuences of oscillations on the mean pressure in the chamber (often called `DC shift'), not an unusual occurrence in solid propellant rockets. When they occur, DC shifts of this sort are almost always unacceptable in operational motors; they may or may not be signicantly and directly aected by the uctuations. In contrast, the set (3.34){(3.39) is strongly coupled to the uctuating eld. The situation is formally that producing the problem of `closure' in the theory of turbulent ows (see, for example, Tennekes and Lumley, 1972). We will not explore the matter here, but we note only that the process of time averaging terms on the right-hand sides of the equations introduces functions of the uctuations that are additional unknowns. Formal analysis then requires that those functions be modeled; perhaps the most familiar example in the theory of turbulence is the introduction of a `mixing length' as part of the representation of stresses associated with turbulent motions. Numerical simulations of combustion instabilities do not exhibit the problem of closure if the complete equations are used, avoiding the consequences of the assumption (3.14). Thus, for example, the results obtained by Baum and Levine (1982, 1988) do show time-dependence of the average pressure in examples of instabilities in solid rockets. Another possible cause of that behavior, probably more important in many cases, is nonlinear dependence of the burning rate on the pressure or velocity near the surface of a solid propellant rocket. Within the structure given here, that behavior may arise from time-averaged functions of p0 , M0 , : : : contained in the boundary conditions, or from some nonlinear dependence such as jM0 j. We use in these lectures the formulation assuming complete knowledge of the mean ow, given either by suitable modeling or by solution to the governing equations (3.28){(3.33) or (3.34){(3.39). 3.3.3. Systems of Equations for the Fluctuations. The general equations of motion (3.22){(3.27) and those for the mean ow written in Section 3.3.1 contain a restriction only on the magnitude of the average Mach number. Such generality blocks progress with the analysis and for many applications is unnecessary. The set of equations (3.22){(3.27) must be simplied to forms that can be solved to give useful results. Many possibilities exist. We follow here a course that previous experience has shown to be particularly fruitful for investigations of combustor dynamics. The choices of approximations and tactics are usually motivated by eventual applications and the type of analysis used. First we assume that the mean ow is determined by its own system of equations; that is, we avoid the problem of closure and use the rst formulation, equations (3.28){(3.33), discussed in Section 3.3.1. Consequently, the mean ow is taken to be independent of time and the combinations in square brackets [ ], equations (3.22){(3.27), vanish identically. Using the denitions of the remaining brackets, @0 (3.40) + r M0 = f[]g1 fg2 + W 0 @t @M0 + rp0 = f[M]g1 fMg2 fMg3 + F 0 @t (3.41)
Cv
@T 0 + pr M0 = f[T ]g1 fT g2 fT g3 + Q0 @t
(3.42)
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@p0 + pr M0 = f[p]g1 fpg2 + P0 @t T
(3.43)
@s0 (3.44) = f[s]g1 fsg2 fsg3 fsg4 + S0 @t The various brackets are dened in Section A.2 of Appendix A. They are formed to contain terms ordered with respect to both the mean Mach number and the amplitude of the uctuations: [ ] : 1st order in M; 1st order in M0 ; O(") f g2 : 0th order in M; 2nd order in M0 ; O("2 ) f g3 : 0th order in M; 3rd order in M0 ; O("3 ) f g4 : 0th order in M; 4th order in M0 ; O("4 )
(3.45)
No terms have been dropped in passage from the set (3.22{(3.27) to the set (3.40){(3.44), but uctuations of the sources W 0 ; ; S0 are not now classied into the various types dened by the brackets (3.45). We have put the equations in the forms (3.40){(3.44) to emphasize the point of view that we are considering classes of problems closely related to motions in classical acoustics. If the right-hand sides are ignored, (3.40){ (3.44) become the equations for linear acoustics of a uniform non-reacting medium at rest. The perturbations of that limiting class arise from three types of processes: (i) interactions of the linear acoustic eld with the mean ow, represented by the terms contained in the square brackets, f[ ]g; (ii) nonlinear interactions between the uctuations, represented by the curly brackets conveniently referred to as: f g2 , second order acoustics; f g3 , third order acoustics; and f g4 , fourth order acoustics; (iii) sources associated with combustion processes, represented by the source terms W 0 ; F 0 ; Q0 ; P0 and S0 . By selectively retaining one or more of these types of perturbations we dene a hierarchy of problems of unsteady motions in combustors. We label these classes of problems O, I, II, III, IV according to the orders of terms retained in the right-hand side when the left-hand side comprise only the terms of order " := M0 r dening clssical linear acoustics. O. Classical Acoustics, ( = 0; " ! 0) Perturbations to rst order in " are retained in (3.40){(3.44): @0 + r M0 @t @M0 + rp0 @t @T 0 Cv + pr M0 @t @p0 + pr M0 @t @s0 T @t =W = F0 = Q0 = P0 = S0 (3.46) a-e
0
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I. Linear Stability, O("; ") Retain interactions linear in the average Mach number and in the uctuations: @0 + r M0 = f[]g1 + W 0 @t @M0 + rp0 = f[M]g1 + F 0 @t @T 0 Cv + pr M0 = f[T ]g1 + Q0 @t @p0 + pr M0 = f[p]g1 + P0 @t @s0 T = f[s]g1 + S0 @t II. Second Order Acoustics, O("; "; "2 ) Retain the linear interactions and the nonlinear second order acoustics: @0 + r M0 = [f[]g1 + fg2 ] + W 0 @t @M0 + rp0 = [f[M]g1 + fMg2 ] + F 0 @t @T 0 Cv + pr M0 = [f[T ]g1 + fT g2 ] + Q0 @t @p0 + pr M0 = [f[p]g1 + fpg2 ] + P0 @t @s0 T = [f[s]g1 + fsg2 ] + S0 @t III. Third Order Acoustics, O("; "; "2 ; "3 ) Retain the linear interactions and the nonlinear acoustics up to third order: @0 + r M0 = [f[]g1 + fg2 ] + W 0 @t @M0 + rp0 = [f[M]g1 + fMg2 + fMg3 ] + F 0 @t @T 0 Cv + pr M0 = [f[T ]g1 + fT g2 + fT g3 ] + Q0 @t 0 @p + pr M0 = [f[p]g1 + fpg2 ] + P0 @t @s0 T = [f[s]g1 + fsg2 + fsg3 ] + S0 @t
(3.47) a-e
(3.48) a-e
(3.49) a-e
Four other classes of problems possible to dene in this context will not be considered here since no results have been reported: second order acoustics with mean ow interactions; fourth order acoustics; and third and fourth order acoustics with nonlinear acoustics/mean ow interactions. In problems I{III, the source terms W 0 ; must be expanded to order consistent with the orders of the uid-mechanical perturbations retained. 3.4. Nonlinear Wave Equations for the Pressure Field. Practically all of the subsequent material in this book will be either directly concerned with pressure waves, or with interpretations of behavior related pressure waves. The presence of unsteady vorticity causes important revisions of such a restricted point of view, as we have already mentioned in Section 3.1, but the basic ideas remain in any event. Hence the wave equation
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for pressure uctuations occupies a meaningful position in all ve classes of problems dened in the preceding section. Its formation follows the same procedure used in classical acoustics. Dene M and R to contain all possible terms arising in the sets of equations constructed for the problems O{III: @M0 M (3.50) + rp0 = M + F 0 @t 0 @p (3.51) + pr M0 = R + P0 @t where M = f[M]g1 + fMg2 + +fMg3 Dierentiate 3.50 with respect to time and substitute 3.50 for @M =@t: @R 1 1 @P0 @ 2 p0 pr rp0 M F0 = + 2 @t @t @t Rearrange the equation to nd r2 p0 with 1 @ 2 p0 =h a2 @t2 (3.54) R = f[p]g1 + fpg2
0
(3.52) (3.53)
1 1 1 @ 0 h = r + 2 (R P0 ) + r rp0 M F a @t
(3.55)
The boundary condition for the pressure eld is found by taking the scalar product of the outward normal, at the chamber boundary, with: n rp0 = f ^ f = (3.56) @M M ^ n + (M F 0 ) n ^ @t
0
(3.57)
Replacing M and R by their denitions (3.52), we have the formulation based on the inhomogeneous nonlinear wave equation and its boundary condition: r2 p0 with 1 @ 2 p0 =h a2 @t2 n rp0 = f ^ (3.57) a,b
1 @f[p]g1 1 @fpg2 1 1 1 r fMg2 2 r fMg3 h = r f[M]g1 2 a @t a @t 1 1 0 1 @P0 + r rp0 + r F 2 a @t @M0 ^ f = n + n [f[M]g1 + fMg2 + fMg3 ] F 0 n ^ ^ @t
(3.58)
(3.59)
With this formulation, the wave equations and boundary conditions for the classes of problems dened in Section 3.3 are distinguished by the following functions h and f :
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O. Classical Acoustics 1 1 @P0 hO = r F 0 2 a @t @M0 ^ fO = n F0 n ^ @t I. Linear Stability 1 1 @f[p]g1 1 1 @P0 1 hI = r f[M]g1 2 + r rp0 + r F 0 2 a @t a @t 0 @M fI = ^ n + n f[M]g1 F 0 n ^ ^ @t
(3.60) a,b
(3.61) a,b
Allowing F 0 and P0 to be non-zero gives the opportunity for representing sources of mass, momentum, and energy both within the volume and at the boundary. The rst term in f0 accounts for motion of the boundary. II. Second Order Acoustics 1 1 @f[p]g1 1 @fpg 1 hII = r f[M]g1 2 r fMg2 2 a @t a @t 0 1 1 @P 1 + r0 rp0 + r F 0 2 a @t @M0 ^ fII = n + n [f[M]g1 + fMg2 ] F 0 n ^ ^ @t III. Third Order Acoustics hIII 1 1 @f[p]g1 1 @fpg2 1 = r f[M]g1 2 r fMg2 2 a @t a @t 1 1 0 1 @P0 1 r fMg3 + r rp0 + r F 2 a @t @M0 = ^ n + n [f[M]g1 + fMg2 + fMg3 ] F 0 n ^ ^ @t
(3.62) a,b
(3.63) a,b
fIII
With these denitions of the functions h and f , the denitions of the four classes of problems considered here are complete, forming the basis for the analysis worked out in the remainder of these lectures. Only problems within classical acoustics can be solved easily. All others require approximations, both in modeling physical processes and in the method of solution. Modeling will be discussed in the contexts of specic applications; a few remarks help clarify the approximate method of solution described in the following section. Remarks:
i) The classes of problems I{III dened here are described by inhomogeneous equations that even for linear stability cannot be generally solved in closed form. The chief obstacles to solution arise because the functions h and f contain not only the unknown pressure but also the velocity and temperature. For given functions F 0 and P0 , numerical solutions could be obtained for a specied combustor and mean ow eld. The results would apply only to the special case considered. To obtain some understanding of general behavior it would be necessary to consider many special cases, a tedious and expensive procedure.
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ii) Therefore, we choose to work out an approximate method of solution applicable to all classes of problems. Numerical solutions, or `simulations' then serve the important purpose of assessing the validity and accuracy of the approximate results. iii) The approximate method of solution is based rst on spatial averaging, followed by an iteration procedure involving extension of the expansion in two small parameters dened in this section. This method has been most widely used and conrmed in applications to combustion instabilities in solid propellant rockets, but it can be applied to problems arising in any type of combustor. iv) Instabilities in solid rockets have been particularly helpful in developing the general theory for at least three reasons: 1) the mean ow eld, nonuniform and generated by mass addition at the boundary, requires careful attention to processes associated with interactions between the mean ow and unsteady motions; 2) more experimental results for transient behavior have been obtained for solid rockets than for any other combustion system; and 3) although still far from being satisfactorily understood, the dynamics of burning solid propellants is better known than for any other combustion system. v) The uctuations of the source terms, W 0 , F 0 , : : : S0 will be made explicit as required in particular applications.
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4. MODAL EXPANSION AND SPATIAL AVERAGING; AN ITERATIVE METHOD OF SOLUTION
From the point of view represented in Figure 1.1, we are concerned in this section with representing the combustor dynamics. The procedure, often called `modeling' is based on the equations of motion constructed in the preceding section and hence in principle will contain all relevant physical processes11 . For the purposes here, all modeling of combustor dynamics and of combustion dynamics|the mechanisms and feedback in Figure 1.1|must be done in the context developed in Section 1. Thus we always have in mind the idea of wave motions somehow generated and sustained by interactions between the motions themselves and combustion processes, the latter also including certain aspects of the mean ow within the combustor. The simplest model of the combustion dynamics is a single wave, a classical acoustic resonance as in an organ pipe, but decaying or growing due to the other processes in the chamber. In practice, the combustion processes and nonlinear gasdynamical eects inevitably lead to the presence of more than one acoustic mode. We need a relatively simple yet accurate means of treating those phenomena for problems of the sort arising in the laboratory and in practice. Modeling in this case begins with construction of a suitable method for solving the nonlinear wave equations derived in Section 3.4. In this context we may regard the analysis of the Rijke tube covered in Section 2 as a basic example of the procedure stripped of the formalism covered in this section. The chief purpose of the analysis constructed here is, to devise methods capable of producing results useful for prediction and interpretation of unsteady motions in full-scale combustion chambers as well as for laboratory devices. That intention places serious demands on the methods used for at least two reasons: 1. processes that must be modeled are usually complicated and their theoretical representations are necessarily approximate to extents which themselves are dicult to assess; and 2. almost all input data required for quantitative evaluation of theoretical results are characterized by large uncertainties. In this situation it seems that for practical and, as it will turn out, for theoretical purposes as well, the most useful methods will be based on some sort of spatial averaging. Direct solution of the partial dierential equations, even for linear problems, is practically a hopeless task except for very special cases for simple geometries. Direct numerical simulations (DNS) or numerical solutions to the partial dierential equations are not yet a real alternative for practical purposes at this time, and are usually less attractive for obtaining basic understanding. However, as we will see later, numerical solutions oer the only means for assessing the validity of approximate solutions and always can treat more complicated (realistic?) problems than we can reasonably handle with the analytical methods discussed here. In any event, one should view theory and analysis on the one hand, and numerical simulations on the other, as complementary activities. The material on analysis and theory of combustion instabilities treated in these two lectures is based on a method of spatial averaging. The essential idea is of course not new, the method being nearly identical with similar methods used in other branches of continuum mechanics. There are a few special characteristics associated with applications to combustor that will appear in the course of the following discussion. 4.1. Application of a Green's Function for Steady Waves. The method used later to analyze nonlinear behavior has its origins in an early analysis of linear combustion instabilities in liquid rocket engines (Culick, 1961, 1963). That work was based on solution to problems of steady waves by introducing a Green's function. It is an eective strategy for this application because departures from a known soluble problem are small, due either to perturbations within the volume or at the boundary, all of order in the context developed in Section 3.
11 That seems to be what some people (notably electrical engineers it seems) mean by the term `physics-based modeling.' What would otherwise be the basis for acceptable modeling of a physical system has not been explained.
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The problem to be solved is dened by equation (3.54) and its boundary conditions (3.56) derived in Section 3.4, r2 p0 1 @ 2 p0 =h a2 @t2 0 n rp = f ^ (4.1) a,b
with h and f given by (3.61) a,b for linear stability. Because h and f are linear, various methods are available to build general solutions by applying the principle of superposition to elementary solutions representing steady waves. Hence we assume that the uctuating pressure eld is a steady wave system within the given chamber, having unknown spatial structure and varying harmonically in time: ^ a p0 = peikt (4.2) where k is the complex wavenumber, also initially unknown, 1 (4.3) k = (! i) a As dened here, positive means that the wave has growing amplitude, p0 et . Of course the wave is not strictly stationary, a condition existing only if = 0, certainly true when h = f = 0, as in classical acoustics. Even when h; f are non-zero, it is still possible that = 0, now dening a state of neutral stability. In general one must expect 60; it is a basic assumption in all of the analysis covered in this book that is small compared = with !, so the waves are slowly growing or decaying|they are àlmost' stationary, and their spatial structure does not change much in time. However, the results obtained are quite robust and seem often to be usable even when =! is not small. The problem here is to determine the spatial distribution p and the complex wavenumber k. For steady waves ^ we can write ^ a ^ a h = heikt ; f = f eikt 12 where again is a small parameter characterizing the smallness of h and f . Substitution in (4.1) a,b and dropping the common exponential time factor gives ^ ^ ^ r2 p + k2 p = h (4.4) a,b ^ n r^ = f ^ p
This is of course a well-known classical problem thoroughly discussed in many books. Many methods of solution are available for the linear problem. We use here a procedure based on introducing a Green's function discussed, for example, by Morse and Feshbach (1952, Chapter 10). This is an attractive method for several reasons, including: 1. Conversion from a dierential equation, and the iterative method of solution this suggests, is an eective means for minimizing the consequences of the uncertainties inherent in problems of combustor dynamics; 2. Explicit results can be obtained for real and imaginary parts of the complex wavenumber in forms that are easily interpreted and remarkably convenient both for theoretical work and for applications; 3. The method has motivated a straightforward extension to nonlinear problems, with considerable success. Dene a Green's function satisfying the homogeneous boundary and the wave equation homogeneous except at the single point where a source is located having zero spatial extent and innite strength such that is integral over space is nite. Thus the source is represented by a delta function (r r0 ) and G is determined as a solution to the problem r2 G(rjr0 ) + k2 G(rjr0 ) = (r r0 ) n rG(rjr0 ) = 0 ^
12 Later,
(4.5) a,b
will be identied with introduced in Section 3.3 but it is useful in this discussion to maintain a distinction.
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The notation rjr0 as the argument of G(rjr0 ) represents the interpretation of the Green's function as the wave observed at point r due to a steady oscillatory point source at r0 . Multiply ((4.4) a,b)a by G(rjr0 ), ((4.5) a,b)a by p(r), subtract the results and integrate over volume (in the ^ present case the volume of the chamber) to nd ZZZ ZZZ ^ ^ [G(rjr0 )^(r) p(r)G(rjr0 )] dV p ^ G(rjr0 )r2 p(r) p(r)r2 G (rjr0 )] dV + k2
V
ZZZ
V
^ G(rjr0 )h(r)
V ZZZ
(4.6) p(r)(r r0 )dV ^
^ Because G(rjr0 ) and p(r) are scalar functions the second integral on the right-hand side vanishes. The rst integral is rewritten using a form of Green's theorem, and the basic property of the delta function is applied to the second integral on the right-hand side: ZZZ F (r)(r r0 )dV = F (r) (r1 ; r0 in V ) (4.7)
V
Hence (4.6) becomes ZZZ Z Z ^ [G(rjr0 )r^(r) p(r)rG(rjr0 )] ndS = p ^ G(rjr0 )h(r)dV p(r0 ) ^
S V
where n is the outward normal at the surface of the volume V in question. ^ Now apply the boundary conditions (4.4) a,b and (4.5) a,b and the last equation can be written in the form 8 9 Z ZZ <Z = ^ ^ p(^0 ) = G(rjr0 )h(r)dV + r G(rs jr0 )f (rs )dS (4.8) : ;
V S
Subscript ( )s means the point rs lies on the boundary surface (actually on the inside surface of the boundary). Because the operator for scalar waves is self-adjoint (see Morse and Feshbach 1952, Chapter 10), the Green's function possesses the property of symmetry This property has the appealing physical interpretation that the wave observed at r due to a point source at r0 has the same amplitude and relative phase as for the wave observed at r0 when a point source is located at r. With (4.9) we can interchange r and r0 in (4.8) to nd for the steady eld at position r: 9 8 Z Z = <Z Z Z ^ ^ G(rjr0 )h(r0 )dV0 + G(rjr0s )f (r0s )dS (4.10) p(r) = ^ ; :
V S
G(rjr0 ) = G(r0 jr)
(4.9)
^ ^ Equation (4.10) is not an explicit solution for the pressure eld due to the source functions h and f , but is ^ ^ rather, an integral equation because h and f in general depend on the uctuating pressure and velocity elds themselves. However, because the sources are assumed to be small perturbations of the classical eld having no sources, is small and p will not dier greatly from a solution to the homogeneous problem dened by h = f = 0. ^ The result (4.10) represents the solution to the inhomogeneous problem; the complete solution is (4.10) plus a homogeneous solution. Advantage will be taken of the smallness of to nd an approximate explicit solution for p by an iterative procedure discussed in Section 4.1.1. ^ Whatever tactic one may choose to follow, the result (4.10) is of no practical value without having a representation of G(rjr0 ). The most convenient form of G(rjr0 ) for our purpose is expansion in eigenfunctions n (r), here the normal modes of the classical acoustics problem with no sources in the volume and homogeneous boundary conditions: G(rjr0 ) is therefore expressed as a modal expansion, 1 X An n (r) (4.11) G(rjr0 ) =
n=0
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where the n satisfy

2 r2 n + kn n = 0 n rn = 0 ^
(4.12) a,b
and the n are orthogonal functions,
ZZZ
V
2 m (r)n (r)dV = En mn
(4.13)
Substitute (4.11) in ((4.5) a,b)a, multiply by m (r) and integrate over the volume to nd Z ZZZ ZZZ 1 1 X X m An r2 n dV + k2 m An n dV = m (r)(r r0 )dV
V n=0 V n=0
With (4.7), ((4.12) a,b) and (4.13), this equation produces the formula for An : An = Thus the expansion (4.11) for G(rjr0 ) is n (r0 ) 2 kn k2 (4.14)
1 X n (r)n (r0 ) G(rjr0 ) = 2 E 2 (k 2 kn ) n=0 n
(4.15)
Suppose that for tending to zero, p(r) approaches the unperturbed mode shape N ; let the corresponding ^ function p be denoted pN , so ^ ^ ^ p ! pN = N ^
!0
the modal expansion of the Green's function. Substitution of (4.15) in (4.10) leads to the formal modal expansion of the pressure eld, 8 9 Z Z 1 <Z Z Z = X n (r) ^ ^ (4.16) n (r0 )h(r0 )dV0 + n (r0s )f (r0s )dS0 p(r) = ^ 2 2 ; En (k2 kn ) :
n=0 V S
(4.17)
and (4.18) becomes
where the prime in the summation sign means that the term n = N is missing. This form is consistent with the requirement (4.17) only if the factor multiplying N (r) is unity, giving the formula for the perturbed wavenumber 8 9 Z Z <Z Z Z = 2 ^ ^ (4.19) N (r0 )h(r0 )dV0 + N (r0s )f (r0s )dS0 k2 = kN + 2 ; EN :
V S 1 X0
Now separate the Nth term from the sum in (4.16) and write 8 9 Z Z <Z Z Z = ^ ^ N (r0 )h(r0 )dV0 + N (r0s )f (r0s )dS0 p(r) = N (r) 2 2 ^ 2 ; EN (k kN ) : S 8V 9 1 Z Z <Z Z Z = X0 n (r) ^ ^ + n (r0 )h(r0 )dV0 + n (r0s )f (r0s )dS0 2 2 ; En (k 2 kn ) :
n=0 V S
(4.18)
p(r) = N (r) + ^
n=0
n (r) 2 2 En (k2 kn ) :
8 <Z Z Z
V
9 Z Z = ^ ^ n (r0 )h(r0 )dV0 + n (r0s )f (r0s )dS0 ;

S
(4.20)
Another more direct derivation of (4.19) very useful in later analysis, may be had by rst multiplying ((4.4) a,b)a by N and integrating over the volume: ZZZ ZZZ ZZZ ^ N r2 pdV + k2 ^ N pdV = ^ N hdV
V V V
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Application of Green's theorem to the rst integral gives Z Z ZZ Z ZZZ ZZZ ^ pr2 N dV + [n r^ prn ] ndS + k2 ^ p ^ ^ n pdV = N hdV ^
V S 2 kN N V S
after inserting r N =
2 ^ The integral of N p in the denominator of (4.21) can be evaluated by using (4.20) and is exactly En , providing the series in (4.20) converges. Hence (4.21) is identical to (4.19). This simple calculation has shown that (4.19) and (4.20) are consistent.
and rN n = 0, rearrangement gives ^ 9 8 Z Z = <Z Z Z 2 ^ ^ k2 = kN + RRR N (r)h(r)dV + N (rs )f (rs )dS ; N pdV : ^
V V S
(4.21)
The preceding calculation contains several basic ideas behind much of the analysis used in these lectures. In summary, the original problem described by the dierential equation ((4.4) a,b)a and its boundary condition ((4.4) a,b)b are converted to an integral equation, in this case (4.10), established by introducing a Green's function. This is not an explicit solution because the functions h and f generally depend on the dependent variable p. ^ However, formulation as an integral equation forms a convenient basis for approximate solution by iteration. 4.1.1. Approximate Solution by Iteration. To apply an iterative procedure, it is necessary rst to give the Green's function G(rjr0 ) explicit form. The natural choice for problems of waves in a chamber is a series expansion in the natural modes of the chamber, a modal expansion, (4.15). For the small parameter tending to zero (i.e. all perturbations of the classical acoustics problem are small), a straightforward argument produces the formula (4.19) for the wavenumber and the integral equation (4.20) for p(r). ^ Equation (4.20) must be solved to give p before the wavenumber can be computed with (4.19). We should ^ emphasize that for many practical purposes, it is really k that is required, because its imaginary part determines the linear stability of the system ( = 0). The great advantage of this approach may be seen clearly with a simple ^ ^ example. Suppose f = 0 and h = K(1 + p) in (4.4) a,b. Then (4.20) and (4.19) become ^ 1 ZZZ X0 n (r) p(r) = N (r) + K ^ n (r0 )(1 + p)dV0 ^ (4.22) 2 2 En (k2 kn ) n=0 V ZZZ K 2 k2 = kN + 2 N (1 + p)dV0 ^ (4.23) EN
V
Because is assumed to be small, solution by successive approximation, i.e. an iterative procedure, is a logical way to proceed. The initial (zeroth) approximation to the mode shape p is (4.22) for = 0, p(0) = N . Substitution ^ ^ in (4.23) gives k2 correct to rst order in : ZZZ K 2 N (1 + N )dV0 (k 2 )(1) = kN + 2 EN V (4.24) KIN 2 = kN + 2 EN where IN stands for the integral. Calculation of p to rst order in requires setting p and k 2 to their zeroth order values on the right-hand ^ ^ 2 side of (4.22), p(0) = N , (k2 )(0) = kN : ^ 1 ZZZ X0 n (r) (1) n (r0 )(1 + N (r0 ))dV0 p (r) = N (r) + K ^ 2 2 2 En (kN kn ) n=0
V
= N + N
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Substitution of this formula for p under the integral in (4.23) then gives the second approximation (k 2 )(2) to k2 : ^ ZZZ K 2 (2) 2 N (1 + N + N )dV0 (k ) = kN + 2 EN V ZZZ (4.25) 2 (1) 2 K = (k ) + 2 N N dV0 EN
V
A wonderful property of the procedure is already apparent: Calculation of the wavenumber to some order l in the small parameter requires knowing the modal functions only to order l 1. That is the basis for the current standard practice of computing linear stability for solid propellant rockets (the Standard Stability Prediction Program, Nickerson et al. 1983) using the unperturbed acoustic modes computed for the geometry in question. The \perturbation-iteration" procedure just described is an old and widely used method to obtain solutions to nonlinear as well as linear problems. Often much attention is paid to achieving more accurate solutions by carrying the iterations to higher order in the small parameter. That is a legitimate process providing the equations themselves are valid to the order sought. In Section 3 we emphasized the importance of the expansion procedure largely for that reason. If the equations are valid, say, only to second order in the amplitude ("), there is no need|in fact no justication|to try to nd a solution to order "3 and higher. Similar remarks apply to the expansion in the average Mach number (). The procedure is fully explained in Section 4.5 for the equations derived in Section 3.4. 4.2. An Alternative Derivation of the First Order Formula. The results (4.19) and (4.21) for the complex wavenumber and mode shape can be constructively obtained in a dierent way. Both formulas provide 2 means for computing the dierences k2 kN and p N between the actual (perturbed) quantities and the un^ perturbed quantities. It is reasonable that those results should somehow follow from comparison of the perturbed ( 60) and unperturbed ( = 0) problems. The idea is to average the dierence between the two problems = weighted respectively by the other's mode shape. That is, subtract p times equation ((4.12) a,b)a from n times ^ ((4.4) a,b)a and integrate the result over the volume of the chamber: ZZZ ZZZ ZZZ ^ ^ ^ (k2 k2 )n pdV0 = ^ N hdV N r2 p pr2 N dV +
N V V V
Now apply Green's theorem to the rst integral, substitute the boundary conditions ((4.4) a,b)b and ((4.12) a,b)b and rearrange the result to nd (4.21): 9 8 Z Z = <Z Z Z 2 ^ ^ N (r)h(r)dV + N (rs )f (rs )dS (4.26) k2 = kN + RRR ; N pdV : ^
V V S
^ ^ If k2 is to be calculated to rst order in , then p must be replaced by its zero order approximation p = N . 2 Because the correction to kN contains the multiplier , any contributions of order multiplying give terms of order 2 . Hence to rst order, (4.26) of course becomes (4.19). This approach does not provide a recipe for computing the modal or basis functions to higher order. That does not cause diculty here because we have the procedure given in the preceding section. We will nd later that the simple derivation just given suggests a useful extension to time-dependent nonlinear problems. In that situation there is no result corresponding to (4.20) for computing the mode shapes to higher order. That deciency is a serious obstacle to further progress, a subject of current research. 4.3. Approximate Solution for Unsteady Nonlinear Motions. The method covered in the preceding two sections, based essentially in the use of Green's functions, was the rst application of modal expansions and spatial averaging to combustion instabilities (Culick 1961, 1963). In the early 1970's the procedure was extended
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to treat nonlinear problems, necessarily involving time-dependence (Culick 1971, 1975). We summarize that approach here.13 We begin with the general problem (4.1) a,b and assume an approximation p0 (r) to the pressure eld as a ~ truncated expansion in a set of basis functions m , p0 (r; t) = pr ~
M X
m (t)m (r)
(4.27)
m=0
In this work we will always take the m to be acoustic modes dened by the geometry, the distribution of average temperature and suitable boundary conditions.14 We would like the right-hand side of (4.27) to become more nearly equal to the actual pressure eld in the combustor as more terms are included in the series, so that p0 p0 ~ in the limit: M X lim p(r; t) = lim ~ m (t)m (r) (4.28)
M!1 M!1 m=0
Because the m do not satisfy the correct boundary conditions, this pointwise property certainly cannot be satised at the boundary. It is reasonable, however, to expect convergence in integral-squared sense; that is the integral of the square of the dierence between the exact solution and (4.27) satises #2 ZZZ " M X 0 lim m (t)m (r) dV = 0 (4.29) p (r; t) pr
M!1 m=0
We will not prove this properly, but assume its truth. Convergence in the sense asserted by (4.29) is a common idea arising, for example, in formal treatments of Sturm-Liouville problems; see Hildebrand 1952 for a very readable discussion. The matter of convergence of approximate solutions in the present context is more complicated because one must take into account the fact that the governing equations and their solutions are expanded in the two small parameters and " introduced in Section 3. We will also not discuss that problem. The synthesis of the pressure eld expressed by (4.27) does not restrict in any practical fashion the generality of the method. For denitions here we assume that the modal functions satisfy the homogeneous Neumann condition n rn = 0, but for some applications a dierent boundary condition, perhaps over only part of the ^ boundary, may serve better. Hence we will assume here that the n are eigensolutions to the problem (4.12) a,b. We require that the approximation (4.27) to p0 satisfy equation (4.1) a,b. Multiply (4.12) a,b written for N by p0 (r; t), subtract from (4.1) a,b written for p0 multiplied by N ; and integrate the dierence over the volume ~ ~ of the chamber to give ZZZ ZZZ ZZZ ZZZ 1 @ 2 p0 ~ 2 ~ ~ dV kN p0 N dV = ~ N hdV N r2 p0 p0 r2 N dV a2 @t2
V V V V
13 An alternative form based on an form of Galerkin's method, extended to accommodate the sorts of problems arising in the present context, was introduced rst by Zinn and his students. That procedure and the present method give identical equations before the expansion procedure is applied and further approximations are used. The applicability of that method seems to have been blunted in some cases by use of a velocity potential, thereby requiring that the unsteady eld be irrotational. It seems also that the 0 ordering procedure (in terms of the small parameters Mr and Mr ) (i.e. and ") has not been followed consistently, causing confusion in some derivations and conclusions. Those matters are discussed elsewhere. It seems likely that the extended form of Galerkin's method could give the same (or nearly so) results as found by the method discussed here, but the early works were not pursued further. There is no basis for comparison. 14 The selection of boundary conditions is part of the art of applying this method. Examples covered later will clarify the point. For the present, it is helpful to think of the m as classical acoustic modes for a volume having rigid walls and the same shape as the combustion chamber in question. The m therefore do not satisfy exactly the boundary conditions actually existing in a combustor. Hence the right-hand side of (4.27) is an approximation in two respects: the series is truncated to a nite number of terms and it does not satisfy the correct boundary conditions. However, the solution carried out to the next order does satisfy the boundary conditions to rst order. This important point is discussed in Chapter 10 of Morse and Feshbach (1952). The approximate nature of the modal expansion will be claried as the analysis proceeds.
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Now substitute the modal expansion (4.27) in the right-hand side: Z Z Z 2 ZZZ M M X ar pr X 2 2 pr m (t) m N dV kn pr m m N dV = EN 2 FN a2 m=0 r a ar m=0
V V
Apply Green's theorem to the rst integral, substitute the boundary conditions (4.1) a,b and (4.12) a,b and rearrange the result to give 8 9 ZZZ Z Z ZZZ <Z Z Z = 1 @ 2 p0 ~ 2 N dV + kN p0 N dV = ~ hN dV + f N dS (4.30) : ; a2 @t2
V V V S
(4.31)
where FN = a2 r
and ar is a constant reference speed of sound. The second sum reduces, due to the orthogonality of the m , to 2 n En . Under the rst integrals, write a 2 r (4.33) a = 1 a Then the rst sum in (4.31) is ZZZ ZZZ M M X X 2 m (t) (1 a ) m N dV = EN N m (t) a m N dV (4.34)
m=0 V m=0 V
pr EN : 2
8 <Z Z Z
V
9 Z Z = hN dV + f N dS ;
S
(4.32)
With these changes, equation (4.31) becomes N +

2 !N N
ZZZ M 1 X = FN + 2 m (t) a m N dV EN m=0

V
(4.35)
The sum on the right-hand side represents part of the eect of a non-uniform speed of sound in the chamber (if a 60). To simplify writing we will ignore this term until we consider special problems in later chapters. For = solid rockets it is a negligible contribution. If the combustor contains ame sheets, the temperature is piecewise uniform and this term also doesn't appear, but the presence of the discontinuities generates corresponding terms arising from FN . Thus there are useful situations in which we deal with the system of equations:
2 N + !N N = FN
(4.36)
This result, a set of coupled nonlinear equations with the forcing function FN given by (4.34), is the basis for practically all of the analysis and theory discussed in the remainder of this book. A corresponding result is given in Appendix B for a purely one-dimensional formulation. In anticipation of later discussions, several general remarks are in order. (i) The formulation expressed by (4.36) accommodates all relevant physical processes. In the derivation of the conservation equations in Appendix A, only inconsequential approximations were made, notably the neglect of multi-component diusion and the representation of the reacting multi-phase medium by a single-uid model. However, only the basic gasdynamics are known explicitly. All other processes must be modeled in suitable forms. (ii) Despite the apparent generality of (4.36) attention must be paid to an assumption implied in the application of Green's theorem in spatial averaging. That is, the functions involved must possess certain properties of continuity within the volume of averaging. The condition is not satised, for example, at a ame sheet, where the velocity is discontinuous, an important exception. (iii) The selection of functions for the modal expansion (4.27) is not unique; possible alternatives must always be considered. What works best depends on the nature of the boundary conditions. The closer the boundary is to a rigid reecting surface, the more eective is the choice n rN = 0, meaning that the acoustic velocity vanishes on the boundary. Because a ^
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combustor must provide for inow of reactants and exhaust of products, it is simply not possible that the actual enclosure be everywhere rigid and perfectly reecting. For n rN = 0 ^ to be a good approximation, as it should be for the modal expansion to serve successfully as a zeroth approximation to the pressure eld, the boundary must be `nearly' reecting. Choked inlets and outlets satisfy the condition if the Mach number at the chamber side is small (that is, the ow within the volume is consistent with the assumption 1). Also, the dynamical response of burning solid propellants is normally such that requiring n rN = 0 ^ is a good choice. Hence, over a broad useful range of practical conditions, dening the modal expansion functions with (4.12) a,b is a reasonable choice. Exceptions are not rare, however, and care must be exercised. For example, a Rijke tube (Section 2) will contain a heater, or a thin combustion region within the duct. Continuous functions N may not be good zeroth approximations to the actual behavior discontinuous at the heating zone; moreover, in that case n rN = 0 at the ends is the proper choice for boundary conditions on the modal ^ functions. More generally, if the temperature eld is highly non-uniform, then the zeroth order expansion functions should take that feature into account. (iv) An enormous advantage of the result (4.36) is its clear interpretation. A general unsteady motion in a combustor is represented by the time-evolution of a system of coupled nonlinear oscillators in one-to-one correspondence with the modes N . Although the left-hand side of (4.36) describes the motion of a linear oscillator, the forcing function FN will in general contain terms in N representing linear and nonlinear damping, springiness and inertia. Consequently, as we will see, it is easy to nd familiar nonlinear dierential equations as special cases of (4.36). Such special results aid greatly interpretation of complicated observed behavior in terms of simpler elementary motions. Thus it is important to understand the connections between parameter dening the oscillators, the characteristics of the modes, and the denitions provided in the process of spatial averaging. (v) Dierent problems are distinguished chiey in two respects: Geometry of the combustor; and the form of the forcing function FN . The forcing function contains the inuences of gasdynamics explicitly, but all other processes must be modeled, either with theory or based on experimental results. The geometry and the boundary conditions determine the modal expansion functions N and the frequencies !N . For complicated geometries, as for many large solid propellant rockets and for most gas turbine combustors, computation of the N and !N has been a time-consuming and expensive process. That situation is gradually changing with the development of more capable software. (vi) The relatively general context in which the oscillator equations have been derived does not exclude simpler problems which can either be treated as special cases or constructed without reference to the procedures worked out here. However, it is then often more dicult to be certain that all important processes are accounted for or properly ignored. 4.4. Application of Time-Averaging. To this point the expansion procedure based on two small parameters has been used only to derive the systems of equations describing successively more dicult classes or problems in Section 3.3.2. There are at least two additional reasons for introducing that procedure. Later we will see how an iterative method based partly on the expansion reduces those systems of equations to more readily soluble forms. In this section we apply time-averaging to convert the second-order equations (4.36) to rst order equations. First, two remarks: (i) Use of time-averaging is motivated by the experimental observation that combustion instabilities commonly show slowly varying amplitudes and phases of the modes contributing to the motions. That behavior is a consequence of the relative weakness of the disturbing processes and is therefore measured by the small parameter characteristic of the Mach number of the mean ow. It is essential to understand that it is not the amplitudes themselves (i.e. the parameter ") that matters. Thus the application of time-averaging in the present context is not intended to treat nonlinear behavior, but is based on the weak coupling between the mean ow and the unsteady motions.
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(ii) Two-time scaling is an alternative method to time-averaging. The results obtained are identical up to second order acoustics (Section 3.3.3(II) and 3.4), a conclusion not shown here but consistent with similar previous works in other elds. According to the discussion in Section 3.3.2, we can characterize the functions h and f , and hence the forcing function Fn , as sums of terms each of which is of order and of zeroth or rst order in ". Thus for example, the right-hand side of (3.62) a,b has the form " " f[M]g1 + fMg2 The divergence of these terms eventually appears in h and Fn . Hence we are justied in taking Fn of order ; to show this explicitly write (4.36) as
2 N + !N N = GN
(4.37)
In any event, for small, the N dier but little from sinusoids so (without approximation) it is reasonable to express N (t) in the equivalent forms N (t) = rN (t) sin (!N t + N (t)) = AN (t) sin !N t + BN (t) cos !N t and AN (t) = rN cos N ; BN = rN sin N q (4.39) AN 2 rN = A2 + BN ; N = tan1 N BN One way to proceed follows a physical argument based on examining the time evolution of the energy of the oscillator having amplitude N (Culick 1976). The energy E is the sum of kinetic and potential energies, N 1 2 1 2 2 E (t) = N + !N N (4.40) _ N 2 2 The time-averaged values of the energy and power input to the oscillator, due to the action of the force GN , Z Z 1 t+ 1 t+ E dt0 ; hGN N i = _ GN N dt0 _ (4.41) N t t Conservation of energy requires that the time-averaged rate of change of energy equal the time-averaged rate of work done by GN on the oscillator: d _ (4.42) hE i = hGN N i N dt hE i = N From (4.38), the velocity is h i _ N = !N rN cos (!N t + N ) + rN sin (!N t + N ) + N rN cos (!N t + N ) _ _ are (4.38)
(4.43)
Following Krylov and Bogoliubov (1947) we apply the `strong' condition that the velocity is always given by the formula for an oscillator is force-free-motion, N = !N rN cos (!N t + N ) _ Hence (4.43) is consistent with this requirement only if _ rN sin (!N t + N ) + N rN cos (!N t + N ) = 0 _ Now use the denitions (4.36), (4.38), (4.39) and (4.42) to nd 1 2 2 E = !N rN N 2 GN N = GN !N rN cos (!N t + N ) _ (4.44) (4.45)
(4.46) a,b
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The statement \slowly varying amplitude and phase" means that the fractional changes of amplitude and phase are small in one cycle of the oscillation and during the interval of averaging if is at least equal to the period of the fundamental mode: drN dN 1; 1 (4.47) rN dt 2 dt These inequalities imply that rN and N may be treated as constants during the averaging carried out in (4.41). To see this, imagine that rN for example, is expanded in Taylor series for some time t1 in the interval , t < t1 < t+ : drN + rN (t) = rN (t1 ) + (t t1 ) dt t1 _ For rN slowly varying, rN doesn't vary much during a period and may be assigned some average value. The increment t t1 has maximum value ; so the second term is negligible according to the rst of (4.41). Therefore rN (t) rN (t1 ) for any t1 in the interval of averaging and the assertion is proved. Substitution of (4.46) a,b in (4.42) then gives !N rN and drN 1 = dt !N rN drN = dt Z
t
Z
t
t+
GN cos(!N t0 + N )dt0
t+
GN cos(!N t0 + N )dt0
(4.48)
The corresponding equation for the phase N (t) is found by substituting (4.38) and (4.39) in (4.45) to give dN rN GN sin(!N t + N ) (4.49) = dt !N Now time average this equation over the interval , the left-hand side is approximately constant for theorem give above, and the equation for N (t) is Z t+ 1 dN GN sin(!N t0 + N )dt0 (4.50) rN = dt !N t With the relations (4.39), equations (4.48) and (4.50) can be converted to equations for AN and BN : Z t+ dAN GN cos !N t0 dt0 = dt !N t (4.51) a,b Z t+ dBN GN sin !N t0 dt0 = dt !N t t Whichever pair one chooses to use, (4.48) and (4.50) or (4.51) a,b, the general formal problem of solving a system of coupled second order equations (4.37) for the oscillators, has been converted to the simpler approximate formal problem of solving a system of coupled rst order equations. The essential basis for that conversion is the removal of the fast oscillatory behavior with the denition (4.38), a transformation made possible because the changes of amplitudes and phases take place on a much slower (i.e. longer) time scale than do the oscillations. The presence and role of two time scales is more evident in the following alternative derivation: From the second equality of (4.38), we nd the velocity h i N = !N [AN cos !N t BN sin !N t] + A_N sin !N t + B_N cos !N t _ (4.52) (4.53)
Now enforce the condition corresponding to (4.45), A_N sin !N t + B_N cos !N t = 0 and the velocity is N = !N [AN cos !N t BN sin !N t] _
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Substitution in (4.37) gives i h 2 !N A_N cos !N t B_N sin !N t + !N [AN sin !N t BN cos !N t]
2 + !N [AN sin !N t + BN cos !N t] = GN
A_N cos !N t B_N sin !N t = GN !N _ Multiply by cos !N t and substitute (4.52) for BN cos !N t to give h i GN cos !N t A_N cos2 !N t sin !N t A_N sin !N t = !N so dAN GN cos !N t = dt !N Similarly, dBN GN sin !N t = dt !N
and
(4.54)
(4.55)
We now introduce two time-scales, f the rst scale, of the order of the period of the fundamental oscillation (in fact, we might as well set f = 2=!1 ); and s , the slow scale characterizing transient changes of the amplitudes and phases of the oscillations. Two corresponding dimensionless time variables can be dened, tf = t=f and ts = t=s . Thus we consider the amplitudes and phases to be functions of the slow variable ts while the forcing functions GN depend on both tf and to because they depend on the N , (i = 1; 2; ) ! !N N N = AN (ts ) sin 2 tf tf + BN (ts ) cos 2 ! !1 In terms of the dimensionless time variables, 1 dAN = GN cos !N t s dts !N and averaging over the fast variable we have Z Z t+f 1 !N 0 1 tf +f 1 dAN 0 dtf = GN cos 2 t dt0 f s tf s dt0 !N f tf !1 f s On the left-hand side, dAN =dt0 is assume to be sensibly constant in the interval f and we have s Z t+f 0 0 !N 0 1 dAN = GN tf ; ts cos 2 t dt0 f s dt0 !N f tf !1 f s
(4.56)
Those parts of GN depending on t0 are taken also to be constant and if we now rewrite this equation in terms of s dimensional variables, we recover (4.51)a with = f = 2=!. Similar calculations will produce again (4.51)b. Note that due to the nonlinear coupling, the amplitude and phases of all modes normally change on roughly the same scale as that for the fundamental mode; thus the single interval of averaging works for all modes. In Section 7.2 we will use a continuation method to assess the ranges of parameters and other conditions for which the rst order equations give accurate results when compared with solutions to the complete oscillator equations. In the development of the theoretical matters described in this book, the sets of rst order equations have been central. They remain extremely useful both for theoretical work and for applications. 4.5. The Procedure for Iterative Solution. The oscillator equations (4.33) and (4.34) are not yet in a form that can be readily solved because the functions FN , dened by (4.30) contain not only p0 but also the dependent variables 0 , T 0 and u0 in the functions h and f . With the two-parameter expansion as the basis, the iteration procedure provides a means for expressing FN in terms of p0 only. Thus eventually the oscillator equations become a system soluble for the modal amplitudes N (t). There are of course approximations required, but magnitudes of their eects can always be estimated in terms of the parameters " and . To appreciate how the procedure is constructed, it is helpful always to keep in mind the correspondence between the smallness of " and , and the distortions they represent of the unperturbed classical acoustic eld.
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There are two chief types of distortions or perturbations: Those represented by ", arising as nonlinear eects of nite amplitudes,15 classied generally as energy transfer between modes; and those measured by , consequences of interactions, hence energy transfer, between the steady and unsteady elds. Each of those types of perturbations may be identied within the volume in question and at the boundary. Quite generally, then, we must take into account perturbations of the classical acoustic eld, associated with three kinds of energy transfer: linear transfer between the mean and uctuating motions; nonlinear transfer between modes, or mode coupling, independent of the average ow eld; and nonlinear energy transfer between the mean ow and uctuating elds. The way in which we view and accommodate those perturbations determines our choice of basis functions N used in the modal expansion (4.27). 4.5.1. Linear Energy Transfer Between the Mean and Fluctuating Motions. Any combustor designed for steady, or at most slowly varying conditions on the acoustic time scale, must have provision for supplying reactants and exhausting products. There must therefore be average ow within the volume and through openings in the enclosing boundary. If the reactants are liquid or gaseous, then openings exist for both inow and outow. In combustors for solid propellants, ow enters at the boundary but there are not openings for that purpose. (A) Volumetric Interactions The general equations of motion in principle contain all interactions between the mean and uctuating motions within the volume. Many are shown explicitly as the bracketted terms [M], M , [1 ], fp1 g, dened in Section (3.3). Those terms in the forms given there account for interactions of the mean ow velocity with the acoustic eld and have long served that purpose well in investigations of combustion instabilities. Additional consideration are required to treat interactions associated with entropy and vorticity waves, including turbulence and noise, a subject covered in Section (7.4). Special eects also arise when the average temperature eld is nonuniform; the last term in (4.33) represents one consequence of nonuniform average temperature but others are contained in the formula given for h, equation (3.55). Nonuniformities of temperature cause nonuniformities in the speed of sound which may be regarded as nonuniformities in the index of refraction for acoustic waves. Thus in the general context of wave motions, phenomena such as refraction and diraction must arise. However, the analysis covered here for wave systems slowly varying on the acoustic time scale, obscures wave phenomena of that sort; they have rarely been addressed explicitly in the eld of combustion instabilities and then only in connection with very special problems. However, the consequences of refraction and diraction are contained implicitly in distortions of the structure of the steady waves. It is extremely important that large dierences in the average speed of sound be accounted for as accurately as possible. That is best done by including them in the functions used in the modal expansion. Formally that amounts to including all terms in h representing linear interactions between the acoustic and mean elds, in the equations for the m . That is, such large perturbations are better not included in the procedure best suited for dealing with small perturbations. In practice, the only example of this tactic have been concerned with ows in ducts containing a compact zone of heating thin relative to the acoustic wavelength. The modal functions are then formed in piecewise fashion, the usual wave equation being solved separately for the two regions characterized by dierent uniform temperatures upstream and downstream of the zone of heating treated as a surface of discontinuity. Then the functions are joined with suitable matching conditions. For the most part, therefore, energy transfer between the acoustic eld and the mean ow within the volume of a combustor is due to interactions with the mean velocity, characterized by the parameter . The analysis is strictly limited to perturbations linear in the Mach number of the mean ow (see the footnote in the preceding page). (B) Boundary Conditions The situation in respect to processes at the boundary is considerably more complicated and in fact cannot be placed in a rm basis without detailed examination of ancillary problems. Only two possibilities have so far been
15 Recall that in this work, nonlinear behavior is measured in terms of the amplitude " of the unsteady motions. It is intrinsic to their derivation (Section 3) that the governing equations are linear in , i.e. in the Mach number of the mean ow.
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of practical interest: physical openings in the boundary of the combustor; and a burning surface. Conditions to be set on the acoustic eld at an opening depend on the ow eld through and outside the boundary. In classical acoustics with no ow, an opening into an atmosphere held at constant pressure is almost perfectly reecting, with the uctuating pressure nearly zero in the plane of the opening. A perfectly reecting rigid wall causes the uctuating velocity to vanish there. Thus in those two limits, the boundary conditions to 0th order on the pressure eld are respectively p0 = 0 and n rp0 = 0. ^ Subsonic ow through an orice presents a boundary condition to acoustic waves closer to the case of no ow, p0 0, than to a rigid wall. On the other hand, if the inlet ow is choked upstream close16 to the orice, or the outlet ow exhausts through a choked nozzle, the boundary condition is closer to the for a rigid wall, n rp0 0. ^ That is the case for propulsion systems, with the possible exception of the primary combustion chamber in a gas turbine. The actual boundary conditions are more complicated but for linear behavior can be represented by impedance or admittance functions dened for steady waves. For the more common case of choked ows, that boundary condition is expressed as where As = as is the dimensional admittance function shown here to be proportional to the Mach number of the average ow. (Tsien 1952; Crocco and Cheng 1956; Culick 1961, 1963) Generally, As is a complex function, As = jAs jeiA = jas jeiA (4.58) n u (rs ; w) = As (rs ; w) p (rs ; w) = as (rs ; w) p (rs ; w) ^ ^ ^ ^ (4.57)
An equivalent form is
The representation (4.57) is based on the idea that when exposed to an oscillatory uctuation of pressure, a physical surface responds in rst approximation such that its velocity normal to itself is proportional to the impressed pressure, possibly with a phase or time delay. That idea is extended in the present context to describe uctuations of ow at a ctious surface forming part of the boundary enclosing the combustor volume, or at the downstream edge of the combustion zone at a burning surface. Thus we have a simple and direct way of making explicit the rst term in the denition (3.57) of the boundary function f for steady waves: @M0 @u0 @ a n = a ^ n = a ^ n u (rs ; w) eikt ^ ^ @t @t @t a (4.59) = aas (rs ; t) ikp (rs ; w) eikt a ^ a = a2 k ijas jeia p (rs ; w) eikt ^ @M0 a ^ n = a2 k fIm(as ) + i Re(as )g p (rs ; w) eikt ^ @t (4.60)
Although the admittance function is dened for steady waves initially, (4.49) can be converted to a form approximately applicable to problems having arbitrary dependence on time. The time derivative of some function ' for steady waves, so we can make the correspondence @' @' ! ik a @t @t Hence we write (4.49) as @p0 @M0 n = a ak Im fas g p0 + Re fas g ^ (4.61) @t @t This form of a boundary condition will be useful in later applications. The chief point here is that for choked inlet and exhaust ows, the function f in the boundary condition n rp0 = f is of order . That is, perturbations from the condition dening a rigid impermeable wall are all ^ proportional to the magnitude of the Mach number of the mean ow. Corresponding reasoning applies to the less important case of subsonic ow exhausting into surroundings held at constant pressure.17 Now we set the
means within a short distance relative to the wavelength of the dominant oscillation. important for practical applications. However there are many laboratory devices operating at close to atmospheric pressure and exhausting into the atmosphere for which the condition treated here is appropriate.
17 Less 16 `Close'
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boundary condition by using (3.51) evaluated at the boundary; for 1 0 p = pr M0 + f[p]1 g 1 ak
linear steady waves we have 1 0 P " r=rs
(4.62)
Again we may dene an admittance function to eliminate r M0 in favor of the local pressure uctuation. We 1 leave the calculation to special applications. We conclude that for linear problems, perturbations of the classical acoustics problem due to energy transfer between the mean and unsteady elds are represented to order , both within the volume and at the boundary. This result is of course consistent with the order to which the dierential equations are valid within the approximation used here (see a remark following equation (3.39). For that reason, we cannot in any event carry terms of higher order in unless the governing equations used here are re-derived. As an example to illustrate some implications of the preceding remarks, consider the case of ow through a uniform duct of length L, supplied through choked valves and exhausting through a choked nozzle. Suppose that by some means, for example by installing a speaker, oscillations can be excited and sustained in the duct. If there were no ow and rigid plates were placed at both ends (z = 0; L), classical òrgan pipe' acoustic modes would be found experimentally, having frequencies !N = n(=L). The velocity and pressure distributions for these steady a axial modes are proportional to sin kN x and cos kN x respectively. Suppose we set, for example, ^ p0 (z; t) = p0 cos kN z cos !N t (4.63) where !N = akN . The unperturbed acoustic momentum equation, @u0 = rp0 @t is satised with (4.52) if u0 has only the axial component, p0 ^ (4.64) sin kN z sin !N t u0 (z; t) = a The velocity eld has nodes (u0 = 0) at the ends and the pressure eld has anti-nodes, reaching maximum amplitude p0 when t = 0, 2=!N , 4=!N , . Now suppose that average ow is introduced and that the cross^ sectional areas available for the ow upstream and downstream are small fractions of the cross-sectional area of the duct. Then the average Mach numbers at z = 0, L are small ( 1). Hence the distortions of the classical organ pipe modes are small. In particular, the modes of the velocity eld are slightly displaced by the same amounts downstream of their unperturbed positions at x = 0, L. Thus the wavelength and frequency of the modes are unchanged and the unperturbed mode shapes are close approximations to the actual shapes with the ow, as sketched in Figure 4.1.
L/2
NODES
Figure 4.1. Fundamental Longitudinal Mode, Velocity Mode Shape: { { { { Classical (no ow); || Duct with ow choked upstream and downstream If the Mach numbers at the entrance (z = 0) and at the exit (z = L) are not small, then the nodes of the velocity wave are displaced by larger amounts, but the wavelength, and hence the frequency, suer only small changes. This behavior suggests what is true quite generally in practice, that the processes in a combustion
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chamber have relatively small eects in the frequencies of the normal modes. Consequently, as we will emphasize repeatedly, comparison of observed frequencies with those predicted is not a useful basis for assessing the correctness of the theory in question. 4.5.2. Energy Transfer Between Modes; Nonlinear Mode Coupling. If the functions N used in the modal expansion are those computed according to classical acoustics, then in general linear coupling between modes will appear in the right-hand sides of the systems (4.33) and (4.34). When the mean ow eld is nonuniform, interactions between the mean and uctuating elds will cause linear mode coupling proportional to the average Mach number. Formally such contributions are included among those discussed in the preceding section, i.e. they are of order . In principle, linear coupling between modes can be formally eliminated by transformation to a new set of modal expansion functions by diagonalizing the matrix of coecients (Culick 1997). There may be some applications for which the linear coupling should be explicitly treated, but here we assume that either linear coupling is absent on physical grounds or has been eliminated by suitable transformation. Hence energy transfer between modes is of order "2 or higher and is necessarily nonlinear; calculations in the next section show that we can write the system (4.34) schematically in the form
N The function FN L contains all nonlinear processes. According to its development in Section 3 consists of a sum of groups of terms of order ", "2 , , ", "2 , . In general, FN cannot be represented by a diagonal matrix: Nonlinear coupling of the modes always exists and, among other consequences, is an important process in the evolution of linear unstable motions into stable limit cycles. 2 N N + !N N = (DN N + EN N ) + FN L _
(4.65)
4.5.3. Zeroth and First Order Solutions to the Oscillator Equation. We defer to a later section analysis including nonlinear energy transfer of order ", and we assume that the average temperature is approximately uniform, so the last term of (4.33) is negligible. The problem comes down to solving (4.34) for the N (t),
2 N + !N N = FN
(4.66)
with FN
and h and f are given by (3.55) and (3.57): rM0 + M0 rM 1 @ M rp0 + p0 r M h= r M a2 @t 0 0 @M 1 @ 0 0 0 0 r M rM + 2 (M rp + p r M) @t a @t P P 1 1 @P0 1 @P0 1 0 1 1 0 + r F 2 + r F 2 a @t p a @t
8 ZZZ a2 < r = pr EN : 2
9 Z Z = hN dV + f N dS ; v
S
(4.67)
(4.68)
f =
@M0 @M0 F F ^ ^ ^ n + n M0 rM + M rM0 + n M0 rM0 + 0 ^ ^ + [F 0 ] n + fF 0 g n @t @t
(4.69)
Recall that the left-hand side of (4.55) follows upon inserting in the linear wave operator the modal expansion (4.27) for p0 ; p0 = pr
M X
m (t)m (r)
(4.70)
m=1
The iterative procedure is a way of expressing the driving forces FN in terms of the amplitudes m , so (4.55) becomes a system of equations for the amplitudes. As we have explained earlier (Section 3.3) we use " as a
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measure of the size of the pressure disturbance and write always p0 = "p1 (r1 ; t) (4.71) However, we must allow the other dependent variables vary with " in a more complicated manner; it is reasonable at this point to assume dependence as a power series in ": M0 = "M1 + "2 M2 + T 0 = "T1 + "2 T2 + (4.72)
and so forth. All components of the uctuations, p1 , M1 , M2 , , T1 , T2 , become distorted by the mean ow. That possibility is taken into account by writing p0 ="p1 = " p10 + p11 + 2 p12 + M0 ="M1 + "2 M2 + = " [M0 + M11 + ] 10 T ="T1 + " T2 + = " [T10 + T11 + ] It is apparent that the number of functions to be determined rapidly gets out of hand as more terms are retained in the series expansion. However to the order we choose to investigate here, that diculty doesn't appear, for the following reason. Examine a typical terms in h say the rst in each of the brackets: h = r M1 rM0 + fr (M0 rM0 ) + g + 0 2 0 = r M1 r "M1 + " M2 + + r "M0 + "2 M0 + r "M0 + "2 M0 + + + 1 2 1 2 Now substitute (4.62) to give h = r M1 r "M0 + "M0 + + "2 M0 + "2 M0 + + = 10 11 20 21 Multiplying the various brackets and showing explicitly only those terms to be retained, we nd h = "r M1 rM0 + r "2 M10 rM10 + + 10 r f("M10 + "M0 + ) r ("M0 + "M0 + ) + g + 11 10 11 + "2 [T20 + T21 + ] + "2 [M0 + M21 + ] 20
2
(4.73)
This procedure leads eventually to the forms for h and f with only terms of order " and "2 : 1 @ h = " r M1 rM10 + M10 rM1 2 M1 rp10 + p10 r M1 a @t 10 @M10 1 @ "2 r M10 rM10 + 2 (M10 rp10 + p10 r M10 ) @t a @t P P 1 1 @P0 1 1 @P0 1 0 1 0 + " r F 2 + "2 r F 2 a @t a @t "2 @M0 @M0 f = + + "n M10 rM1 + M1 rM10 ^ n ^ n ^ @t @t " "2 F ^ F ^ + " n fM10 rM10 g + " [F n]" + " fF ng"2 ^
2 0 2 0
(4.74)
(4.75)
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5. SOME FUNDAMENTALS OF ACOUSTICS According to the experiences related in Section 1, combustion instabilities may be regarded as unsteady motions closely approximated as classical acoustical motions with perturbations due ultimately to combustion processes. That view, initially an emprical conclusion, motivated the general form of the analytical framework constructed in Section 4. Relatively little knowledge of classical acoustics is required to understand and apply that construction formally. However, interpretation of the details of observed behavior, and eective use of the theory to develop accurate representations of actual motions in combustors require rm understanding of the fundamentals of acoustics. The purpose of this section is to provide a condensed summary of the basic parts of the subject most relevant to the main subject of this book. We therefore ignore those processes distinguishing combustion chambers from other acoustical systems. Except for brief discussion of nonlinear gas dynamics, we restrict attention to the Problem O dened in Sections 3.3.3 and 3.4. 5.1. The Linearized Equations of Motion; The Velocity Potential. We will be concerned here with unsteady motions in a pure non-reacting gas at rest. The governing equations are 3.40 for Problem O, Classical Acoustics, leading to the corresponding wave equation and its boundary condition, equations 3.52 with h0 and f0 given by 3.55 for constant average density and written with dimensional variables: 1 @ 2 p0 1 @P0 = r F0 2 a2 @t2 a @t (5.1) a,b @u0 0 ^ n rp = ^ n F0 n ^ @t In the absence of condensed material, the denitions (A.18) and (A.20) of the unperturbed functions F and P are: r2 p0 F = r v + me uwe i R h$ v r u r q Qe + RT we P= Cv where v : viscous stress tensor (force/area) q : rate of conductive heat transfer (energy/area-s) me : rate of momentum addition by external sources (mass-velocity/volume-s) we : rate of mass addition by external sources (mass/volume-s) Qe : rate of energy addition by external sources (energy/volume-s) Thus the function F contains all processes causing changes of momentum of the gas, except for that due to internal pressure dierences; and P represents all sources of energy addition. The linearized forms of the source terms will be constructed as required for specic problems. For most of this section we will treat only problems for which h0 and f0 vanish, giving the simplest equations for classical acoustics, r2 p0 1 @ 2 p0 =0 a2 @t2 n rp0 = 0 ^ (5.4) a,b
$ $
(5.2) (5.3)
With no sources in the volume or on the boundary, motions exist only for initial value problems in which the pressure and its time derivative are specied at some initial time, t0 . In this case, the wave equation is used to describe freely propagating waves following an initial disturbance or, when the boundary condition (5.13)b is enforced, the normal modes for a volume enclosed by a rigid boundary. The condition n rp0 = 0 means that the velocity normal to the boundary is zero, because the acoustic velocity ^ is computed from the acoustic momentum (3.40)b written in dimensional form with F = 0: @u0 = rp0 @t (5.5)
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so n rp0 = ^ from which
@u0 @t (5.6)
1 @ (^ u0 ) = n rp0 = 0 n ^ @t Hence n u0 = 0 always ^
We have just derived the equations for classical acoustics by specializing the general equations of unsteady motion. It is also useful to arrive at the same conclusion in a slightly dierent way, beginning with the equations for inviscid motion in a homogeneous medium: @ Conservation of Mass : + r (u) = 0 (5.7) @t @u Conservation of Momentum : + u ru + rp = 0 (5.8) @t 1 1 @ (5.9) e + u2 + u r e + u2 + r (pu) = 0 Conservation of Energy : @t 2 2 Equation of State : p = RT (5.10) Remove the kinetic energy from the energy equation by subtracting u (momentum equation) to give De + pr u = 0 Dt
(5.11)
D where Dt = @(@t ) + u r( ). Because all irreversible processes have been ignored the entropy of a uid element remains constant, Ds = 0, a result that follows directly by substituting the mass and energy equations in the Dt thermodynamic denition of the entropy of an element: Ds De p D p = = pr u + (r u) = 0 (5.12) Dt Dt Dt Taking the density to be a function of pressure and entropy, we can write for an isentropic process @ @ 1 @ ds + dp = dp = 2 dp (5.13) d = @s p @p s @p s a
where a =
2
@ @p
(5.14)
will turn out to be the speed of propagation of small disturbances, the 'speed of sound'. With this denition, we can rewrite the continuity equation (5.7) for the pressure: @p (5.15) + a2 r u + u rp = 0 @t This result is quite general: in particular, its derivation did not involve using the special characteristics of a perfect gas. Alternatively, we may derive this equation for the special case of a perfect gas for which de = Cv (T )dT and 1 the equation of state is (5.10). Add T times (5.7) to Cv times (5.11) with de = Cv dT ; then use (5.10) to nd @p R pr u + u rp = 0 (5.16) + 1+ @t CV But R = Cp Cv , so R=Cv = 1 for a perfect gas. Comparison of (5.14) and (5.15) gives the formula for the speed of sound in a perfect gas: r p p a2 = (5.17) = RT
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For an isentropic process of a perfect gas, equation (5.13) can be integrated, d = a2 dp = dp p which gives p = p0 0 where 0 , p0 are constant reference values. We may now eliminate the density from the momentum equation (5.8) to nd 1=2 @u 1 p0 rp = 0 + u ru + @t 0 p
(5.18)
(5.19)
Finally, we obtain the wave equation for the pressure by dierentiating (5.16) with respect to time and substituting (5.19) and a2 = p=: rp @p @ @2p 2 p a0 r = pr (u ru) r u (u rp) (5.20) @t2 p0 @t @t (p=p0 )1= The boundary condition is dened by taking the component of (5.19) normal to the boundary: 1=2 @u p 0 n ^ n rp = ^ + n r (u ru) ^ p0 @t
(5.21)
Equation (5.20) and its boundary condition are easily linearized by assuming that the gas is at rest and that the uctuations are all of the same order. To second order in the uctuations we nd @p0 @ @ 2 p0 a2 r2 p0 = p0 r (u0 ru0 ) r u0 (u0 rp0 ) 0 @t2 @t @t ( (5.22) 0 0 2 ) p p p0 2 + 0 ( 1) r r p0 p0 p0 0 0 0 1 p @u @u 0 0 0 n rp = 0 ^ (5.23) n 0 ^ n + n (u ru ) ^ ^ @t p0 @t Equations (5.4) a,b are recovered when the second order terms are neglected. 5.1.1. The Velocity Potential. It is often convenient to introduce scalar and vector potentials and A from which the velocity is found by dierentiation: With this representation, the dilation and curl (rotation) of the velocity eld are separated: In general, both potentials are required if the mean velocity is non-zero or sources are present in the ow. The boundary conditions may also induce non-zero rotational ow. Here only the scalar potential is required for small amplitude motions because in that limit, the classical acoustic momentum is (5.5); taking the curl with uniform average density gives @ (r u0 ) = r (rp0 ) = 0 @t Hence if r u0 = 0 initially, it remains so and we can take A = 0. The acoustic equations for momentum, 3.40 and 3.40 in dimensional variables are @u0 1 + rp0 = 0 @t 0 @p + r u0 = 0 @t r u0 = r2 ; r u0 = r r A (5.24) u = r + r A (5.24)
(5.25) a,b
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Dierentiate the rst with respect to time and insert the second to give the wave equation for the velocity uctuation, @ 2 u0 a2 r2 u = 0 @2 @2 a2 r2 = 0 @t2 which is satised if the terms in brackets are a function of time only, so r @2 a2 r2 = f (t) (5.27) @t2 The right-hand side represents a source eld for the potential, uniform over all space. We may absorb f (t) by Rt R t0 dening a new potential 1 = + dt0 f (t1 )dt1 and relabel 1 ! to nd18 the wave equation for : @2 a2 r2 = 0 @t2 When the velocity potential is used, the acoustic velocity is calculated with (5.24) and A = 0
0
(5.26)
Now substitute u0 = r to give
(5.28)
The acoustic pressure is found by setting u = r in the momentum equation (5.25) a,b, giving @ 1 0 r + p =0 @t This solution is satised if the terms in parentheses are a function of t only, g(t), so @ p0 = + g(t) (5.30) @t Rt As above, we may dene a new potential (t) + g(t0 )dt0 = 1 (t) and hence absorb g(t) so we may redene 1 ! and @ p0 = (5.31) @t The conditions under which the acoustic eld can be completely described by a velocity potential alone are precise and, so far as problems involving combustion are concerned, very restrictive. Any analysis or theory based on the velocity potential alone must also include demonstration that the vector potential can be ignored, i.e. set equal to a constant or zero. In general, the presence of a non-uniform mean ow eld and various kinds of sources in the problems we are concerned with in this work, require that the velocity eld be derived from both scalar and vector potentials. Use of the unsteady pressure as the primary ow variable provides a simpler approach for many purposes, but, as we will nd later, apparently possesses unavoidable fundamental limitations. 5.2. Energy and Intensity Associated with Acoustic Waves. In this section we establish denitions of energy density and the intensity|i.e. the ow of energy|for classical acoustic waves. The denitions are only approximate under the more complicated conditions existing in a combustor but the general ideas remain. Following Landau and Lifschitz (1959) we return to the basic energy equation (5.9) for inviscid ow. The idea is to establish a connection between the rate of change of something (the energy) within a volume and the ow of something (the intensity) through the closed boundary of that volume. Integrate the energy equation over a volume xed in space; and apply Gauss' theorem to the terms on the right-hand side: Z Z Z @ u2 u2 e+ dV = r u e + dV r (u) dV @t 2 2 Z Z Z Z u2 = e+ u dS u dS 2
one can reason that when the velocity is found by taking the gradient of + nothing and hence can be simply dropped. The desired solution is unaected by setting f = 0.
18 Alternatively,
u0 = r
(5.29)
RR
f , the term in f contributes
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This relation must be written to second order in the isentropic uctuations; for example, 1 0 2 @ 2 (e) @ 0 e = e + + ::: (e) + @ 2 @2 e = e + 0 k + Eventually the result is @ @t where 1 p2 1 0 + u 2 (5.33) 2 2 a 2 is the acoustic energy per unit volume and p0 u0 is the intensity, the ux of acoustic energy through an area normal to the direction of propagation (energy/area-S). E= The rst term on the right-hand side of (5.32) is third order in the uctuations and must be dropped. Hence we have the important result interpreted in Figure 5.1. @E + r (p0 u0 ) = 0 @t
0
1 2 + ::: 2 a2
Z Z Z Z E = E dS p0 u0 dS dV u
(5.32)
Figure 5.1. Acoustic Energy and Intensity
Table 5.1 summarizes the basic properties of plane sinusoidal waves. Brackets h i denote time averages over some interval Z 1 t+ h( )i = ( )dt0 (5.34) T 5.3. The Growth or Decay Constant. In practice, due to natural dissipative processes, freely propagating waves and oscillations in a chamber will decay in space and time if there is no external source or energy. If there is an internal source of energy, waves may be unstable, having amplitudes increasing in time. The basic measure of the growth or decay of waves is the constant appearing in the exponent describing the sinusoidal spatial and temporal dependence of small amplitude waves, the denitions (5.62). For `standing' or `stationary' waves in a chamber, the wavelength, and hence wavenumber, is real and constant, but the frequency is complex: and the variables of the motion have the behavior in time ! ! ! + i (5.35) (5.36)
For this denition (5.34), < 0 means that the waves decay. Normally in practice, ! 1, implying that the fractional change of amplitude is small in one cycle of the oscillation. Thus when time averaging is carried out over one or a few cycles, et may be taken as roughly constant, and the average energy density computed with (5.32) and (5.33), is p 1 j^j2 hE = e2t i (5.37) + j^j2 u 4 a2
ei(!+i)t ei!t et
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Table 5.1. Results for Rightward and Leftward Traveling Sinusoidal Waves Wave to Right p0 = p+ ei(!tkx) ^ + u0 = p+ ei(!tkx) ^ + u+ = ^ "+ =
p+ ^ 0 a0
2 p+ 0 a0 0 0
Wave to Left p0 = p ei(!t+kx) ^ u0 = u ei(!t+kx) ^

^ u = p0 ^ 0a
" =
2 p+ 0 a0
2 p 0 a0 02
l+ = p0 u0 = + +
l = p0 u0 = 02 a
0
h(
2 hp+ i = 1 p2 2 ^+
0
)i =
R t+
t
(
0
)dt0
2 hp i = 1 p2 2 ^
h"+ i = hl+ i =
p2 ^+ 20 a2 0 p2 ^+ 20 a0
h" i = hl i =
p2 ^ 20 a2 0 p2 20 a0
More generally: p0 = pei(!t+') ; ^ h"i =

1 4
u0 = uei(!t+') ^
j^j2 p 0 a2 0
i 0 0 + 0 j^j2 = 1 (p0 p + 0 u0 u ) u 4
0 0
hli = 1 j^jj^j cos(' ) = 1 (p u0 + p0 u ) 2 p u 4 where ( ) denotes complex conjugate. Hence we have the important interpretations which serve as the basis for measuring values of : 1 dj^j p = j^j dt p (5.38) a,b 1 dhE i = 2hE dt i The sign of is a matter of denition and has no fundamental signicance. If the time dependence is taken to be ei(!+i)t then < 0 means that waves are amplied. The formulas (5.39) dene local values of the growth constant. It is often more meaningful to know the value R for the entire volume of the system in question, found by using hE idV rather than hE i: Z 1 d = R hE idV (5.39) 2 hE idV dt 5.4. Boundary Conditions: Reections from a Surface. In the absence of other sources, the linearized boundary condition on the pressure at a surface is the rst term of (5.1 b), here in dimensional form: n rp0 = ^ @u0 n ^ @t (5.40)
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The acoustic surface impedance za is dened by 1 0 p (5.41) za and the acoustic surface admittance ya is the reciprocal of the admittance: 1 ya = (5.42) za ^ Then for harmonic motions, p0 = pei!t , we can rewrite (5.40) as ! (5.43) n rp0 = i p0 = i!ya p0 ^ za The units of impedance are (pressure/velocity) (density velocity). Hence for the medium, the product a is called the characteristic impedance, having value 42 g/cm2 -s. at standard conditions. Dimensionless forms are dened as: za acoustic impedance ratio: a = a (5.44) 1 acoustic admittance ratio: a = a In general, impedance functions are complex; the real and imaginary parts are called: Re(za ) : acoustic resistance (5.45) Im(za ) : acoustic reactance ^ u0 n = From (5.41) and (5.42), the surface admittance is ya = and the dimensionless surface admittance ratio is a = aya = a2 M0 n ^ M0 = 0 n 0 = p p p p = p (5.46) ^ un 0 p
0 where Mn is the uctuation of the Mach number normal to the surface.
If the surface is impermeable, the velocity at the surface is the velocity of the surface itself. However, if the surface is permeable, or, as for a burning propellant, mass departs the surface, then the impedance and admittance functions are dened in terms of the local velocity uctuations presented19 to the acoustic eld, no matter what their origin. Quite generally then, the admittance function represents the physical response of processes at the surface. It is of course an assumption that in response to an impressed pressure uctuation, the uctuation of velocity normal to the surface is proportional to the pressure change. Alternative denitions of quantities representing the acoustic boundary condition at a surface will arise when we consider special situations. 5.4.1. Reections of Plane Waves at a Surface. Connement of waves in a chamber to form modes necessarily involves reections at the boundary surfaces. In solid propellant rockets the processes causing reection are complicated, being responsible not only for conning the waves but also are the dominant means for transferring energy to the oscillating eld in the chamber. Even at inert surfaces, more than the simple process of reection is involved. Viscous stresses and heat conduction in the region adjacent to a surface cause dissipation of energy, discussed in Section 5.6. Here we assume that all activity at the surface can be represented by a complex impedance or admittance function. The calculation follows that discussed by Morse and Ingard (1968). We consider reection of a planar wave, Figure 5.2, allowing for the possibility of unequal angles of incidence and reection, and for simplicity we
19 For burning propellants, care must be taken with denition of the surface at which the boundary condition is imposed. Usually the velocity at the èdge' of the combustion zone in the gas phase is the most convenient choice. Thus the admittance presented to the acoustic eld is not that at the burning surface itself.
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assume that there is no transmitted wave. The incident wave travels in the direction dened by the unit vector ^ ki and the wavenumber vector is 2 ^ k= k (5.47) We can represent the acoustic pressure and velocity in this plane wave by
Figure 5.2. Reection of a Plane Wave. Plane waves propagating in direction k = p0 (r; t) = gi (ki r !t) ^ kr u0 (r; t) = gi (ki r !t) a
2 ^ k
(5.48) a,b
Similar formulas hold for the reected wave with ki replaced by kr lying in the direction dened by the unit ^ vector kr . The representations are therefore: Incident Wave p0 i u0 i i = ui (i ) ^ 1 = ki gi (i ) a = ki r !t = k(x sin i y cos i ) !t p0 r u0 r r Reected Wave = gr (r ) ^ 1 = kr gr (r ) a = kr r !t = k(x sin r y cos r ) !t
Because the frequency is the same for the incident and reected waves, so are the magnitudes of the wavenumbers: ! (5.49) jki j = = jkr j a Reection is assumed to occur at y = 0. By denition of za , the surface impedance, with the normal velocity outward from the surface equal to uy = u ^ = u n where n is the unit outward normal vector: j ^ ^ za = p0 u0 y
y=0
= a
gi (kx sin i !t ) + gr (kx sin r !t ) cos i gi (kx sin i !t ) cos r gr (kx sin r !t )
(5.50)
In general za is variable along the surface. Suppose that in fact za is constant, independent of x. That can be true if i = r = (5.51) gr () = gi ()
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Then (5.50) becomes 1+ (5.52) 1 and the complex reection coecient is related to the surface impedance by za cos a = (5.53) za cos + a This result is special because no transmitted wave has been accounted for. For example, if za = a|perfect impedance matching exists at the interface|(5.52) gives = 0 when = 0, so there is no reected wave. That is true in one sense because in physical terms za = a means that the same gas exists in both sides of the interface. Thus we are simply describing wave propagation in a continuous medium. On the other hand, the physical picture treated here accommodates no transmitted wave, which means that when there is no reection, processes must exist at the interface providing perfect absorption. za cos = a Now suppose 60 but za = a. Then (5.52) gives non-zero, i.e. partial absorption and some of the = incident wave is reected. 5.5. Wave Propagation in Tubes; Normal Modes. The simplest form of combustor is a straight tube, having generally non-uniform cross-section and not necessarily axisymmetric. Although the changes of crosssection may be abrupt|even discontinuous|experience has shown that good results may be obtained by assuming that the velocity uctuations are uniform at every section and parallel to the axis: the ow is treated as onedimensional. The governing equations are given in Appendix B, equations (B.2){(B.4) with no sources: @0 @ + (u0 Sc ) = 0 @t @x @u0 @p0 + =0 @t @x 1 @ 0 @T 0 Cv +p (u Sc ) = 0 @t Sc @x
Conservation of Mass : Conservation of Momentum : Conservation of Energy : The wave equation for the pressure is: 1 @ Sc @x 5.5.1. Waves in Tubes.
(5.54) (5.55) (5.56)
@p0 Sc @x
1 @ 2 p0 =0 a2 @t2
(5.57)
(a) Normal Modes for a Tube Closed at Both Ends Results for a tube closed at both ends not only contain many ideas basic to general oscillations in chambers, but also are widely useful for practical applications. For a tube closed by rigid walls, the boundary conditions at the ends are that the velocity must vanish. The momentum equation (5.54) then states that acceleration and therefore the pressure gradient must vanish at the ends for all time: @p0 =0 x = 0; L; all t (5.58) @x General linear motions within the tube can be constructed as superpositions of normal modes dened in general by two properties: (i) sinusoidal variations in time (ii) the motion at any point bears always a xed phase relation with that at any other point in the volume
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Those conditions imply here that the pressure can be expressed as

a ^ p0 (x; t) = p(x)eikt
(5.59) (5.60)
where k is the complex wavenumber, related in general to the complex frequency by the formula ak = ! + i Because there are no dissipative processes in this problem, = 0 so the wavenumber is real. Substitution of (5.59) in (5.57) with S independent of x gives ^ d2 p + k2 p = 0 ^ dx2 (5.61)
A solution to (5.61) satisfying (5.58) at x = 0 is p = A cos kx. To satisfy the condition at x = L, cos kL = 0. ^ Then k can assume only certain values kl , called characteristic or eigen values:20 kl = l (l = 0; 1; 2; ) (5.62) L Corresponding to each kl is a characteristic function, or eigenfunction, pl ^ = Al cos(kl x) (5.63) p0 For the problems we treat in this book, the motions represented by the kl , pl , and ul are usually called normal ^ ^ modes, akl = !l being the normal or modal frequency, and pl , ul are the mode shapes of pressure and velocity. ^ ^ All of these terms are used for two- and three-dimensional motions as well. A normal mode is characterized by its frequency and the spatial distributions, or `shapes' of all dependent variables. The mode shape for the velocity is derived from the mode shape (5.63) by integrating the acoustic momentum equation (5.55) written for ul : ^ p 1 d^l kl ikl ul = a ^ = pl Al sin kl x dx Thus pl ul = i Al sin kl x ^ (5.64) a or, written as the Mach number of the mode, 1 ^ (5.65) Ml = i Al sin kl x (b) Normal Modes for a Tube Open at Both Ends In this case, the pressure is assumed xed at the ends, for example because the tube is immersed in a large 0 1 0 1 reservoir having constant pressure, and p0 = 0. For isentropic motions, = p so 0 = a2 p0 and the continuity equation (5.54) is @p0 a2 @u0 + =0 @t @x a a2 @u0 a i kAeikt sin kx = p @x
20 Only for l 1 do we nd wave modes. For l = 0, a qualitatively dierent mode exists for which the pressure is uniform in the volume but pulsates at a frequency well below that for the fundamental wave mode. The velocity is practically zero and the oscillator is sustained by some sort of external action. A prosaic example is the low frequency sound one can create by blowing across the narrow opening at the neck of a bottle. In this case the mode is called the Helmholtz mode and the bottle is behaving as a Helmholtz resonator.
(5.66)
a Hence if p0 is xed, the velocity gradient must vanish at the ends. Set p0 = Aeikt sin kx and substitute in (5.66)
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The left-hand side vanishes (and hence @u0 =@x = 0) at x = 0 for any k, but at x = L, we must have sin kl L = 0. Hence kl = (2l + 1) L and the normal mode shape and frequency are pl ^ kl = l = Al sin(kl x) ; (l = 1; 2; ) p L and the mode shape for the velocity is 1 ul ^ ^ = Ml = i Al cos kl x a (c) Normal Modes for a Tube Closed at One End and Open at the Other Reasoning similar to the above leads in this case to the normal modes when the tube is closed at x = 0: pl ^ kl = (2l + 1) = Al cos(kl x) ; (l = 1; 2; ) p 2L 1 ul ^ = i Al sin(kl x) a 5.5.2. Normal Modes for Tubes Having Discontinuities of Cross-Sectional Area. Combustors having discontinuous area distributions are commonly used in solid propellant rockets and in various laboratory devices. Consider the example sketched in Figure 5.3. The boundary conditions at the ends are: d^ p x=0: =0 (5.69) a,b dx x = L : p=0 ^ (5.67)
(5.68)
Figure 5.3. A Uniform Tube Having a Single Discontinuity. Possible solutions in the regions to the left and right of the discontinuity are: p ^ = A cos kx (0 x L) p p ^ = B sin k(L x) (L < x L) p
(5.70) a,b
Note that k = != is the same throughout the tube because the motion occurs everywhere at the same a frequency. Completing the problem comes down to determining the conditions for matching the solutions. Two are required: (i) continuity of pressure:
"!0
lim [^(L ") p(L + ")] = 0 p ^ A cos kL = B sin( 1)kL (5.71)
which gives
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(ii) continuity of acoustic mass ow: Integrate the wave equation (for harmonic motions) across the discontinuity, Z L+" d d^ p ^ (Sc + k2 Sc p dx = 0 dx dx L" Because p is continuous, this relation becomes ^ " # d^ p d^ p lim Sc =0 "!0 dx L+" dx L" Thus, with constant and
d^ p dx
u: ^
After substituting the waveforms (5.70) a,b, and using (5.71) we nd the transcendental equation for the modal wavenumbers: S1 tan kl L = cot kl ( 1)L (5.73) S2 This method of solving a problem with discontinuities is only approximate: a practical question is: how large are the errors? To gain some idea of the errors incurred, tests at ambient temperature (`cold ow tests') were carried out by Mathis, Derr and Culick (1973) for the geometry of a T-burner used for measuring the combustion response of burning solid propellants. Results are shown in Figure 5.4. The measured values of both the frequencies and the mode shapes are surprisingly well-predicted by this theory. The principal reason is that the inuence of a discontinuity is conned to a relatively small region near the change of area, but the characteristics of the normal modes depend on the motion in the entire volume.
^ (Sc u)L+" (Sc u)L" ^
(5.72)
Figure 5.4. Comparison of Experimental and Theoretical Results for Normal Frequencies in a T-Burner (Ambient Temperature) 5.6. Normal Acoustic Modes and Frequencies for a Chamber. We now consider a volume of any shape enclosed by a rigid boundary and containing a uniform gas at rest. Unsteady small amplitude motions therefore satisfy the linear wave equation (5.4) a,b and its boundary condition ((5.4) a,b)b requiring that the velocity normal to the boundary vanish at all times. By this denition given in Section 5.5.1, normal modes are solutions to this problem which oscillate sinusoidally in time and have xed phase relations throughout the a volume. We assume the form21 p0 = eikt . The formal problem is to nd satisfying the scalar wave equation, also called the Helmholtz wave equation, with vanishing normal gradient at the surface: r2 + k2 = 0 n r = 0 ^ (5.74) a,b
21 Consistent with the general character of this problem, we replace p by , introducing a common notation for normal modes. ^ The velocity potential satises the same pair of equations, a result reected by equation (5.31) which for sinusoidal motions means that p0 and are proportional: p0 = ik. a
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There are many well-written books covering this problem and its solution, for example Hildebrand (1952), Morse and Feshbach (1952), and Morse and Ingard (1968). The simplest approach is based on the method of separation of variables, applicable for closed form solutions in thirteen coordinate systems; see, e.g., Morse and Feshbach (1952). In practical applications to combustors, only rectangular and circular cylindrical chambers are important. 5.6.1. Normal Modes for Rectangular Chambers. The wave equation in Cartesian coordinates is @2 @2 @2 + + + k2 = 0 @x2 @y 2 @z 2 and n r must vanish on the six at surfaces each perpendicular to a coordinated axis, Figure 5.5. Applying ^ the method of separation of variables leads to a solution having the form = A cos(kx x) cos(ky y) cos(kz z) and
2 2 2 k2 = kx + ky + kz
(5.75) (5.76)
z
b 2
y
a 2
a 2
b 2
L x
Figure 5.5. Rectangular Chamber The boundary conditions must be satised: @ =0 @x @ =0 @y @ =0 @z
x = 0; L a a y= ; 2 2 b b z= ; 2 2 (5.77) a,b,c
Reasoning similar to that given in Section 5.5.1 leads to the values of the wavenumbers kx = l L ky = m b kz = n c
(5.78) a,b,c
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and the mode shapes are lmn
a b = Almn cos l x cos m y+ cos n z+ L a 2 b 2
(5.79)
The distributions of pressure therefore have the same form in all directions; of course the components (5.78) a,b,c can assume any of the allowed values, and the frequency is given by (5.76), ! = ak. 5.6.2. Normal Modes for a Circular Cylindrical Chamber. Let x be the polar axis (Figure 5.6) and the wave equation in circular cylindrical coordinates is 1 @2 @2 + + k2 = 0 r2 @2 @x2
1 @ r @r
@ @r
(5.80)
Figure 5.6. Circular Cylindrical Coordinates The boundary condition requires that n r vanish at the ends and on the lateral boundary: ^ @ =0 x = 0; L @x @ =0 r=R @r Application of the method of separation of variables leads to a solution of the form r cos n (r; x; ; t) = A cos kl zJm mn sin n R
(5.81)
(5.82)
To satisfy the boundary conditions, the values of kl are integral multiples of =L as above and the mn are the roots of the derivative of the Bessel function: dJm (mn ) =0 (5.83) dr Figure 5.7 shows the lowest six modes in the transverse planes, and the identifying values of n and m. More extended results are given in standard texts and collections of special functions.
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Figure 5.7. The First Six Transverse Modes in a Circular Cylinder
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6. LINEAR STABILITY OF COMBUSTOR DYNAMICS All problems of unsteady motion in combustion systems can be divided into the two classes: linearized and nonlinear. From the earliest discoveries of their transient behavior until the late 1950s `combustion instabilities' implied small amplitude unsteady (and unwanted) motions growing out of a condition of linear instability. Even with the expanding awareness that the nonlinear properties must be understood as well, the linear behavior remains an essential part of understanding all aspects of combustion instabilities, including the consequences of nonlinear processes. The literature of linear combustion instabilities contains many papers dealing with special problems. There seems often to be a tendency to regard the results as somehow disconnected. However, apparent dierences arise chiey from the dierences in the processes accounted for and in the choices of models for those processes. So long as the problems are dominated by oscillating behavior in combustors, probably most, if not practically all of the results can be obtained in equivalent forms by suitable applications of the methods explained here. That statement is not as outrageous as it may seem, following as it does from the generality of the expansion procedures and the method of averaging covered in Section 4. 6.1. Solution for the Problem of Linear Stability. By `solution' we mean here formulas for calculating the amplitudes n (t) of modes retained in the expansion for the pressure eld, p0 (r; t) = pn (t)n (r). The amplitudes satisfy the oscillator wave equations (4.36) d2 n 2 c + !n n = Fn + Fn (6.1) dt2 c where Fn stands for the generalized `force' associated with the exercise of control; and Fn is the spatial average of that part (sometimes called the `projection' on the basis function n ) of the internal processes aecting the motion of the nth oscillator, given by (4.32): Z Z Z a2 (6.2) hn dV + f n dS Fn = 2 pEn
c Here we ignore Fn because we are concerned only with the internal behavior of the system. In general, the Fn contain contributions associated with the motions of oscillators other than the nth |i.e. the modes are coupled. For analysis of linear stability we are justied in ignoring that coupling, for reasons given by Culick (1997). Each Fn is therefore a linear function of the amplitude and velocity of the oscillator, having the form dn _ (6.3) Fn = Fn n + Fn dt _ where the Fn and Fn are constants, depending only on the mode.
With these assumptions, the oscillator equations (6.1) are the uncoupled set 2 d2 n dn _ _ Fn (6.4) + !n Fn n = 0 dt2 dt Because the equations are uncoupled, the normal modes n for the corresponding classical acoustic problem are also the normal modes for the linear problem of combustor dynamics. The general problem of determining linear stability has therefore come down to the problem of determining the stability of the normal modes. In the usual fashion we assume sinusoidal time dependence with complex frequency: n (t) = n eit ^ Equation ((5.4) a,b) gives the quadratic equation for n : 2 _ 2 iFn + !n Fn = 0 with solution 1 n _ = i Fn + !n 2 s 1 1 2 _ 1 2 Fn + Fn !n 4 (6.5) (6.6)
(6.7)
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where we take the (+) sign on the radical to give a positive real frequency. Hence the amplitudes are p 2 _ 1 n (t) = e 2 Fn t ei!n 1n t and 1 n = !n The nth mode is stable of
_ Fn < 0
(6.8)
Fn +
1 2 _ Fn 4
(6.9)
(6.10)
That is, the coecient of n in the expression for Fn must be positive for the nth mode to be stable. _ Now according to the methods of Fourier analysis, an arbitrary disturbance at some initial time (say t = 0) in the chamber can be synthesized of the normal modes. The time-evolution of the disturbance is therefore determined by the n (t). In particular, an arbitrary disturbance in a combustor is stable if (and only if) all of the normal modes are stable and we arrive at the general result for the linear stability of a combustor: (i) Write the linearized function for the force acting on the nth oscillator (spatially averaged acoustic mode) in the form dn _ Fn = Fn n + Fn dt
_ (ii) Then any initial disturbance in a combustor is stable if and only if all the Fn are negative: _ Linear Stability () Fn < 0 (all n)
The preceding calculation and its conclusion, illustrate further a point rst made in Section 3. We have found a means of computing the linear stability of a combustor without knowing the linear motions themselves. The complex frequency (6.7) is in fact the frequency for the actual linear modes including the inuences of all the _ processes accounted for. But calculation of the Fn and Fn with the formula (6.2) requires knowledge only of the unperturbed normal modes|their frequencies !n and shapes n (r). The formal statement of this property is that the eigenvalues (n ) to any order in the relevant expansion parameter (here Mr := ) can be computed knowing the eigenfunctions (n ) only to one less order. The eigenvalues n are here given to rst order in the Mach number of the average ow but only the unperturbed classical eigenfunctions n are required. This is the basic characteristic of the expansion procedures with spatial averaging that makes the method devised here so useful in practice. 6.2. An Alternative Calculation of Linear Stability. An equivalent calculation of the result for linear stability makes direct use of the formula for the wavenumber. Write a a ^ n = n eikt ; ^ Fn = Fn eikt
c and substitute in (6.1) with Fn ignored to nd
(k)2 = (kn )2 + a a With ak = ! + i, this formula is
1 ^ (r) ^ (i) Fn + iFn n ^
(6.11)
1 ^ (r) ^ (i) Fn + iFn n ^ (r) (i) ^ where ( ) and ( ) stand for real and imaginary parts. Because and Fn are of rst order in the expansion parameter and terms of higher order must be dropped22 , we ignore 2 with respect to !2 . Then the real and imaginary parts of the last equation give 1 ^ (r) 2 !2 = !n + Fn n ^ 1 ^ (i) F = 2!n n
2 ! 2 + i(2!) 2 = !n +
22 Recall
the remarks in Section 4.
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where ! has been set equal to !n in the right-hand sides to ensure that higher order terms are not retained. Now take the square root of the rst equation and again drop higher order terms to nd ^ (r) 1 Fn ! = !n 2!n n ^ (6.12) a,b (i) ^n 1 F = 2!n n ^ (i) ^n is negative. This condition is essentially a generalized form of Rayleigh's criteria The system is unstable if F discussed further in Section 6.4. After higher order terms are dropped from (6.7), the real and imaginary parts of ! are 1 ! = !n F 2!n n (6.14) a,b 1 _ = Fn 2 Comparison of (6.12) a,b and 5.14 gives the connections between the two representations of the forcing function23 :
Fn =
^ (r) Fn n ^
^ (i) 1 Fn _ Fn = !n n ^
(6.15) a,b
Generally Fn will contain several processes, each of which will depend linearly on n and dn and appears dt additively in Fn . Hence formulas corresponding to (6.15) a,b apply to each of the individual processes. They are often useful, if only for checking correctness, in detailed calculations. 6.3. An Example: Linear Stability with Distributed Sources of Heat and Motion of the Boundary. As a rst approximation to problems of combustion instabilities it is useful to ignore all processes involving interactions between the unsteady and steady elds, and focus attention on the two generic causes of instabilities: time-dependent energy addition and motions of the boundary. With suitable interpretation the second may represent the inuence of unsteady combustion of a solid propellant. Then in dimensional variables the linearized pressure and momentum equations ((3.46) a-e)d and ((3.46) a-e)b, and the boundary condition (3.57) on the pressure uctuations are @p0 R _0 (6.12) Q + pr u0 = @t Cv @u0 (6.13) + rp0 = 0 @t 0 @u ^ ^ n rp0 = n (6.14) @t Now form the wave equation as in Section 3.4, so the problem is governed by the two equations r2 p0 where 1 @ 2 p0 =h a2 @t2 ^ n rp0 = f (6.19) a,b
_ 1 R @ Q0 2 C a v @t @u0 ^ f = n @t h=
23 The
(6.20) a,b
() sign in (6.15) a,b arises from the () sign in the exponential time dependence.
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The expansion procedure and application of spatial averaging leads to the explicit oscillator equations (4.36): ) (Z " # ZZ _ a2 @u0 1 R @ Q0 d2 n 2 ^ + !n n = 2 (6.21) 2 n dV + n n dS dt2 pEn a Cv @t @t
Figure 6.1. A Tube with Distributed Heat Addition and an Oscillating Piston to Drive Waves As a simple example, consider the one-dimensional problem of waves excited in a tube tted with a piston, Figure 6.1, and with distributed heat addition provided by an electrically heated coil. Only longitudinal modes are accounted for, and 1 2 n = cos(kn x) ; kn = n (6.21) ; En = Sc L L 2 where Sc = R2 is the cross-section area of the tube. We ignore any average motion in the tube, and suppose that the average thermodynamic properties are maintained constant and uniform by suitable steady heat losses through the walls of the tube. The heat addition and motion of the piston are sinusoidal, having phases Q and n with respect to pressure oscillations: ^ a _ _ Q0 = Q(x) ei(ktQ ) (6.22) a,b a ^ u0 n = j^p j ei(ktp ) u p _ @ Q0 _ a = ik Q(x) ei(ktQ ) a ^ @t @ 0 a ^ a u up n = ik j^p j ei(ktu ) @t ^ a With n = n eikt , substitution in the oscillator equations (6.21) leads to Z a2 1 R ^ 2 _ (ik) cos(kn x) Q(x) eiQ dV a (k)2 + !n n = 2 2 a ^ pEn a Cv Z Z +iak cos(kn x)j^p jeiu u After some rearrangement, and setting ak = ! i, we nd 8 ^ Z L _ <1 R Q(x) a2 2 Sc cos(kn x) eiQ dx (! + i)2 = !n i(! + i) 1 n ^ p( 2 Sc L) : a2 Cv 0 j^p j ip u Sc e n ^ ^ _ Because jQj and j^p j are small perturbations we can write this equation to rst order in small quantities: u 2 3 ^ Z L _ Q(x) u 2 R 2 j^p j iu 5 2 4cos(kn x) dx eip dx + i!n e ! 2 i(2!) = !n i!n pL Cv 0 n ^ L n ^
Hence for use in h and f :
(6.23) a,b
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Take the real and imaginary parts to nd 2 3 ^ Z L _ Q(x) 2!n R 2!n j^p j u 2 4cos(kn x) sin Q dx sin u 5 dx ! 2 = !n + pL Cv n ^ L n ^ 0 2 3 ^ Z _ Q(x) 1 R L4 j^p j u cos(kn x) = cos Q dx cos u 5 dx pL Cv 0 n ^ L n ^
(6.24) a,b
and (6.24) a,b becomes where
^ _ Internal feedback, and hence a condition for instability, exists of either or both jQj and j^p j depend on the u uctuating pressure (or velocity). For example, set ^ _ jQj = q0 n n = q0 n cos kn x ^ ^ (6.25) a,b ^ j^p j = u0 n u
2 !2 = !n + 2!n (Aq0 sin q Bu0 sin u )
1 R ; B= (6.26) 2 Cv p L To rst order in small quantities we nd the results for the frequency and decay or growth constant: ! = !n + Aq0 sin Q Bu0 sin u (6.27) a,b = Aq0 cos Q Bu0 cos u A= Remarks: (i) the nth mode is unstable if Aq0 cos Q > Bu0 cos u (ii) the rst term in is an example of Rayleigh's criterion discussed in Section 6.3: ^ _ b) instability of the nth mode is encouraged if jQ(x)j cos kn x is larger, i.e. if the heat addition is greater where the mode shape of the pressure. It is important also to notice that due to the spatial averaging, one cannot distinguish the ultimate eects of volumetric and surface processes. There is an equivalence of the inuences of the various processes, their importance in respect to position within the chamber being dominated by their location with respect to the mode shapes. That characteristic has far-reaching consequences. 6.4. Rayleigh's Criterion and Linear Stability. As part of his research on the excitation of acoustic waves by heat addition in chambers, Lord Rayleigh (1878, 1945) formulated the following explanation for the production of tones in a Rijke tube: \If heat be periodically communicated to, and abstracted from, a mass of air vibrating (for example) in a cylinder bounded by a piston, the eect produced will depend upon the phase of the vibration at which the transfer of heat takes place. If heat be given to the air at the moment of greatest condensation, or be taken from it at the moment of greatest rarefaction, the vibration is encouraged. On the other hand, if heat be given at the moment of greatest rarefaction, or abstracted at the moment of greatest condensation, the vibration is discouraged." That paragraph has become probably the most widely cited explanation for the presence of combustion instabilities generally. For easy reference, the explanation has long been referred to as \Rayleigh's Criterion." It is important to realize that Rayleigh addressed only the conditions under which unsteady heat addition èncourages' oscillations, i.e. is a destablilizing inuence. Other processes, stabilizing or destabilizing are neither a) if 0 u
2
then a necessary condition for instability is 0 Q
2.
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excluded nor included, and there is certainly no implication that satisfaction of the criterion is either a necessary or a sucient condition for instability to exist. Several published examples exist of quantitative realizations of the criterion (Putnam 1971; Chu 1956; Zinn 1986; Culick 1987, 1992). The purpose of this section is to establish a generalized form of Rayleigh's Criterion by using the analysis based on spatial averaging. The main idea is that a positive change of the time-averaged energy of a modal oscillator in a cycle of oscillation is exactly equivalent to the principle of linear instability, that the growth constant should be positive for a motion to be unstable. To establish the connection we use the oscillator equations, d2 n 2 + !n n = Fn (6.27) dt2 The instantaneous energy24 of the nth oscillator is 1 2 2 2 E = (6.28) n + !n n _ n 2 and the change of energy in one cycle is the integral over one period of the rate at which work is done by the force Fn : Z t+n Fn (t0 )n (t0 )dt0 _ (6.29) E = n
t
_ Under the integral, Fn and n must be real quantities: here we use the real parts of both functions,
a a ^ n = n eikt = j^n jeikt a a a ^ ^ ^ Fn = Fn eikt = jFn jei(kt+F ) = jFn j (cos F i sin F ) eikt
(6.31) a,b
We measure all phases with respect to the pressure, so n is real and, being the maximum amplitude, is positive. ^ Substitution in the oscillator equations gives ! ^ 1 Fn 2 2 k = 2 !n a n ^ of which the real and imaginary parts are to rst order in small quantities: ! F ^ Fn ^n 2 2 = !n cos F !2 = !n Re n n ^ ^ ! ^ 1 Fn 1 Fn ^ n = Im = sin F 2!n n ^ 2!n n ^ Also for use in (6.29) we have
a a n = ikj^n jeikt = akj^n jei(akt+ 2 ) !n j^n jei(!n t+ 2 ) _

(6.32)a,b
so
= !n j^n j sin !n t Re(n ) = !n j^n j cos !n t + _ 2 ^ ^ Re(Fn ) = jFn j cos (!n t + F ) = jFn j fcos !n t cos F sin !n t sin F g
t+n
(6.33)
The real part of Fn is (6.34) Hence the right-hand side of (6.29) is Z t+n Z 0 ^n j Re(Fn )Re(n )dt = !jF E = n
t
1 2 0 0 sin !n t sin F sin 2!n t cos F dt0 2
^ n = !jFn jj^n j sin F 2 Substitution of (6.32)a,b leads to the formula which establishes the desired connection between Rayleigh's criterion and linear stability:
24 E n
E = 2n !n j^n j2 n
(6.35)
is not the energy of the nth acoustic mode, which is given by the integral of (5.33) over the volume of the chamber.
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Remarks: (i) Positive n (the system is linearly unstable) implies that the average energy of the oscillator increases, and vice-versa. (ii) Rayleigh's original criterion is equivalent to the principle of linear instability if only heat exchange is accounted for and is neither a necessary nor a sucient condition for existence of a combustion instability. (iii) The extended form (6.35) of Rayleigh's criterion is exactly equivalent to the principle of linear instability. Putnam (1971) has made the widest use of Rayleigh's Criterion in practical situations. His book and papers give many examples of applying the Criterion as an aid to making changes of design to avoid oscillations generated by heat release, particularly in power generating and heating systems. In the past fteen years many groups have been making direct observations on laboratory systems to check the validity of the Criterion's implications. The key step is based on the assumption that radiation by certain intermediate species in hydrocarbon reactions (CH and OH are the most common indentiers) can be interpreted as a measure of the rate of chemical reactions taking place and hence of the rate at which energy is released. Simultaneous measurement we made of the spatial distribution of radiation in a system, and of the pressure oscillations, the results then allow at least a qualitative assessment of the extent to which the oscillations are being driven by the energy released in the combustion eld, or whether other mechanisms may be active. It seems that the rst report of that sort of eort appeared in a Ph.D. thesis (Sterling, 1987; Sterling and Zukoski, 1991). Figure 6.2 is a sketch of the dump combustor used as the test device, and Figure 6.3 shows the main result.
Premixed CH 4 / Air V Exhaust to Atmosphere
Figure 6.2. The Caltech Dump Combustor (Sterling 1985) 6.5. Explicit Formulas For Linear Stability. The term `stability of motions' has several interpretations for ows in combustion chambers, including: (i) the stability of laminar average ow when viscous and inertial properties of the medium dominate, leading to turbulence, a eld of distributed vorticity if the steady ow is unstable; (ii) the stability of shear layers, commonly producing large scale vortex motions when a shear layer is unstable; (iii) the stability of laminar ame fronts, responsible for one source of turbulent combustion when fronts are unstable; (iv) the stability of small disturbances which, when the compressibility and inertia of the medium dominate, can develop into acoustic waves. In terms of the modes of motion mentioned in Section 3.1 and discussed further in Section 3.3, the phenomena (i){(iii) are classied as waves of vorticity and the fourth comprises acoustic waves. Here we are concerned only with the stability of acoustic waves. The results are very general, accommodating all relevant processes and applicable, in principle, to any combustion chamber. Eventually the obstacles to successful applications are associated almost entirely with problems of modeling. In the rst instance, the formal results given here establish explicitly what modeling is required. 6.5.1. Linear Stability in Three Dimensions. The formulas (6.14) a,b are general, restricted only by the approximations used in formulating the analytical framework. Hence the problem of obtaining results specic to _ any given problem comes down to nding explicit forms for Fn and Fn , i.e. evaluating the integrals dening Fn ,
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Figure 6.3. Experimental Conrmation of Rayleigh's Criteria (Sterling and Zukoski, 1991) equation (6.2). The functions h and f are given by (4.72) and (4.73) to second order in the uctuations. Here we need only the linear parts, terms of order ". With and " absorbed in the denitions of the variables, we have 1 @ h = r M rM0 + M0 rM 2 M rp0 + p0 r M a @t (6.36) 1 1 @P 0 1 0 + r F 2 a @t " 0 @M f = + n M rM0 + M0 rM + [^ F 0 ]" ^ n (6.37) n ^ @t " where the subscript " means that the quantity in expanded to include only terms of rst order in the mean ow 0 and the uctuations, i.e. terms O(Mr Mr ). Substitution of (6.36) and (6.37) and some rearrangement leads to the result Z Z Z Z ^ ^ M M n dV hn dV + f n dS = k2
n
Z ^ M r M rn dV Z kn p ^ +i n M r^ + pr M dV a Z Z kn ^ ^ n PdV F rn dV i a Z Z ^ ^ + pakn n M ndS
(6.38)
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Note that we have removed the exponential time factor for linear harmonic motions and (6.38) contains the amplitudes of uctuations, denoted by ( ^ ). Two remarks are important: = = (i) the mean ow eld may be rotational (rM 60) and sources are accommodated (rM 60). (ii) owing to the ordinary procedure discussed in Section 3, the substitutions of classical acoustic mode shapes are required in the right-hand side: i ^ ^ p = pn n ; M = ^ ^ rn _ (6.39) 2 kn n ^ a where n = ikn n . _ Eventually the complex wavenumber, (6.11), is ( ! Z ^ Z M 1 a2 2 2 + Mn nn dS iakn p ^ k = kn + pEn 2 n ^ Z Z ^ 2 kn kn P n dV r M n dV i + i( 1) p a a n ^ ) Z ^ F rn dV n ^
(6.40)
It is important to understand that in the result unsteady gasdynamics (acoustics) and interactions between the acoustics and the mean ow are accounted for èxactly' to O(Mr ). The real and imaginary parts of (6.40), written symbolically as equations (6.12) a,b and (6.14) a,b are sums of contributions from the various processes accounted for. For example, the formula for the growth constant appears in the form = ()combustion + ()mean f low=acoustics + ()nozzle + Similar results can be derived for the case when the one-dimensional approximation is used. The required basis for the calculations is given by Culick (1998). The results for the frequency and growth constant are: ( (i) L a2 u ^ ! = !n + Sc ak` p 2 2!` pE` ` ^ 0 (6.41) ) Z L Z (i) ! ub ^ 1 +ak` p dq` Sc dz + volumetric contributions (combustion) ` ^ 0 Sc ( (i) L a2 1 2 u ^ = pak` ` + u` Sc 2!` pE` 2 ` ^ 0 ! Z L Z (i) ub ^ 1 1 (6.42) pak` + ub ` dq` Sc dz Sc ` ^ 0 ) 2 Z Z 1 k` pL L 1 d` + ub dqSc dz + volumetric contributions (combustion) 2 a dz Sc 0 k` Two remarks on interpretation (i) the rst two terms in the formula for represent the dynamical response of the enclosing surface and the net eect of linear interactions between the acoustic eld and the mean ow. (ii) the last term represents a dissipative process commonly called òw turning' due to inelastic acceleration of the incoming ow, initially normal to the surface, to the local axial velocity parallel to the surface. This process generates unsteady vorticity at the surface; the result shown here does not capture the entire contribution. See Flandro (1995) and Mulhotra (2001).
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These results for linear stability have been applied extensively to problems of combustion instabilities in solid propellant rockets. Their validity has long been conrmed. However, their accuracy depends entirely on the accuracy of modeling processes rather than the gasdynamics shown explicitly in (6.40){(6.42). Due to the large uncertainties associated with modeling some processes, it is dicult|in fact impossible at this time|to make an entirely satisfactory comparison between theoretical results and measurements. Hence the best way to check theory is to compare results obtained here with results of numerical simulations, all for the same problem. Even this procedure is imperfect because dierent approximations must be made in the two approaches|it is impossible to solve the `same' problem numerically and with the analysis given here. Results of an example for a solid propellant rocket are shown in Figures 6.4{6.6. The calculations were carried out for nonlinear behavior. Figure 6.4 shows the development of the unstable motion into a stable limit cycle and Figure 6.5 is a comparison of the spectra of the waveforms in the limit cycle. The approximate analysis can be carried out only for a nite number of modes. As a consequence, although the frequencies are accurately predicted, the amplitudes have greater errors for the higher modes. Figure 6.6 shows one eect of truncating the modal expansion. For this example the eect is not large|the two-mode approximation seems quite adequate. That is not always true, a matter discussed in the following Section.
(a) Approximate Analysis
(b) Numerical Simulation
Figure 6.4. Growth of Unstable Motions According to (a) the Approximate Analysis; and (b) a Numerical Simulation
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(a)
(b)
Figure 6.5. Comparison of the Spectra for the Waveforms in Figure 6.4
Figure 6.6. Eect of Truncation in the Waveforms
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7. NONLINEAR BEHAVIOR It is linear behavior, especially linear stability, that is most easily understood and therefore has dominated discussions of combustion instabilities. Almost no attention has been paid to nonlinear behavior in works on control of combustion instabilities. One justication for that deciency has been the view that if control of the oscillations works properly, it should stop the growth before the amplitude reaches a large value. There are several reasons why that reasoning is awed: if the growth rates are unusually large the control system may not have a suciently large bandwidth to be eective; because combustion systems are intrinsically nonlinear design of a control system based only on linear behavior may produce a control system far from optimal; linear control demands actuation at the frequency of the oscillation to be controlled, while nonlinear control of particular types are eective at lower frequencies; an example is described in Section 7. observed nonlinear behavior contains much information about properties of the system in question and in the interests of understanding should not be ignored. Existing examples of controlling combustion instabilities have almost totally ignored issues of nonlinear behavior. In no demonstration, either in the laboratory or full-scale, have the amplitudes of the oscillations been predicted or interpreted either before or after control has been exercised. Hence nothing has been learned about why the initially unstable motions reach the amplitudes they did, or, why the control system aected them in the observed way. In fact few attempts exist to determine quantitatively the stability of motions. Hence the subject of controlling the dynamics of combustion systems has largely been a matter of exercising the principles of control with little attention paid to the characteristics of the systems (`plants') being controlled. It seems that following this strategy is likely not the most fruitful way of achieving meaningful progress. Especially, this is not a sound approach to developing the basis for designing control systems. The current state of the art is that feedback control is designed and applied in ad hoc fashion for systems already built and exhibiting instabilities. A central concern of a controls designer is construction of a `reduced order' model of the system. What that really means in the present context is the need to convert the partial dierential equations of conservation developed in Section 3, to a nite system of ordinary dierential equations. The analysis developed in Section 3 and 4 accomplishes exactly that purpose. It is not the only approach possible (e.g. proper orthogonal decomposition has been examined briey) but the method of modal expansion and spatial averaging has many favorable properties and has been proven to work well. The main purposes of this section are to quote a few results displaying some aspects of the nonlinear behavior arising from gasdynamics; and to illustrate some consequences of truncating the modal expansion, that is, what might be the consequences of reducing the order of the model. Another important issue we will examine briey is the application of time-averaging. As the calculations in Section 4 showed, the great advantage of timeaveraging is that it replaces N second order oscillator equation by 2N rst order equations. That transformation enormously reduces the cost of obtaining solutions, aids theoretical work, and provides a simplied representation for application of feedback control. But as for truncation, the question arises: How accurate are the results and what are the limits of the validity of time-averaging? Only the nonlinearities due to gasdynamics are treated in this section. The results must be viewed with that caveat, particularly because the forms of the nonlinearities are very special, if only because the dominant coupling acts to cause energy to ow from low to high frequency waves, the tendency which produces the familiar steepening of compressive disturbances into shock waves. 7.1. The Two-Mode Approximation. This is the simplest class of problems for which nonlinear mode coupling is accommodated. Each mode is characterized by two constants: (energy gain or loss) and (frequency shift). The energy gain or loss may be nonlinear|that is, could in principle depend on amplitude|but here both and are taken to be constant, characterizing entirely the linear processes. As a result of several works
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in the past few years, the two mode approximation is quite well understood (Awad and Culick, 1986; Paparizos and Culick, 1989; Yang and Culick 1990; Jahnke and Culick, 1994; Culick, 1994).
Figure 7.1. Energy Flow in the Two Mode Approximation Only gasdynamic nonlinearities to second order are accounted for here. Their special form allows the convenient closed form solutions to the time-averaged equations, rst found by Awad (1983). The results provide much basic understanding which is applicable to more complicated nonlinear problems. For example, contrary to one's expectation based on the behavior of shock waves, nonlinear behavior in the present context need not involve large amplitudes, and the pressure oscillation may appear to be a clean sinusoid, free of signicant harmonic content. The basic reason is that here the two-mode system both gains and loses energy; each interaction with the environment is necessary. In the absence of the nonlinear modal coupling, or some other linear process, limit cycles cannot exist. Moreover, both stable and unstable limit cycles exist. Truncation of the modal expansion to two modes introduces errors because the ow of energy to higher modes is blocked. The amplitude of the highest mode is therefore greater than the correct value in order to provide the higher linear rate of energy loss required to sustain a limit cycle. The example in Section 6.5.1 shows this eect. It's an interesting feature of the two-mode approximation that nonlinear instability to stable limit cycles seems not to exist. Although no rigorous proof exists, experience with many examples has shown that conclusion to be quite generally true if only the acoustic (gasdynamics) nonlinearities are accounted for. `Triggering' or pulsing to stable limit cycles does occur for special forms of nonlinear energy gain from the environment (i.e. extinction from the mean ow or supply from combustion processes). If we ignore linear mode coupling and account for acoustic nonlinearities to second order, the oscillator equations can be put in the form 1 1 XX d2 n 2 NL + !n n = n n + n n _ fAnij i j + Bnij i j g + Fn _ _ (7.1) dt2 i=1 j=1
NL where Fn represents other nonlinear contributions. The coecients Anij , Bnij are dened as integrals involving the basis functions nij . Hence their values are xed primarily by the geometry of the chamber in question. See Culick (1976) for additional details of the derivation of (7.1). It is extremely important that the nonlinear gasdynamic terms involve no cross-products i j and also (not obvious here) no `self-coupling', terms proportional _ 2 to n or n . Those properties are the formal reasons that nonlinear instabilities do not exist if only these _2 nonlinearities are included.
Equation (7.1) simplify considerably for longitudinal modes. Due to orthogonality and special properties of the cos kn z, the double sum becomes a single sum and (7.1) can be put in the form: 1 i X h (1) d2 n (1) 2 + !n n = n n + n n _ _ _ Cni i ni + Dni i ni dt2 i=1 (7.2) 1 i X h (2) (2) NL _ _ Cni i n+i + Dni i n+i + Fn
i=1
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The time-averaged forms of (7.2) are

i n X dAn [Ai (Ani Ain Ai+n ) Bi (Bni Bin Bi+n )] = n An + n Bn + dt 2 (7.3) a,b i n X dBn [Ai (Bni Bin Bi+n ) Bi (Ani Ain Ai+n )] = n An + n Bn + dt 2 where as in Section 3, n = An cos !n t + Bn sin !n t. For longitudinal modes, the frequencies are all integral multiples of the fundamental, a property that is crucial to the forms of (7.3) a,b. For example, for transverse modes in a cylindrical chamber, the nonlinear terms contain factors representing modulation.
For two modes, the four rst order equations are dA1 = 1 A1 + 1 B1 (A1 A2 B1 B2 ) dt dB1 = 1 B1 + 1 A1 (B1 A2 A1 B2 ) dt (7.4) a,b,c,d dA2 2 2 = 2 A2 + 2 B2 (A1 B1 ) dt dB2 = 2 B2 + 2 A2 2B1 A1 dt The great advantage of this system of equations is that some useful exact results can be found. One way to nd them is to change independent variables to the amplitude and phases (n ; n ) of the two modes by writing 1 (t) = 1 (t) sin(!1 t + 1 ) 2 (t) = 2 (t) sin(2!1 t + 2 ) p 2 where n = A2 + Bn . The governing equations for 1 ; 2 and the eective relative phase = 21 2 are n d1 = 1 1 1 2 cos dt d2 = 2 2 2 cos 1 dt d 2 = (1 21 ) + (21 1 sin dt 2 = The problem of linear stability is solved directly: Nonlinear behavior in general poses two basic questions: 1 ; 2 < 0 () small amplitude motions are stable (7.7) 2 21 21 2
(7.5) a,b,c
where (7.6)
(i) What are the conditions for existence of limit cycles? (ii) What are the conditions that the limit cycles are stable? Stability of a limit cycle of course is a matter entirely separate from the linear stability of small amplitude motions. We are concerned here with a system executing a steady limit cycle. If the limit cycle in stable, then if slightly disturbed, the motion will eventually return to its initial form (a) Existence of Limit Cycles In this time-averaged formulation, existence of limit cycles corresponds to existence of stationary or equilibrium points of the system (7.5) a,b,c: d d2 d = = = 0 () transcendental algebraic equations dt dt dt
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The solutions are
10 = 20 o = tan1 () where
1p 1 2 (1 + 2 ) K q 1 2 = 1 (1 + 2 ) K
(7.8) a,b,c
+1 (7.9) !1 2 For 10 to be real, 1 2 must be positive, implying that the constants 1 ; 2 must have opposite signs. The physical interpretation is that if the rst mode is unstable, for example, > 0, then the second mode must be stable (2 < 0): the rate of energy ow into the rst mode must equal the rate of loss from the second mode in order that the amplitudes be constant in time. The transfer rate upwards due to coupling must have the same value. Similar reasoning explains the care when the second grade is unstable, requiring that the rst mode to be stable. K= (b) Stability of Limit Cycles To determine the stability of the limit cycles, the variables are written as i = i0 + 0 ; = o + 0 and i substituted in the governing equations (7.5) a,b,c. The linearized equations for the disturbances are then solved for characteristic value in the assumed forms 0 = 0 et ; . For stability, an initial disturbance must decay. i i0 Applying that requirement produces regions of stability in the plane of the parameters o = (2 21 )2 =(2 +21 )2 and 2 =1 , shown in Figure 7.2
Figure 7.2. Regions of Stability for Two Modes, Time-Averaged Equations There is presently no basis for understanding why stable limit cycles occur only for the special ranges of parameters shown in Figure 7.2. Moreover, it is impossible at this stage to understand the extent to which the shapes of the regions of stability depend on the use of time-averaged equations and on truncation to two modes. It is important for both practical and theoretical reasons to assess and quantify as far as possible the consequences of time-averaging and truncation. Considerable progress has been made in that direction by using a continuation method to solve the systems of oscillator equations. Some results are discussed in the following section.
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Here it is useful to examine several special cases. Figure 7.3 shows that if the parameters are chosen so that the operating point lies with the range for stable limit cycles and the rst mode is unstable, truncation may have relatively small eects. On the other hand, if the limit cycle is unstable within the two-mode approximation with an unstable rst mode, it may become stable (with the same values of 1 ; 2 ; 1 ; 2 ) if more stable modes are accounted for.
Figure 7.3. Eects of Truncation for a Stable Limit Cycle/First Mode Unstable
Figure 7.4. Development of a Stable Limit Cycle when the Second Mode is Unstable
Figure 7.4 is interesting for a quite dierent reason. In this case the second mode is unstable, and the motion evolves to a stable limit cycle. However, unlike the example in Figure 7.3, the amplitudes do not grow smoothly and monotonically to their values in the limit cycle. Their erratic behavior is due to the fact that with the second mode unstable, energy must ow from high frequency to low frequency. That is contrary to the direction of ow imposed naturally by the uid mechanics (of the steepening of a compressive disturbance into a shock wave). The conict between the natural action of the nonlinear coupling on the one hand and the ow of energy imposed by
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energy exchange with the environment causes the amplitudes of the two modes to wander during the transient phase before nally reaching their ultimate values. 7.2. Application of a Continuation Method. Much of the work during the past decade at Caltech on chamber dynamics has been directed to understanding the extent to which nonlinear behavior can be explained on the basis of nonlinear gasdynamics. The reasoning is that rst we know the model of gasdynamics|the NavierStokes equations for compressible ow|so we can do accurate analysis; and second, those features that cannot be explained must be due to other causes so, by elimination we have some guidelines for what we should seek in other processes. Experience has shown that òther processes' is this context most probably means combustion. To carry out this program with numerical simulations|after all, few exact results exist|would be a formidable task because of the number of characteristic parameters. The parameter space comprises those dening the geometry of a chamber and two parameters (n ; n ) characterizing linear behavior of each mode. The eect required to search the parameter space is much reduced by applying a continuation method. The procedure is an ecient system means of locating values of parameters for which the dynamical behavior suers a qualitative change, i.e. bifurcation points. The simplest|almost trivial|example is the Hopf bifurcation point which arises when for a stable system one of the values n changes from a negative to a positive value; the system becomes linearly unstable and under suitable conditions the motion develops into a stable limit cycle. In fact, linear instability is not always such a simple matter. We have found cases with special sorts of nonlinear processes that a Hopf bifurcation may occur when the critical value of the critical n is non-zero. The essential idea of a continuation method applied to limit cycles is illustrated in Figure 7.5 where the variables of the motion are x(t) and is the parameter in question, the bifurcation parameter. A continuation method is a computational (numerical) scheme for following, in this case, the changes of a period solution|a limit cycle|as the values of one or more parameters are changed. A picture like Figure 7.5 is impossible to draw for more than three coordinates so the conventional display of information is a bifurcation diagram in which the amplitude of one variable in the limit cycle is plotted versus the parameters varied as the continuation method is applied. Figure 7.5 shows two examples, a Hopf bifurcation, also called a supercritical bifurcation and a subcritical bifurcation with a turning point. Those are the two types of bifurcation most common in the present context.
Figure 7.5. Schematic Illustration of the Continuation Method Applied to Limit Cycles
Figure 7.6. Two Examples of Bifurcation Thus a bifurcation diagram is a locus of equilibrium point traced as the bifurcation parameter is changed. As a practical matter, application of a continuation method is more systematic and cheaper to use than use of numerical simulations. We have successfully used a continuation method (Doedel et al. 1991a,b; Doedel et al. 1997) to investigate four classes of problems:
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(i) (ii) (iii) (iv)
consequences of time-averaging consequences of truncating the modal expansion inuences of the linear parameters (n ; n ) on nonlinear behavior pulsed instabilities: the conditions for existence of stable limit cycles in a linearly stable system.
The problems (i) and (ii) are central to the matter of constructing reduced-order models. Hence it is important to emphasize that in our view, application of the continuation method to investigate the consequences of timeaveraging and truncation is part of the procedure for establishing the validity of reduced order models within the framework of analysis based on modal expansion and spatial averaging. The continuation method is a powerful means for investigating many nonlinear problems in the classic listed above. For more extensive discussions see Jahnke and Culick (1994); Burnley (1996); Burnley and Culick (1996); and Ananthkrishnan and Culick (2002). As an illustration we quote here some results for limit cycles for systems of longitudinal modes when only the gasdynamical nonlinearities are accounted for. We are interested in the consequences of truncation with time-averaging. In Section 7.1 we cited a few results for the limiting case of two modes described by the four equations found with time-averaging. Figure 7.3 shows the special example of as eect of truncating the series expansion for the time-averaged system: increasing the number of modes apparently widens the region of stability. In fact, use of the continuation method has established the result that the existence for region of stability for limit cycles with two modes is due to truncation. When the rst mode is unstable, stable limit cycles exist for all values of , if more than two modes are taken into account. That is true even if the original oscillator equations are used. Figure 7.7 shows that if time-averaging is not used, there is a turning point in the bifurcation diagram. If
Figure 7.7. Eect of Time-Averaging for Two Modes more than two modes are accounted for, the boundary of stability persists for the time-averaged equations but does not appear if more than two modes are included. Figure 7.8 is the result for the time-averaged equations and Figure 7.9 shows the case of 4 modes computed for the full oscillator equations. It seems true that if the system is only slightly unstable, then the system of time-averaged equations for two-longitudinal modes is a good approximate model for investigating nonlinear behavior. However, if one is generally interested in producing reduced order models, the eects of truncation and time-averaging should be investigated. Applying a continuation method seems to be the best approach for doing so.
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Figure 7.8. Stability Boundaries by Truncation of the Time-Averaged Equations
Figure 7.9. Maximum Amplitude of 1 in The Limit Cycle: Four Modes, Comparison of Results for the Full Oscillator and the Time-Averaged Equations 7.3. Hysteresis and Control of Combustion Instabilities. The existence of hysteresis in the dynamical behavior of combustions is both an interesting phenomenon to investigation and a characteristic that has potentially important practical consequences. It seems that the rst evidence for hysteresis in combustors was found by Russian researchers concerned with instabilities in liquid rockets (Natanzon et al 1993; Natanzon 1999). In that case, Natanzon and his co-workers proposed bifurcation of steady states of combustion, and the associated hysteresis, as a possible explanation for the random occurrences of combustion instabilities. The Russian workers were in a special situation aording them the opportunity to make such observations. The large Russian boosters were designed to use many (up to thirty-three) liquid rocket engines in a single stage. Hence large numbers of nominally identical engines were manufactured and tested for operational use. Sucient data were obtained that statistical analysis of the behavior could be carried out. Hence a basis existed for identifying random behavior. The idea is the following.
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In a liquid rocket many zones of recirculation are created at the injector where jets of liquid fuel and/or oxidizer enter the chamber. As an approximation, one may regard a recirculation zone as a chemical reactor whose behavior is known to be well-characterized by the temperature of the incoming gases entrained from the environment, and the average temperature within the zone. A fairly simple calculation based on consideration of energy and mass ows leads to the results sketched in Figure 7.10. The upper and lower branches of the
Figure 7.10. Hysteresis Loop for a Recirculated Zone Idealized as a Simple Chemical Reactor hysteresis loop represent dierent branches of stable combustion. Those states have dierent inuences on the state of combustion in the chamber. It was Natanzon's assertion that the state associated with the lower branch in Figure 7.10 (the cold recirculation zone) is more unstable and prone to lead to combustion instabilities. Which branch is reached depends on the history of the engine, starting from ignition or some other sort of abrupt transient. The nal state of a recirculation zone therefore depends on random àccidents' of history. Therefore random occurences or combustion instabilities may be observed. Figure 7.11 is a sketch of a possible recirculation zone and adjacent ow of a fuel or oxidizer jet, this model has been used as the basis for numerical calculations supporting Natanzon's proposal.
Figure 7.11. Sketch of a Recirculation Zone formed by a Jet of Fuel or Oxidizer In the mid-1980's research with a dump combustor at Caltech revealed the presence of a dierent kind of hysteresis of dynamical states of combustion (Smith, 1985; Sterling, 1987). The combustor has been described in Section 1, Figure 1.3; Figure 6.2 shows the inlet region and the recirculation zone at the dump plane during steady combustion. The combustor showed combustion instabilities in the neighborhood of the stability boundary dened in the plane of ow rate and equivalence ratio. Figure 7.12(a). Figure 7.12(b) shows the hysteresis loop, observed as dependence of the level if pressure oscillation on equivalent ratio with the total ow rate held constant. This sort of behavior has been observed also in other dump combustors (J. Cohen, UTRC; and G. Richards, METC) as well as as in a ame-driven Rijke tube (Seywert, 2001) and in an electrically driven Rijke tube (Matveev, 2002). More recent works (Knoop et al. 1996; Isella et al. 1996) have established the physical nature of the hysteresis in this case and have shown how active control can be used to extend the range of steady operation into the hysteretic region. High speed lms have conrmed that the upper branch of the loop is associated with shedding of large vortices which, causing periodic combustion of entrained reactants sustain high amplitude pressure oscillations. The lower branch is associated with relatively quiet combustion in a shear layer shed from the lip at the inlet.
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(a)
(b)
Figure 7.12. (a) Stability Boundary and (b) an Idealized Hysteresis Loop for the Caltech Dump Combustor Familiar considerations of dynamical behavior suggest that it should be possible to achieve pulsed transitions between the two branches of stable dynamical states. Those processes were demonstrated by Knoop et al and Isella et al by injecting pulses of fuel at the inlet plane. Single pulses of fuel always cause transition from the upper to the lower branch. Thus with suitable sensing and actuation it is possible always to maintain the low level of oscillations (eectively `noise') within the zone where hysteresis exists. This is a form of nonlinear control. Although it has been demonstrated only for the range of equivalence ratio covering the zone of hysteresis, it is an important demonstration of active control at a frequency far less than the frequency of the oscillations. That is a signicant characteristic because if the reduced bandwidth required of the control system, particularly the actuation. 7.4. Representing Noise in Analysis of Combustor Dynamics. Even a small laboratory combustor radiates considerable noise, generated by turbulent motions (often called `combustion noise') within the chamber. See, for example, the spectrum reproduced earlier as Figure 1.4. The scaling laws are not known, but it is obvious to any bystander that a full-scale combustor of any sort is noisy indeed. Presently it is not well understood how important noise is to the behavior of combustion instabilities or to the application of feedback control. The purpose of this section is to introduce a means for investigating those matters within the framework developed in Sections 3 and 4. There are three sorts of problems that will arise: (i) formal construction of noise (stochastic) sources in the framework of spatially averaged equations for unsteady motions in a combustor; (ii) modelling the noise sources; (iii) solving the stochastic dierential equations. The rst step, as explained in Section 3.1, is to apply the principle of splitting small disturbances into the three basic modes of propagation: acoustic waves, vorticity waves, and entropy waves. All of the discussion so far in these lectures has been devoted to the acoustic eld. Noise is associated with the random motions comprising mainly vorticity but also entropy (or temperature) waves in a combustion chamber. Our concern in the present context is directed chiey to interactions of those motions with the acoustic eld. The formal representation will be relatively simple and intuitively persuasive, but modelling the details remains to be accomplished. Numerical results require assumptions that cannot be justied a priori.
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Following the principle of splitting, we write the ow variables as sums of the three contributions, one each corresponding to the three modes of motion: p0 = p0 + p0 + p0 a s 0 = 0 + 0 + 0 a s s0 = s0 + s0 + s0 a s u0 = u0 a + u0 + u0 s Subscripts ( )a , ( ) , ( )s denote acoustic, vortical and entropic contributions. Once again, the ordering procedure explained in Sections 3 and 4 allows us to derive meaningful results by considering only the rst order components. Hence we assume that only the acoustic waves contain pressure uctuation; only the waves of vorticity contain vorticity uctuations; and only the entropy waves have uctuations of entropy. The velocity eld possesses contributions from all three modes. The idea then is to substitute the assumed general forms of the variables and substitute in the primitive equations of motion expanded to third order in the uctuations. Then form the nonlinear equation for the pressure and apply spatial averaging. This procedure was rst reported by Culick et al. (1992) but in revised and corrected form by Burnley (1996) and Burnley and Culick (1999). Eventually one nds the oscillator equations,
2 n + !n n = Fn
(7.10) a,b,c,d
by now Fn contains stochastic sources. The `general' form of Fn is pEn 2 1 1 Fn = I1 + 2 I2 + I3 + 2 I4 + I5 a2 a a Z Z Z Z @u0 1 @P 0 @u0 + u+ ^ nn dS F 0 rn dV + 2 ^ n dV @t @t a @t where I1 = Z [ ru0 + u0 r] rn dV u u
and similar denitions for the remaining integrals I1 . See the references for details. Then the unsteady velocity eld is split according to (7.10) a,b,c,d. Eventually re-arrangement and application of the assumptions discussed above leads to the result 1 1 XX 2 n + !n n = 2n n + 2!n n n _ [Anij i j + Bnij i j ] _ _ (7.11) i=1 i=1 X N L v _ + [ni i + ni i ] + n + Fn other
v where the ni , ni and n are stochastic sources dened as integrals over the vortical and entropic uctuations of the velocity. See the references cited above for details.
No modeling based on experimental, theoretical or phenomenological grounds has been accomplished. Explicit results have been obtained by approximating the stochastic sources as white noise processes having properties chosen to be realistic, i.e. the results seem to be reasonably consistent with available measurements of actual behavior. Two types of stochastic inuences arise in (7.11): (i) ni , v represent stochastic inuences on the `spring' or natural frequency of the nth mode ni and on the damping or growth rate. These are formally referred to as `multiplicative noise sources' because they appear as factors multiplying the dependent variables, the displacement and velocity of the nth oscillator. (ii) n represents a stochastic driving source causing excitation of the nth oscillator even in the absence of driving by combustion processes; the n are formally called àdditive noise sources'.
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It is evident from the form of (7.11) that the random character of the stochastic sources will appear as random uctuations imposed on the amplitudes n (t) of the acoustic modes; exactly the sort of behavior found experimentally. Thus, Fourier synthesis of the pressure eld, the modal expansion, continues to serve as a good approximate representation of the deterministic results can be obtained by retaining only a small number of terms. Results were obtained rst for the simplest, case of two modes, with noise sources only in the fundamental mode. Nonlinear gasdynamic coupling transfer stochastic behavior to the second mode. Computations have been carried out with a Monte-Carlo method to give probability density functions, with the equations written in the Stratonovich form of stochastic dierential equations (Burnley, 1996). Figure 7.13 shows the pressure trace and spectrum for a simulation in which the rst mode is unstable.
Figure 7.13. Pressure Trace and Spectrum for a Simulation with Noise; Four Modes Included, First Mode Unstable This method of accounted for noise in a combustor seems to be very promising. However modeling the noise sources is in a primitive state, and comparisons of results with experimental observations can only be done qualitatively. 7.5. System Identication for Combustor Dynamics with Noise. Use of system identication in the eld of combustor dynamics seems to have been developed rst by Russian groups as part of their development of liquid rocket engines, beginning perhaps as early as the 1950's but certainly in the 1960's (Agarkov et al. 1993). In several papers during the 1980's, Hessler (1979, 1980, 1982) and Duer and Hessler (1984), and more recently Hessler and Glick (1998) have asserted that the oscillations observed as combustion instabilities in solid rocket motors are driven rather than self-excited. The sources of the driving|i.e. the `mechanisms'|are supposed to be either vortex shedding or noise. Hessler and co-workers conclude that the properties of the noise measured in a stable chamber can be used as the basis for infusing properties of the primary mechanism causing instabilities when they arise or more correctly, such data will provide quantitative information about the static stability margins|how close the dominant acoustic modes are to becoming unstable. The basic idea is sound. When the mechanisms are interpreted as driving forces independent of the acoustic eld, and they are assumed to be broad-band, then the acoustic modes are excited to amplitudes related directly to the amount of damping (n ). Hence the idea is to process noisy records in such a fashion as to extract the values of the linear parameters (n ; n ). The proposed method can be tested using the oscillator equations with some sources derived in the preceding section.
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Seywert and Culick (1999) have reported results of some numerical simulations carried out to check the idea just described. In particular, the main purpose was to determine the accuracy with which the experimental method would give the linear parameters. The procedure is straightforward. To be denite and to keep the computations within practical bounds, we consider a system of four modes, each containing noise sources which, as explained in Section 7.4, are assumed to be white noise. The amplitudes of the noise (rms values) are selected so that random amplitude uctuations in the pressure spectrum have values in the ranges experimentally observed (Seywert and Culick). Three types of problems arise, associated with the three types of noise sources: additive noise, n ; and two v kinds of multiplicative noise, n which aects mainly the growth and decay rates, and n which causes random variations of the frequency. In all cases we are concerned here with discovering the ways in which noise aects the result of system identication. The idea is to select values of the n , n and carry out numerical simulations. The data are then processed to give values of the n , n which now have mean values and some uncertainties due to the presence of the noise. The questions to be answered are: How close are the mean values to the time values used as inputs? and How large are the uncertainties? These are important practical matters. If the method is eective, then data from hot rings of full-scale combustors could be used to infer the linear parameters characterizing the dynamics represented by several modes. Those parameters identify the poles of the response function of the chamber. Hence a relatively straightforward process would give the information required to proceed with designing a linear control system (see Section 2.5). Actually there are two ways to get the information: process pressure records naturally occurring; or process the pressure record following an pulse. The method of pulsing has long been used as means of assessing the stability margin of liquid rockets (Harrje and Reardon, 1972). Both methods have been used for a stable system of four longitudinal modes having the parameters given in the table; the fundamental frequency is 900 s1 . Figure 7.14 shows a simulated pressure trace and Figure 7.15 shows its power spectrum and construction using Berg's method.25
mode
n (s1 ) 50 375 584 889 n (s1 ) 12:9 46:8 29 131
Table 7.1. Values of the Linear Parameters
Figure 7.14. Simulated Pressure Trace with Noise; All Modes Stable
25 Berg's method is a standard method of signal processing, widely available. We have used the software included in the Signal Processing Toolbox, and extension of MATLAB.
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In Figure 7.17, a simulated response to a pulse is tted by the superposition of four modes: p0 X Ai ei t cos(!i t + i ) = p i=1 The parameters Ai , i , !i , i are tted using a least squares method.
4
Figure 7.15. Application of Berg's Method: Power Spectrum of the Pressure Trace in Figure 7.14 and its Reconstruction
Figure 7.16. Dependence of the Peak Amplitudes of the Power Spectra for Four Modes, on Noise Power Without good data for the noise in an actual combustor and no model, we assume white noise sources. Their amplitudes are chosen so that the average (rms) values of the simulated pressure records are reasonable Table 7.2 shows the relation between the rms value of the system response (p0 =) and the noise power of . The `noisepower' p cannot be measured, being the height of the power spectral density of the noise. Figure 7.16 gives a more detailed picture, showing how the amplitudes of the spectra of the four modes increase with noise power. We use the noise power as a parameter. Figure 7.18 shows an example of the sort of results one nds for v multiplicative noise in the modal damping (n 60; n = 0; n = 0). The corresponding results of using the = pulse method are given in Figure 7.19.
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Noise Power of n 101 103 105
rms Values of p0 = p :005% :05% :5%
Table 7.2. Relation Between the Noise Power of n and the rms Value of the Simulated Pressure Fluctuation
Figure 7.17. Reconstructed Pressure Trace for the Transient Response Excited by a 10% Pulse
Figure 7.18. Values of Decay Rates (Modal Attenuation) Found with Berg's Method with Multiplicative (n ) Noise We conclude from these results that substantial errors may accompany system identication in the presence of realistic (we believe) noise. How signicant the errors are depends the particular application at hand and in how small the stability margins are. For a weakly stable system, values of the margins determined in this way are suspect because of the nite uncertainties. The results would therefore not be useful as a basis for representing the combustor's response function.
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Figure 7.19. Values of Decay Rates (Modal Attenuation) Found with the Method of Pulsing It should be clear from the nature of the methods described here that the system must be stable (i.e. all modes must be stable) for this application. For example, if data (simulated) for a limit cycle are processed in this fashion, the inferred values of n , n have no apparent connection with the correct values.
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8. PASSIVE CONTROL OF COMBUSTION INSTABILITIES Given the irrefutable observational evidence that combustion instabilities will almost inevitably occur during development of new motors, the problem of treating them becomes crucially important. The goal must be to eliminate undesirable oscillation, but as a practical matter it may well be satisfactory to reduce their amplitudes to acceptable levels. The manufacturer and the customer must then be condent that the amplitudes will not grow unexpectedly at some later time. Figure 1.6 suggests the intentions or goals of introducing passive control: (i) Increase the losses of acoustic energy so they exceed the gains in the frequency range where the instability occurs; (ii) Reduce the gains of acoustic energy below the losses; or (iii) Shift the natural frequencies of the chamber modes so that none lie within the range of frequencies where the gains of acoustic energy exceed the losses. The chief ways of achieving these goals in practice are: (i) Increase the losses of acoustic energy: modify the geometry including possibly, the shape of the nozzle entry section add resonators, baes or `resonant rods' introduce stability additives
(iii) Shift the natural frequencies of the chamber change the geometry of the chamber
(ii) Reduce the gains of acoustic energy: eliminate geometrical causes of vortex shedding change the composition of the propellant|notably the size distribution of oxidizer particles introduce stability additives
Of the various possibilities, the most commonly used now are changes of geometry, and introduction of stability additives. Generally there are three reasons to revise the internal design: eliminate possible causes of vortex shedding; shift the frequencies of the normal modes; and increase the gains, or reduce the losses of acoustic energy. The last tactic rests on understanding the contributions to the growth/decay constant, as well as the way in which the shape of the grain changes with time during a ring. The results shown in Figure 8.1 illustrate the point. It is particularly important to know as well as possible the relative importance of pressure and velocity coupling. That understanding requires knowing the acoustic mode shapes|easily acquired (or estimated if necessary)|and, more importantly, the response functions of the propellant for pressure and velocity coupling. We have emphasized in Section 2 that at the present time data for the pressure coupled response can be obtained only with diculty and considerable uncertainty. There is no method for routinely determining the velocity coupled response. The problem of relating changes of composition of a propellant to changes of its combustion dynamics remains essentially unsolved. Experience has provided some guidelines (inuences of AP particle size distribution is perhaps the best example) but what is available has largely to do with the eects of quite signicant changes of composition on the pressure-coupled response. The consequences of small changes of composition (which may be inadvertant and within manufacturing specications) are simply not understood. The inability to obtain accurate experimental results is a serious obstacle to improving this situation. To good approximation, the dynamics of velocity coupling are not understood. Qualitative ideas are available (see Section 2) but|again due to the lack of a good test method|the true mechanisms cannot be determined
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and it is impossible to collect quantitative information. This remains, in the author's opinion, the most signicant and dicult outstanding problem in this eld. In practice, much reliance has been placed on small changes of propellant composition, the use of `stability additives.' Following the early use of resonance rods to provide stability in small motors, the favorable eects of stability additives were rst investigated in the 1950s and 1960s (Summereld 1960; Waesche 1999; Price 1971; Evans and Smith 1978). Much of the experience rests in proprietary company les, possibly under the heading \fairy dust." Stability additives seem to have two main consequences: they may change the propellant response function (pressure or velocity coupling or both); and they certainly aect the properties of condensed combustion products that act to attenuate acoustic oscillations. As many as 80 dierent additives have been studied, but only a very small number have been widely used. The most common are aluminum oxide and zirconium oxide. Changing the properties of the primary metallic aluminum in the propellant may have substantial favorable consquences. Changes in the response function may be due both to physical and chemical processes. What actually happens cannot be established unambiguously. In this situation, the collaboration of experimental tests (however crude); observation of the behavior of sub- and full-scale motors; spectulation; and theory, is extremely important. The continued elaboration of analyses of the sort discussed briey in Section 2 is basic to this process, including calculation of linear and nonlinear dynamical behavior in motors. For motors containing aluminum, the most signicant damping process is the viscous interaction between condensed material and the surrounding gases under oscillatory conditions. The amount of attenuation is proportional to the amount of condensed material present but especially depends on the particle size distribution. Figure 8.1 shows the results of calculations of the attenuation. The main and extremely important point is that for a given frequency and particle loading (mass of particles per unit mass of gas/particle mixture) the maximum attenuation is strongly dependent on particle size. Hence in practice, means are sought to alter the combustion of the propellant and aluminum to generate particles of condensed aluminum oxide having size suitable for greastest damping of the instability at hand. In recent years this has been possibly the most widely used (or at least contemplated) strategy to treat instabilities in motors operating with metallized propellants and has often been successful. The strategy is of course less relevant to smokeless and low smoke systems. Hence the search for `fairy dust.'
Figure 8.1. Attenuation of Acoustic Waves by Particles Suspended in a Gas.
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A. EQUATIONS OF MOTION Combustion systems commonly contain condensed phases: liquid fuel or oxidizer and combustion products including soot and condensed metal oxides. Hence the equations of motion must account for two or three phases and at least one species in each. For investigating the dynamics of combustors, it is entirely adequate to represent each phase as its mass average over all member species. It is unnecessary to distinguish liquid and solid material and we assume a single species in the condensed phase, devoted by subscript ( )l . For some applications it is appropriate to extend the representation slightly to accommodate distributions of particle sizes, not included in this appendix. There is some advantage to treating the gas phase as a multi-component reacting mixture. As the primitive conservation equations we therefore begin with the following set: A.1. General Equations of Motion. Conservation of Species @i (l) + r (i ui ) = wi + wi + wei @t Global Conservation of Mass, Gas Phase @g (l) + r (g ug ) = wg + weg @t Global Conservation of Mass, Condensed Phase26 @l (l) + r (l ul ) = wg + wel @t Global Conservation of Momentum ! i X @ X $ i ui + l ul + r i ui ui + l ul + rp = r v + meg + mel @t Global Conservation of Energy X X $ @ X i ui eoi + l ul eol + r pi ui = r v ug r q + Qe i eoi + l eol + r @t Equation of State, Gas Phase p = g Rg Tg (A.6)
(A.1)
(A.2)
(A.3)
(A.4)
(A.5)
For simplication, the above equations already contain some terms involving mass averaging over the species $ comprising the gas phase, namely the viscous tensor v ; the vector q representing heat conduction; and the equation, of state (A.6). For more complete derivations of the equations for multicomponent mixtures, see for example Chapman and Cowling (1958); Hirschfelder, Curtis and Bird (19 ); Truesdell and Toupin (1960); and Williams (1985). Superscript ( )(l) means that the liquid phase is the source and subscript ( )e denotes an external source. It follows from repeated use of the Gibbs-Dalton law for mixtures of perfect gases that p is the sum of partial pressures, g is the sum of the densities and R is the mass average of the individual gas species, so for the gas phase we have X p= pi X g = i (A.7) a,b,c X 1 i Ri Rg = g
26 Note
that l represents the mass of condensed material per unit volume of chamber, not the density of the material itself.
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Subscript ( )i identies the ith gaseous species; and in all cases except Tg , ( )g means a mass average over all gas species as, for example, X 1 X i ui = Yi ui (A.8) ug = g where Yi = i =g is the mass concentration of the ith species. Writing equations (A.1){(A.5) explicitly with sums over species allows proper accounting of the inuencesof diusion, and leads to the formula for energy released by chemical reactions written in the conventional fashion. Thus the basis for subsequently modeling is rigorously set. For analysis of unsteady motins in combustors it is perfectly adequate to reduce the general description for a multicomponent mixture to a model representing a single uid having the mass-averaged properties of the actual mixture. Details of the procedure may be found elsewhere (Culick 1999). Only the results are germane here. The set of equations forming the basis for the theory and analysis we discuss in these lectures is: D = r u + W (A.9) Dt Du = rp + F Dt DT = pr u + Q Dt Dp = pr u + P Dt 1 Ds = S Dt T p = RT (A.10)
Cv
(A.11)
(A.12)
(A.13) (A.14)
For completeness we have also included the equation (A.13) for the entropy, obtained in familiar fashion by applying the combined. First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics to an element of uid. That is, the relation de = T ds pdv can be written 1 De Dv Ds = +p Dt T Dt Dt (A.15) 1 DT Dv = Cv +p T Dt Dt Substitution of (A.9) and (A.11) gives (A.13) with the source p S= Q 2 W (A.16)
It is important to realize that this formulation contains all relevant physical processes, including those representing the actions of external inuences associated, for example, with active control of combustor dynamics. The source functions in (A.9){(A.13) are W = we r (l u) F =r Q=
$ v $ v
(A.17)
(l) ul wg
r u r q + Qw + Qe (eog wog + eol wl ) + D +
+ me + mD e
+ Fl + Fl
(A.18) hi r (g Vi Yi ) (A.19)
(l) F u (m e ) + (u u) wg + Ql + u Fl u (F Fl )
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P=
R Q + RT [W r (l u)] Cv p S= Q 2 W
(A.20) (A.21)
The quantities ( ) represent dierences between values for the gas and condensed phases. For example, T = Tl Tg in the dierence in temperature between the temperature Tl of the condensed phase and that, Tg , of the gas phase. A.2. Expansions in Mean and Fluctuating Variables. Following the steps suggested in Section 3.3 to produce equations (3.23){(3.28) will give the expressions for the brackets dened there to simplify the appearance of the equations: f[]g1 = M r0 + 0 r M + M0 r (A.22) fg2 = r (0 M0 ) DM f[M ]g1 = (M rM0 + M0 rM + 0 Dt fM g2 = 0 @M0 + M0 rM0 + 0 M rM0 + M0 rM @t (A.23)
(A.24)
(A.25) (A.26)
fM g3 = 0 M0 rM0 DT f[T ]g1 = Cv M rT 0 + M0 rT + Cv 0 + p0 rM Dt fT g2 = Cv 0 @T 0 + Cv 0 M rT 0 + M0 rT + Cv M0 rT 0 + p0 r M0 @t
(A.27)
(A.28) (A.29) (A.30) (A.31)
fT g3 = Cv 0 M0 rT 0 f[p]g1 = M rp0 + M0 r + p0 r M p fpg2 = M0 rp0 + p0 r M0 s D + T M0 + T 0 M r f[s]g1 = T M rs0 + 0 T s Dt fsg2 = 0 T s Ds0 @s0 D 0 s + 0 T 0 + T + T 0 M0 r + T 0 Dt Dt @t
(A.32)
(A.33)
s fsg3 = T 0 + 0 T M0 rs0 + 0 T 0 M0 r + M rs0 fsg4 = 0 T 0 M0 rs0
(A.34) (A.35)
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The subscript f gn on the curly brackets means that the contained quantities are written to order n in the uctuations of ow variables. Similarly, the square brackets indicate that the terms are of rst order in the Mach number of the mean ow. Higher order square brackets are not required, as explained in Section 3.3.1.
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B. THE EQUATIONS FOR ONE-DIMENSIONAL UNSTEADY MOTIONS These are many problems for which the ow may be approximated as one-dimensional. Even when the approximation may not seem as accurate as we might like, it is always a good beginning. The desired results are usually obtained without real eect and often are inspiringly close to the truth. An elementary example is computation of the normal modes for a straight tube having discontinuities, Section 5.5.2. Here we are concerned with situations in which inuences at the lateral boundary must be accounted for. The formulation of the general problem is then essentially the counterpart of the constitution of the one-dimensional equations for steady ow in ducts thoroughly discussed by Shapiro (1953). Accounting for changes of area in the one-dimensional approximation is a straightforward matter; following the rules applied to derivations appearing in the three-dimensional equations: @ u r( )!u ( ) @x 1 @ ) r( )! Sc ( (B.1) Sc @x @( ) 1 @ r2 ( )= Sc Sc @x @x where the axis of the duct lies along the x-direction and Sc (x) is the distribution of the cross-section area. More interesting are consequences of processes at the lateral boundary, particularly when there is ow through the surface. The most important applications arise in solid propellant rockets when burning propellant forms all or part of the lateral surface. Inow of mass momentum and energy must be accounted for (Culick 1971, 1973; Culick and Yang 1992). The equations have the same form as the three-dimensional equations derived in Appendix A, equations (A.9){(A.13) but the rule (B.1) applied and only the velocity component u along axis of the duct taken to be non-zero: Conservation of Mass D 1 @ = (Sc u) + W 1 + W dt Sc @x Conservation of Momentum Conservation of Energy Cv Equation for the Pressure Dp 1 @ = p (Sc u) + P1 + P1s Dt Sc @x Equation for the Entropy Ds 1 = (S1 + S1s ) Dt T where @ @ D = +u Dt @t @x (B.7) (B.6) (B.5) DT 1 @ = p (Sc u) + Q1 + Q1s Dt Sc @x (B.4) Du @p = + F 1 + F 1s Dt @x (B.3)
1s
(B.2)
The source terms W 1 , F 1 , Q1 , P1 and S1 are the one-dimensional forms of (A.17){(A.21) written for the axial component of velocity only and with the rules (B.1) applied. In addition, sources of mass, momentum and energy associated with ow through the lateral boundary are represented by the symbols with subscript ( )s (Culick 1973, Culick and Yang 1995):
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1s
F 1s = Q1s = P1s = S1s =
Z Z g 1 1 ms dq = ms + ml dq s Sc Sc Z 1 (us u)mg + (uls ul )ml dq s s Sc Z 1 (h0s e0 )mg + (el0s ul0 )ml + Cv T mg dq s s s Sc R Qs1 Cv 1 p Q1s = W 1s p
(B.8) (B.9) (B.10) (B.11) (B.12)
)(l) refer respectively to the gas and liquid phases and subscript ( )s Superscripts ( )(g) and ( (g) (l) denotes values at the surface. The mass uxes at the surface, ms and ms are of course computed as values normal to the boundary and are positive for inward ow. Here q stands for the parameter of the local section normal to the axis. B.1. Equations for Unsteady One-Dimensional Motions. Forming the equations for the uctuating motions within the one-dimensional approximation is done in exactly the same way as for the general equations, Appendix A. We need only apply the rules (B.1) and add to the inhomogeneous functions h and f the contributions from processes at the boundary. As for the general three-dimensional equations, we defer writing the uctuations 0 W 0 , F 1 , until we consider specic problems. 1 The procedure introduced in Section 3.3.3 for forming the systems of equations for a hierarchy of problems applies equally to one-dimensional motions. As above, the equations are obtained from the three-dimensional equations by applying the rules (B.1): the results can be constructed when needed. However, the contributions from processes at the lateral boundary are special. Written to rst order in the uctuations and the Mach number of the mean ow; the dimensional forms of (B.8){(B.12) are: Z 2 0 1 0 W 1s = (B.13) ms dq Sc Z Z l 0 1 1 0 (s u) (mg )0 dq + u (ls u) u ms dq F 1s = s Sc Sc Z Z (B.14) 1 0 1 0 0 g 0 l (u u ) ms dq + (u ul ) ms dq + Sc s Sc ls Z Z Z l 0 1 1 + (l0s el0 ) e ms dq + Cv T (mg )0 dq h0s e0 (mg )0 dq + Q0 = 1s s s Sc Sc Z Z Z (B.15) 1 1 0 0 g0 0 0 l g 0 (h e0 ) ms dq + + (el0s el0 ) ms + Cv T (ms ) dq + Sc 0s Sc R 0 Q (B.16) P0 = 1s Cv 1s 1 p S0 = Q0 W 0 (B.17) 1s p 1s 1s
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ATTACHMENT | AIAA-2002-3592 N. Ananthkrishnan, Shardul Deo, F.E.C. Culick
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Modeling and Dynamics of Nonlinear Acoustic Waves in a Combustion Chamber

N. Ananthkrishnan and Shardul Deoy Indian Institute of Technology (Bombay), Mumbai 400076, India and Fred E.C. Culickz California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125 Abstract Future combustors designed for better eciency and lower pollutant emission are expected to operate closer to their stability boundary, thereby increasing the risk of encountering combustion instability. Onset of combustion instability leads to limit cycle oscillations in the acoustical uctuations that can often reach amplitudes large enough to cause severe damage. Active control strategies are, therefore, being considered to prevent combustion instabilities, but their development requires nonlinear models that can faithfully capture the combustor system dynamics. A framework for the approximate analysis of the nonlinear acoustics in a combustion chamber exists, which includes all relevant linear contributions and also second order gasdynamic nonlinearities. Nonlinear combustion eects in the form of pressure and velocity coupling models have also been incorporated into the analysis with the aim of capturing the phenomenon of triggered instability, where the acoustical uctuations are linearly stable to small perturbations, but show a limit cycle behavior for larger perturbations. However, several questions such as those relating to 1) modal truncation of the equations for the acoustic dynamics, 2) absence of triggered limit cycles in the formulation with only second order gasdynamic nonlinearities, and 3) the form of the velocity coupling function, including the need for a threshold character, have not been satisfactorily resolved. In this paper, we address some of these questions on modeling and dynamics of acoustic waves in combustion chambers, using the approximate analysis, that have remained unanswered over the years. 1. Introduction Combustion chambers operating under conditions that favor high eciency and low pollutant emission are prone to suer from combustion instabilities. These instabilities arise due to a coupling between the unsteady uid motion and the combustion processes in the chamber. This interaction can be thought of as analogous to a positive feedback mechanism where uctuations in the ow properties and in the combustion heat release drive each other in a regenerative manner. Amplitude dependent nonlinearities then cut in to limit the growth in the uctuations. Thus, to an observer external to the chamber, combustion instabilities appear as self-excited limit cycle oscillations in the ow variables. It was shown by Chu and Kovasznay [1] that the uctuations could be represented by a combination of acoustic, vortical, and entropic waves propagating in the combustion chamber. Traditionally, the term combustion instability has been used to refer to instabilities in the acoustical uctuations. These acoustic oscillations can often reach amplitudes large enough to cause severe damage, and sometimes even complete failure. As a result, considerable eort has been made in the past to predict the onset of acoustic instabilities in combustion chambers. Solid propellant rocket motors have been known to exhibit two qualitatively dierent kinds of behavior at onset of combustion instability: 1) linear instability, where the acoustical uctuations, in response to a small perturbation, build up to a limit cycle, and 2) nonlinear instability, where the acoustical uctuations show a stable, damped response for small perturbations, but show a limit cycle response to larger perturbations. Nonlinear instability of this nature has been called pulsed or triggered instability [2, 3]. Both linear and nonlinear (triggered) instability have been observed in recent experiments on a gas turbine combustor as well [4]. Much of the early work on combustion instability dealt with the question of linear stability, assuming that the acoustic oscillations could be described in terms of the classical acoustic modes of the combustion chamber. The linear combustion instability problem appears to have been satisfactorily addressed, though work continues on the eects of the vorticity and entropy waves in the combustion chamber on the stability of the acoustic oscillations [5, 6]. It was, however, recognized early on that the dynamics of acoustic waves in combustion chambers was essentially nonlinear, and that it was necessary to be able to understand and model the nonlinear behavior of
e Assistant Professor, Department of Aerospace Engineering, Senior Member AIAA, akn@aero.iitb.ac.in \ y Undergraduate Student, Department of Aerospace Engineering, deo@aero.iitb.ac.in ] z Richard L. and Dorothy M. Hayman Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Professor of Jet Propulsion, Fellow AIAA, fecy@caltech.edu
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these acoustic waves. The subject of nonlinear acoustics in combustion chambers began to be addressed by several researchers in the 1960's and 1970's. Most of these developments have been reviewed by Culick [7, 8], and are, therefore, not repeated here. The work by Culick [9, 10] during this period provided a general framework for the analysis of the nonlinear dynamics and stability of acoustic waves in combustion chambers. Under this framework, the partial dierential equations of uid conservation were approximated by a spatial averaging procedure to a set of ordinary dierential equations for the amplitudes of the acoustic modes. The approximations in the analysis, and the derivation of the equations for the acoustic modes, have been described on several occasions [7, 8]. The equations for the modal amplitudes form a set of coupled, nonlinear dierential equations that account for all relevant linear processes and include contributions from nonlinear gasdynamics to second order. On truncating the equations to a nite number of modes, the modal equations could be solved for the time evolution of the acoustic oscillations. Culick and Yang [11] reported a numerically computed solution for the acoustic oscillations with a ve-mode truncation of the approximate equations that was found to compare reasonably with a more exact numerical solution [11]. Conditions for the existence and stability of the limit cycle oscillations, and the qualitative dependence of the limit cycles on the system parameters, for the case of two longitudinal acoustic modes, were reported by Awad and Culick [12], and by Paparizos and Culick [13]. However, none of these studies were able to demonstrate triggered instability. It was felt, but not conclusively established, that the approximate analysis with nonlinear, second order gasdynamics alone was not capable of showing triggered instability. Extensions of the formulation to include third order gasdynamic nonlinearities and higher order interactions between the mean ow and the acoustics were equally unsuccessful in capturing triggered instability [14] in contrast to earlier results reported by Zinn [15]. The dierence between the two conclusions remains unexplained. Nonlinear combustion models then remained the most attractive candidate to represent triggered instability within the framework of the approximate analysis. Unsteady combustion in solid propellant rockets had already been described in terms of pressure and velocity coupling models [16]. Numerical studies by Levine and Baum [17] with an ad hoc velocity coupling model showed that triggered instabilities could indeed be found when nonlinear combustion processes were accounted for. However, the form of the velocity coupling function was purely empirical and it was dicult to judge its validity or uniqueness. Also, it was not easy to arrive at qualitative conclusions regarding the conditions for onset of triggered instability from numerical simulations alone. A signicant step forward in the investigations came with the introduction of the methods of modern dynamical systems theory by Jahnke and Culick [18] to the analysis of nonlinear combustion instabilities. By using a continuation algorithm, it became possible to systematically and eciently compute all steady state and limit cycle solutions over a range of parameter values. Stability of each steady state and limit cycle solution could be numerically established, and points of onset of instability could be identied with bifurcations. The qualitative behavior of the acoustic waves at onset of combustion instability then depends on the type of bifurcation, and on the nature of the limit cycles that emerge at the bifurcation point. This information is usually represented in the form of a plot of steady state values (peak amplitude in case of a limit cycle) against a suitable parameter in a bifurcation diagram. For longitudinal acoustic modes in a combustion chamber of uniform cross section, Jahnke and Culick [18] showed that results from a two-mode approximation were qualitatively dissimilar to those from a four- or six-mode approximation. However, they could draw no conclusion about the number of acoustic modes that need to be retained in their analysis, nor did their computations with second order gasdynamics alone display triggered limit cycles. Culick et al [19] extended the work in [18] by including the nonlinear combustion model of Levine and Baum [17] in addition to the second order gasdynamic nonlinearities. They conrmed that the nonlinear velocity coupling term in the Levine-Baum model did induce triggered limit cycles. However, their results with and without time-averaging showed signicant discrepancies. Their studies also suggested that a four-mode approximation could satisfactorily capture the qualitative dynamics for the case of a rst mode instability. Experiments by Ma et al [20] have suggested that the velocity coupling function has a threshold nature, i.e., there is a threshold value of the acoustic velocity below which the eects of nonlinear combustion are not felt. In a recent paper, using a four-mode truncation and an ad hoc threshold velocity coupling model, Burnley and Culick [21] have computed a bifurcation diagram which shows triggered limit cycles. Additional results are available in the thesis by Burnley [22].
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Despite the impressive progress over the last three decades in modeling the nonlinear dynamics of acoustic waves in combustion chambers, many questions yet remain unanswered. For example, rst of all, there is still no convincing argument for how many modes need to be retained in a truncated model of the coupled oscillator equations in order to predict the qualitative dynamics of the acoustic modes correctly. Secondly, though widely believed, it has never been denitely established that the approximate analysis with second order gasdynamics alone could not show triggered instability. Thirdly, the form of the velocity coupling function and, in particular, the need for a threshold character, has not been satisfactorily explained. These and such other questions have gained signicance in the light of recent focus on active control of combustion instabilities [23, 24]. Rather than restrict operation to safe, stable regions at the cost of decreased performance, future combustors seeking higher performance will be operated closer to their stability boundary, thereby increasing the risk of encountering combustion instability. Active control strategies promise to provide a feasible solution to the problem of preventing instability in these combustors, but they are expected to depend heavily on nonlinear models that can successfully capture the qualitative features of the combustion system dynamics. The approximate formulation developed by Culick and his co-workers appears to provide a suitable framework for the development of active control laws for combustion instability, but there is a need to address questions such as those listed above before the Culick framework can be condently applied to devise active combustion control strategies. Recent developments [25, 26, 27] in the use of bifurcation theory for the modeling of large-amplitude limit cycle oscillations have made it possible to seek answers to some questions on the qualitative dynamics of the acoustic waves at onset of combustion instability. In the remainder of this paper, we rst closely examine the coupled oscillator equations for the acoustic modal amplitudes. A careful study of the energy transfer between the acoustic modes provides a clue to the number of modes that need to be retained for a qualitatively correct analysis of the limit cycles at onset of combustion instability. The minimum order of the modal truncation for the rst and second mode instability cases is determined, thereby resolving a longstanding issue in the modeling of acoustic waves in combustion chambers. Following this, two known mechanisms for triggered instability in coupled oscillator systems are briey reviewed. With this knowledge, we then explain the lack of triggered limit cycles in the approximate formulation containing only second order gasdynamic nonlinearities. This is a result that, though widely believed in the past, has been theoretically established here for the rst time. Finally, nonlinear combustion mechanisms for triggering are studied. Observations by Culick et al [19] that nonlinear pressure coupling does not lead to triggering are now explained. Velocity coupling models used in the past are evaluated and are found to display non-physical dynamical behavior. The need for a threshold velocity coupling function is critically examined and a new form of the velocity coupling function is derived that naturally shows a threshold character. The approach at all times is from the viewpoint of the qualitative theory of dynamical systems. However, numerical results are provided to illustrate the conclusions arrived at from the theory. 2. Coupled Oscillator Equations The nonlinear dynamics of acoustic waves in a combustion chamber has been modeled by Culick [10] as a set of coupled second order oscillators, one for each acoustic mode. For the case of a combustion chamber of uniform cross section as considered in [18, 19], the modal natural frequencies can be assumed to be integral multiples of the primary acoustic mode frequency. Then, the coupled oscillator equations, with time non-dimensionalized by the primary mode frequency, can be written as follows: n1 X ^ ^ (1) ^ (1) _ _ n 2^ n n + n(n 2n )n = _ Cni i ni + Dni i ni
i=1 1 X (2) ^ (2) ^ _ _ C i n+i + D i n+i ni ni i=1
(2.1)
where n is the amplitude of the nth acoustic mode. Equation (2.1) includes linear contributions from combustion processes, gas-particle interactions, boundary conditions, and interactions between the steady and unsteady ow elds. Additionally, Eq. (2.1) also includes contributions from nonlinear gasdynamics to second order as given by ^ ^ the quadratic terms on the right hand side, where the coecients C; D are as follows: 1 ^ (1) Cni = [n2 + i(n i)( 1)] 2i(n i)
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^ (2) Cni ^ (1) Dni ^ (2) Dni
= = =
1 [n2 i(n + i)( 1)] i(n + i) 1 2 [n 2i(n i)] 4 1 2 [n + 2i(n + i)] 2
^ The parameters n and n in Eq. (2.1) are dened as ^ ^ n = n =!1 ; n = n =!1 ^ where !1 is the natural frequency of the rst acoustic mode. For a cylindrical chamber of L=D = 11:8, the rst mode frequency, !1 , is 5654:86 rad/s, and typical values for the linear growth rates, n , and frequency shifts, n , are as given in Table 1. It can be seen from Table 1 that the modes are generally lightly damped and have only small frequency shifts, which means that the shifted modal frequencies remain appoximately integral multiples of the shifted primary mode frequency. It may also be noticed that the oscillators in Eq. (2.1) are linearly uncoupled, but are coupled through the nonlinear gasdynamic terms. In particular, it will be seen later that the quadratic ^ ^ terms on the right hand side of Eq. (2.1) with coecients C (1) and D(1) ensure that the set of oscillators is resonantly coupled. For a set of resonantly coupled, lightly damped, nonlinear oscillators as in Eq. (2.1), it is not immediately obvious as to which modes aect the stability of a particular mode. Therefore, the question of how many higher order modes need to be retained for a correct solution of the nth mode instability problem is not easy to answer. Previous numerical results [18, 19] suggest that when too few modes are retained in an analysis, the qualitative predictions of the nonlinear dynamic behavior at instability may be incorrect. At the same time, inclusion of higher order modes beyond a point does not seem to have a signicant inuence on the quantitative accuracy. Both these observations are not surprising, but `How few (modes) is too few?' is a question that has not received a satisfactory answer to date. Table 1. Data for parameters n and n . Mode 1 2 3 4 5 6 n , 1/s Free 324:8 583:6 889:4 1262:7 1500:0 n , rad/s 12:9 46:8 29:3 131:0 280:0 300:0 2.1. Energy Transfer. Looking at Eq. (2.1), it is clear that in the absence of the second order gasdynamic terms on the right hand side, the individual modes behave as uncoupled linear oscillators. The coupling, and hence the energy transfer, between the modes is entirely due to the nonlinear gasdynamics. The inuence of the nonlinear terms in the energy transfer process is presented in a concise form in Table 2 for the rst eight modes. Each entry in the second column of Table 2 represents a pair of nonlinear gasdynamic terms that transfer energy to a particular mode from a lower numbered mode, i.e., energy transfer up the mode numbers from lower to higher modes. The third column, on the other hand, lists the terms that cause reverse energy transfer, i.e., from higher mode numbers to the lower ones. For instance, in the row for mode number 2, a term `13' implies that the second mode is excited by terms of the form 1 3 and _1 _3 . The term `13' represents a reverse transfer of ^ ^ energy from the third mode to the second mode. It can be seen that terms with C (1) and D(1) as coecients ^ (2) and D(2) as coecients. ^ appear in the second column of Table 2, while the third column consists of terms with C Table 2. Inter-modal energy transfers. Energy transfer up the modes Reverse energy transfer 12, 23, 34, 45, 56, 67, 78 11 13, 24, 35, 46, 57, 68 12, 21 14, 25, 36, 47, 58 13, 22, 31 15, 26, 37, 48 14, 23, 32, 41 16, 27, 38 15, 24, 33, 42, 51 17, 28 16, 25, 34, 43, 52, 61 18 17, 26, 35, 44, 53, 62, 71
Mode number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
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A look down the second column of Table 2 shows that every term in the energy transfer up the modes acts as a near-resonant excitation. For instance, consider the rst mode to be oscillating at its (shifted) natural s frequency !1 , and recall that the (shifted) natural frequencies of the higher modes are approximately integral s multiples of that of the rst mode. Then, the terms `11' will excite the second mode at exactly 2!1 , which is approximately equal to its (shifted) natural frequency. Likewise, terms like `12' and `21' will excite the third mode s at a frequency 3!1 , which will nearly resonate with its (shifted) natural frequency, and so on. Hence, the modes in Eq. (2.1) represent a set of resonantly coupled oscillators. In contrast, the reverse energy transfer terms in the third column of Table 2 typically excite the modes at frequencies much higher than their resonant frequency, and hence contribute little to the overall modal amplitudes, except for the terms in boldface. The boldface terms represent parametric excitations which can alter the dynamics of the modes, in contrast to the other terms which act as external forcings that can merely contribute to the modal amplitude at a particular frequency. When the boldfaced terms are taken to the left hand side of the respective oscillator equation in Eq. (2.1), they can be seen to alter the frequency and damping of the modes, and thus, they can change the qualitative dynamical behavior. This can be clearly seen, for example, by writing the dynamical equation for the rst mode with the parametric excitations moved to the left hand side as follows: ^ ^ (2) _ _ ^ (2) 1 + [2^ 1 + C 2 ]1 + [(1 21 ) + D 2 ]1 = [other RHS terms] (2.2)
11 11
^ (2) The term involving C11 represents a reverse transfer of energy from the second to the rst mode that could potentially destabilize the rst mode. The eect of the other boldface terms in Table 2 can be similarly interpreted as a change in the damping and frequency of the oscillator equation in which they appear. 2.2. Modal Truncation. We are now in a position to answer the question of how many modes need to be retained in an analysis to obtain qualitatively correct results for an nth mode instability. Consider the case where the rst mode goes linearly unstable and begins oscillating at a frequency (which may be slightly difs ferent from its shifted natural frequency !1 due to nonlinear eects). Energy is then transferred to the second mode, which is resonantly excited by the terms `11' and set into oscillation at a frequency of 2. A part of the energy from the second mode is reverse transferred to the rst mode due to the boldfaced `12' terms in Table 2. Thus, the dynamics of the rst mode is nonlinearly coupled to that of the second mode, and it is necessary to consider the rst and second mode oscillators coupled together. However, since the parametric excitation terms `12' can signicantly alter the dynamics of the rst mode, it is important that they are correctly represented. When the third and higher modes are neglected, the second mode cannot transfer energy up the mode numbers as per the terms in the second column of Table 2. Instead, it is forced to reverse transfer part of this energy to the rst mode, due to which the parametric excitations are larger than they ought to be, and the resulting dynamics may show large-amplitude limit cycles that are spurious. Such spurious limit cycles were observed, but could not be explained, in the two-mode continuation results of Jahnke and Culick [18], and, previously, in the two-mode analytical results reported by Awad and Culick [12], and by Paparizos and Culick [13]. Hence, the modal truncation should be such that all signicant energy transfers up the modes are accommodated. This requires that all modes that directly receive energy from modes 1 and 2, individually or collectively, should be represented in the truncated set of equations. It is seen from Table 2 that direct energy transfer from modes 1 and 2 to the higher modes occurs through the terms `12' and `21' to the third mode, and through the term `22' to the fourth mode. All other energy transfers to the higher modes are indirect in the sense that they require the participation of the rst/second mode and another higher mode. Thus, in a rst mode instability, the third and fourth modes play an important role as energy sinks and must be included in the modal truncation, even though their direct inuence on the dynamics of the rst mode is not signicant. In summary, the truncated set of equations for correct qualitative analysis of a rst mode instability should contain at least four modes | the unstable mode (mode 1), the coupled modes (mode 2), and the energy sinks (modes 3 and 4). This argument can be easily extended to determine the minimum order of the modal truncation for analysis of an nth mode instability. For example, in case of a second mode instability, it can be shown that the modal truncation must retain at least the rst eight modes. Continuation results for rst and second mode instability have been reported in [18, 19, 22], where upto sixteen modes have been retained. Examination of these results conrms that computations for rst mode instability with a modal truncation that did not retain at least four modes were qualitatively incorrect. Similarly, second mode instability computations that retained fewer than eight modes are seen to be qualitatively inconsistent. In the
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following sections of this paper, we shall examine the rst mode instability problem with a four-mode truncation. In particular, we shall be interested in conditions under which triggered limit cycles occur. 3. Triggered Limit Cycles The set of coupled acoustic oscillators in Eq. (2.1) can be seen to have an equilibrium state where each n = 0, i.e., none of the acoustic modes are excited. Since the oscillators are all linearly decoupled, the linear damping coecient for each mode, n , determines whether or not that particular mode is linearly stable. When each ^ n is negative, then the equilibrium state of the set of acoustic oscillators is linearly stable. In that case, small ^ perturbations from the equilibrium state damp out with time, and the system of oscillators tends to return to its equilibrium state. Combustion instability occurs when one of the modes gets undamped, i.e., the corresponding n changes sign from negative to positive. For positive n , the equilibrium state is linearly unstable, and small ^ ^ perturbations in the acoustic mode amplitudes initially grow with time. Nonlinear eects then become important and the modal amplitudes eventually settle down to a periodic oscillation called a limit cycle. Thus, given a model for the nonlinear dynamics of the acoustic waves, such as that in Eq. (2.1), one needs to predict the amplitude and frequency of the limit cycle oscillations at onset of combustion instability. This is easily done by using a continuation and bifurcation software such as AUTO97 [28]. Consider the rst mode instability problem with a four-mode truncation of the set of oscillators in Eq. (2.1), where the only nonlinear terms are due to second order gasdynamics. Equilibrium states and limit cycles for this case have been computed for varying values of rst mode damping parameter 1 using the data in Table 1. Results are obtained for the amplitudes of the rst ^ four modes and, in case of limit cycles, also the time period of the oscillation. Of these, the rst mode amplitude is plotted in Fig. 1 (plots for the other modal amplitudes are qualitatively similar) over a range of values of the parameter 1 . Figure 1 shows that the zero-amplitude equilibrium is linearly stable for 1 < 0 and becomes ^ ^ unstable for 1 > 0, with onset of instability occuring at 1 = 0. Stable limit cycles emerge at the critical point ^ ^ 1 = 0, which is called a supercritical Hopf bifurcation point. For any negative value of 1 , the only stable ^ ^ solution is the zero-amplitude equilibrium, and the acoustic waves tend to damp out, no matter how large the initial perturbation. Thus, the coupled oscillator model with second order gasdynamics alone shows only linear instability.
Figure 1. Stable limit cycles at a supercritical Hopf bifurcation for a rst mode instability with second order gasdynamics alone (full line | stable equilibrium, dashed line | unstable equilibrium, lled circle | stable limit cycle, lled square | Hopf bifurcation). Solid propellant rockets, as discussed earlier, have been known to show both linear and nonlinear or triggered instability. Examples of triggered instability are shown in the schematic bifurcation diagrams in Fig. 2, where x is a variable and is a parameter. In each of the diagrams in Fig. 2, there is a range of values of the parameter for which a stable equilibrium state co-exists with a stable limit cycle. For any parameter value in this range, small perturbations in x from the equilibrium state will tend to decay with time, but for larger perturbations,
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the system may show stable limit cycle oscillations. That is, though the equilibrium state is linearly stable, the system could be pulsed or triggered into limit cycle behavior. These stable limit cycles are called triggered limit cycles. The triggered limit cycles in Fig. 2 are qualitatively dierent from the stable limit cycles in Fig. 1 in two respects: 1) Triggered limit cycles in Fig. 2 exist to the left of the Hopf bifurcation point that signies onset of (linear) combustion instability, whereas the stable limit cycles in Fig. 1 occur only for parameter values to the right of the Hopf bifurcation. 2) Moving along the parameter axis from left to right, the triggered limit cycles in Fig. 2 begin abruptly with a nite non-zero amplitude at a fold bifurcation, as against the stable limit cycles in Fig. 1 whose amplitude starts from zero at the Hopf bifurcation point. Triggered limit cycles are, therefore, also called large-amplitude limit cycles in the literature [25, 26, 27]. The onset of triggered limit cycles at a fold bifurcation can be considered to be a nonlinear combustion instability phenomenon. Thus, with increasing values of the parameter , the systems in Fig. 2 rst show a nonlinear combustion instability at a fold bifurcation, and then a linear combustion instability at a Hopf bifurcation.
Figure 2. Triggered limit cycles at (a) subcritical Hopf bifurcation, and (b) supercritical Hopf bifurcation (full line | stable equilibrium, dashed line | unstable equilibrium, lled circle | stable limit cycle, empty circle | unstable limit cycle, lled square | Hopf bifurcation, empty square | fold bifurcation). Triggered limit cycles can be a disquieting phenomenon due to the sudden increase in the amplitudes of the acoustic modes. Moreover, the phenomenon is worrisome because triggered instability could occur even when linearly stable operating conditions have been ensured. Hence, there is a need to develop models that can faithfully capture the qualitative dynamics of triggered limit cycles in combustion chambers. Unfortunately, the coupled acoustic oscillator model in Eq. (2.1), from past experience and as seen in Fig. 1, does not seem to accommodate triggered limit cycles, but this has never been denitely established. We can now explain the lack of triggered limit cycles in the oscillator model of Eq. (2.1) by comparing the inuence of the second order gasdynamic nonlinearities with nonlinear terms that are known to cause triggering in coupled oscillator systems. There are two known mechanisms for generation of triggered limit cycles in systems of resonantly coupled oscillators. 1. Nonlinear damping terms of the form jf (n )jn or jf (n )jn have been shown to produce triggered limit _ _ _ cycles with either subcritical or supercritical Hopf bifurcations, as sketched in Fig. 2 [26]. 2. Parametric excitation terms of the form c2n n or c2n n are also known to be able to create a subcritical _ _ _ Hopf bifurcation and triggered limit cycles, as pictured in Fig. 2(a), depending on the sign of the coecient c, i.e., c < 0 for triggering, and c > 0 for non-triggering [27]. Examining the nonlinear terms in the equation for the rst acoustic mode, which is reproduced below from Eq. (2.2), ^ ^ _ _ ^ 1 + [2^ 1 + C11 2 ]1 + [(1 21 ) + D11 2 ]1 = [other RHS terms]
(2) (2)
(3.3)
(2)
^ _ _ it can be observed that there are no nonlinear damping terms, but the second order gasdynamic term C11 2 1 does indeed act as a parametric excitation of the desired form as listed in 2. above. (The other parametric excitation ^ (2) term D11 2 1 is clearly not of the desired form.) However, on using the expressions following Eq. (2.1), the
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^ (2) coecient C11 can be evaluated to be ^ (2) _ _ which is usually positive, where is the ratio of specic heats. The term C11 2 1 , thus, turns out to be a parametric excitation of the non-triggering type. It follows that second order gasdynamic nonlinearities, as they exist, are incapable of inducing triggered limit cycles. As an academic exercise, one may choose an arbitrary non^ (2) physical value of that makes the coecient C11 negative; then, triggered limit cycles can indeed be observed [29]. In summary, triggered limit cycles observed in solid propellant rockets cannot be explained by modeling the second order gasdynamic nonlinearities alone. The most promising source for the triggering mechanism then appears to be nonlinear combustion. The approximate formulation of Eq. (2.1) already accounts for contributions from linear combustion processes. Nonlinear combustion phenomena can be included in the coupled oscillator system of Eq. (2.1) by introducing additional nc terms Fn representing pressure and velocity coupling eects. The modal equations for the set of coupled oscillators then appear as n1 X ^ ^ (1) ^ (1) _ _ n 2^ n n + n(n 2n )n = _ Cni i ni + Dni i ni
i=1 1 X (2) nc ^ (2) ^ _ _ Cni i n+i + Dni i n+i + Fn i=1
^ (2) C11 = (3 2)=2
(3.4)
where n is again the amplitude of the nth acoustic mode. Culick et al [19] and Burnley [22] considered the nonlinear pressure coupling terms in the Levine-Baum model as a possible candidate for the creation of triggered limit cycles. They observed that the nonlinear pressure coupling terms did indeed cause triggering, but the required values of the coecients of these terms turned out to be unrealistically large. Their observations can now be explained by noting that the nonlinear pressure coupling terms in the Levine-Baum model are in fact second order parametric excitation terms with a negative coecient (see Eq. (33) of Culick et al [19]), and, hence, of the type that can cause triggering. Then, for a rst mode instability problem with second order gasdynamics and nonlinear pressure coupling, the parametric excitation terms in the equation for the rst acoustic mode appear pc pc ^ (2) as (C11 + C1 )2 1 , where C1 is the coecient of the pressure coupling term. Now, the combined coecient _ _ pc pc ^ (2) (C11 + C1 ) is required to be negative for triggering to occur, and although C1 is known to be negative, it clearly (2) pc ^ needs to be large enough to overcome the positive value due to C11 . Unfortunately, for reasonable values of C1 , the combined coecient is still positive, and, as a result, the nonlinear pressure coupling model does not lead to triggering. This leaves us to consider velocity coupling models as a possible candidate to explain the occurrence of triggered instability. 4. Velocity Coupling Models
nc vc Levine and Baum [17] suggested a velocity coupling function of the form Fn = f (n )n , with f (n ) = Cn jn j, _ _ _ _ to model the nonlinear combustion response to an acoustic velocity parallel to the burning surface. The equation for the rst acoustic mode, with second order gasdynamics and the Levine-Baum velocity coupling model, is then of the form vc ^ ^ (2) _ ^ (2) 1 + [2^ 1 + C 2 + C1 j1 j]1 + [(1 21 ) + D 2 ]1 = [other RHS terms] _ _ (4.5) 11 11
The velocity coupling function in Eq. (4.5) represents a nonlinear damping mechanism, and can, therefore, be expected to create triggered limit cycles at onset of rst mode combustion instability. This is conrmed by computing equilibrium points and limit cycles for a four-mode truncation of the coupled oscillator system Eq. (3.4) for the data in Table 1. The velocity coupling function in the equation for the rst acoustic mode is taken as vc shown in Eq. (4.5) with C1 = 0:2. Results for the rst mode amplitude are plotted in Fig. 3 for varying values of the parameter 1 . Triggered limit cycles are clearly seen in Fig. 3 at a subcritical Hopf bifurcation, similar to that ^ sketched in the schematic bifurcation diagram of Fig. 2(a). Thus, the Levine-Baum velocity coupling model along with the second order gasdynamic nonlinearities is adequate to capture triggered limit cycles in solid propellant combustion systems. However, from a qualitative point of view, the dynamics represented by the bifurcation diagram in Fig. 3 is not entirely satisfactory. This is because the stable triggered limit cycles terminate at some positive value of 1 beyond which there are no stable equilibrium or limit cycle solutions. This implies that, ^
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where there are no stable solutions, the slightest perturbation will cause the modal amplitudes to eventually grow to innity. Such dynamical behavior is clearly non-physical and must be eliminated.
Figure 3. Triggered limit cycles at a subcritical Hopf bifurcation for a rst mode instability with second order gasdynamics and the Levine-Baum velocity coupling function (full line | stable equilibrium, dashed line | unstable equilibrium, lled circle | stable limit cycle, empty circle | unstable limit cycle, lled square | Hopf bifurcation). Levine and Baum [17] also suggested that threshold eects that had been observed experimentally be incorporated in the velocity coupling function. Burnley and Culick [21] modied the Levine-Baum velocity coupling function by introducing a dead zone to obtain an ad hoc velocity coupling function with a threshold, as follows: f (1 ) _ = 0; j1 j < j1 j _ _t vc f (1 ) = C1 j1 1 j; j1 j j1 j _ _ _t _ _t (4.6)
_ where 1 is the threshold value of 1 . Computation of equilibrium and limit cycle solutions is carried out as _t before, but with the Burnley-Culick velocity coupling function in Eq. (4.6) instead of the Levine-Baum model. vc vc The parameter C1 in Eq. (4.6) is retained unchanged, i.e., C1 = 0:2, and a threshold value of 1 = 0:02 is _t chosen. A plot of the rst mode amplitude for this case with varying values of the parameter 1 is shown in ^ Fig. 4, where triggered limit cycles of the form sketched in Fig. 2(b) may be observed at a supercritical Hopf bifurcation. However, it is known that functions f (1 ) that are approximately quadratic in shape, e.g., the Levine_ Baum function, show triggered limit cycles of the subcritical type, while those that are approximately quartic (fourth-order), like the Burnley-Culick function, show triggered limit cycles of the supercritical type [26]. It is not dicult to come up with velocity coupling models with no threshold, but with an approximately quartic function f (1 ), that also produce triggered limit cycles of the supercritical type as in Fig. 4 [30]. Thus, the change from _ subcritical triggering in Fig. 3 to supercritical triggering in Fig. 4 cannot be attributed to the threshold eect in the Burnley-Culick velocity coupling function. Besides, the non-physical dynamical behavior seen over a range of positive values of 1 in Fig. 3 persists in Fig. 4 as well. ^ To resolve this issue, we go back to the bifurcation diagram of Fig. 3 and the Levine-Baum velocity coupling model. It is clear that the qualitative dynamics of triggered limit cycles at onset of rst mode combustion instability at the subcritical Hopf bifurcation is adequately captured in Fig. 3. This means that the form of the Levine-Baum velocity coupling function is appropriate for small 1 , i.e., near the region of onset of instability. The non-physical _ dynamics in Fig. 3 occurs for larger values of 1 and 1 , which implies that the form of the Levine-Baum velocity _ coupling model requires to be corrected for large 1 , without aecting its shape in the neighborhood of 1 = 0. _ _ The lowest order correction term to the Levine-Baum function which meets these requirements is a quadratic term with value zero at 1 = 0, slope zero at 1 = 0, and a magnitude that subtracts from the value of the _ _ function for large 1 . The new velocity coupling function, with such a quadratic term included, can be expressed _ as
vc vc _ _ f (1 ) = C1 j1 j D1 j1 j2 _
(4.7)
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Figure 4. Triggered limit cycles at a supercritical Hopf bifurcation for a rst mode instability with second order gasdynamics and the Burnley-Culick threshold velocity coupling function (full line | stable equilibrium, dashed line | unstable equilibrium, lled circle | stable limit cycle, empty circle | unstable limit cycle, lled square | Hopf bifurcation).
vc vc For a particular choice of the coecients, C1 = 0:2 and D1 = 0:8, the shape of the new velocity coupling function appears as plotted in Fig. 5. Surprisingly, the nonlinear function in Fig. 5 naturally shows a threshold character, but one that is quite dierent from the Burnley-Culick function. Computations are now carried out for equilibrium solutions and limit cycle amplitudes under identical conditions as was done for Fig. 3, but with the new velocity coupling function in Eq. (4.7) instead of the Levine-Baum model. Results for the rst mode amplitude with varying parameter 1 are shown in Fig. 6. As expected, the subcritical Hopf bifurcation in Fig. 6 ^ is identical to that in Fig. 3, and the qualitative dynamics of the triggered limit cycles in the vicinity of the Hopf bifurcation point, i.e., for small 1 and 1 , remains unchanged. However, the stable limit cycles persist for all _ positive values of the parameter 1 , and the non-physical dynamical behavior in Fig. 3 is, therefore, eliminated ^ in Fig. 6. Thus, the new velocity coupling function in Fig. 5 provides a satisfactory picture of the qualitative dynamics of the triggered limit cycles created at onset of combustion instability. In addition, the new velocity coupling function that is derived from dynamical considerations naturally satises the physical requirement of having a threshold character.
Figure 5. The form of the velocity coupling function obtained by correcting the Levine-Baum function with a suitable quadratic term.
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Figure 6. Triggered limit cycles at a subcritical Hopf bifurcation for a rst mode instability with second order gasdynamics and the threshold velocity coupling function in Fig. 5 (full line | stable equilibrium, dashed line | unstable equilibrium, lled circle | stable limit cycle, empty circle | unstable limit cycle, lled square | Hopf bifurcation). 5. Conclusions Several questions regarding the modeling and dynamics of acoustic waves in combustion chambers have been addressed in this paper using the approximate analysis originally developed by Culick. First among these is the question of modal truncation, i.e., how many modes need to be retained in a truncated model of the coupled oscillator equations in order to predict the qualitative dynamics of the acoustic waves correctly. Previous studies of rst and second mode instabilities arbitrarily chose to retain between two and sixteen modes. We have now shown that a rst mode instability requires a minimum of four modes in the modal truncation, while for a second mode instability, one needs to retain at least the rst eight modes. Secondly, it has been widely believed from previous studies that the approximate analysis with only second order gasdynamic nonlinearities could not show triggered limit cycles. This has now been theoretically established by recognizing that second order gasdynamics does not contribute either nonlinear damping or parametric excitation terms in the form required to cause triggered limit cycles. Finally, nonlinear combustion mechanisms for triggering based on pressure and velocity coupling models have been studied. Results from a previous study which suggested that pressure coupling does not lead to triggering have now been explained. Velocity coupling models have been shown to induce triggered instability due to a nonlinear damping mechanism. Velocity coupling models used in the past have been examined, and a new velocity coupling function has been derived that captures the qualitative dynamics at onset of triggered instability. Interestingly, our velocity coupling function naturally shows a threshold nature unlike previous velocity coupling models that had an articially imposed threshold character. 6. Acknowledgments This work was supported in part by the California Institute of Technology; partly by the Caltech Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative under Grant No. N00014-95-1-1338 (Dr. Judah Goldwasser, Program Manager); partly by the Department of Energy Advanced Gas Turbine Systems Research (AGTSR) Program under Subcontract No. 98-02-SR072 (Dr. Larry Golan, Program Manager); and partly by the Air Force Oce of Scientic Research (AFOSR) under Grant No. F49620-99-1-0118 (Dr. Mitat Birkan, Program Manager).
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Bibliography
[1] Chu, B.-T., and Kovasznay, L.S.G., \Nonlinear Interactions in a Viscous Heat-Conducting Compressible Gas," Journal of Fluid Mechanics, Vol. 3, No. 5, 1957, pp. 494-512. [2] Baum, J.D., Levine, J.N., and Lovine, R.L., \Pulse Triggered Nonlinear Combustion Instability in Solid Rocket Motors," AIAA Journal, Vol. 22, No. 10, 1984, pp. 1413-1419. [3] Baum, J.D., Levine, J.N., and Lovine, R.L., \Pulsed Instability in Rocket Motors: A Comparision Between Predictions and Experiments," Journal of Propulsion and Power, Vol. 4, No. 4, 1988, pp. 308-316. [4] Lieuwen, T.C,, \Experimental Investigation of Limit Cycle Oscillations in an Unstable Gas Turbine Combustor," Journal of Propulsion and Power, Vol. 18, No. 1, 2002, pp. 61-67. [5] Flandro, G.A., \Eects of Vorticity on Rocket Combustion Stability," Journal of Propulsion and Power, Vol. 11, No. 4, 1995, pp. 607-625. [6] Garcia-Schafer, J.E., and Linan, A., \Longitudinal Acoustic Instabilities in Slender Solid Propellant Rockets: Linear Analysis," Journal of Fluid Mechanics, Vol. 437, 2001, pp. 229-254. [7] Culick, F.E.C., \Some Recent Results for Nonlinear Acoustics in Combustion Chambers," AIAA Journal, Vol. 32, No. 1, 1994, pp. 146-169. [8] Culick, F.E.C., \Combustion Instabilities in Propulsion Systems," Unsteady Combustion, F.E.C. Culick et al (eds.), Kluwer Academic Publishers, Netherlands, 1996, pp. 173-241. [9] Culick, F.E.C., \Nonlinear Growth and Limiting Amplitude of Acoustic Oscillators in Combustion Chambers," Combustion Science and Technology, Vol. 3, No. 1, 1971, pp. 1-16. [10] Culick, F.E.C., \Nonlinear Behavior of Acoustic Waves in Combustion Chambers, Parts I and II," Acta Astronautica, Vol. 3, 1976, pp. 714-757. [11] Culick, F.E.C., and Yang, V., \Prediction of the Stability of Unsteady Motions in Solid Propellant Rocket Motors," Nonsteady Burning and Combustion Stability of Solid Propellants, L. de Luca, E.W. Price, and M. Summereld (eds.), AIAA, Washington, 1992. [12] Awad, E., and Culick, F.E.C., \On the Existence and Stability of Limit Cycles for Longitudinal Acoustic Modes in a Combustion Chamber," Combustion Science and Technology, Vol. 46, No. 6, 1986, pp. 195-222. [13] Paparizos, L.G., and Culick, F.E.C., \The Two-Mode Approximation to Nonlinear Acoustics in Combustion Chambers, I. Exact Solution for Second Order Acoustics," Combustion Science and Technology, Vol 65, 1989, pp. 39-65. [14] Yang, V., Kim, S.I., and Culick, F.E.C., \Triggering of Longitudinal Pressure Oscillations in Combustion Chambers, I: Nonlinear Gasdynamics," Combustion Science and Technology, Vol. 72, No. 5, 1990, pp. 183-214. [15] Zinn, B.T., \A Theoretical Study of Nonlinear Combustion Instability in Liquid Propellant Rocket Engines," AIAA Journal, Vol. 6, No. 10, 1968, pp. 1966-1972. [16] Culick, F.E.C., \Stability of Longitudinal Oscillations with Pressure and Velocity Coupling in a Solid Propellant Rocket," Combustion Science and Technology, Vol. 2, No. 4, 1970, pp. 179-201. [17] Levine, J.N., and Baum, J.D., \A Numerical Study of Nonlinear Instability Phenomena in Solid Rocket Motors," AIAA Journal, Vol. 21, No. 4, 1983, pp. 557-564. [18] Jahnke, C.C., and Culick, F.E.C., \Application of Dynamical Systems Theory to Nonlinear Combustion Instabilities," Journal of Propulsion and Power, Vol. 10, No. 4, 1994, pp. 508-517. [19] Culick, F.E.C., Burnley, V., and Swenson, G., \Pulsed Instabilities in Solid Propellant Rockets," Journal of Propulsion and Power, Vol. 11, No. 4, 1995, pp. 657-665. [20] Ma, Y., van Moorhem, W.K., and Shorthill, R.W., \Experimental Investigation of Velocity Coupling in Combustion Instability," Journal of Propulsion and Power, Vol. 7, No. 5, 1991, pp. 692-699. [21] Burnley, V.S., and Culick, F.E.C., \Inuence of Random Excitations on Acoustic Instabilities in Combustion Chambers," AIAA Journal, Vol. 38, No. 8, 2000, pp. 1403-1410. [22] Burnley, V.S., \Nonlinear Combustion Instabilities and Stochastic Sources," Ph. D. Thesis, California Inst. of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 1996. [23] Poinsot, T., Bourienne, F., Candel, S.H., and Esposito, E., \Suppression of Combustion Instabilities by Active Control," Journal of Propulsion and Power, Vol. 5, No. 1, 1989, pp. 14-20. [24] McManus, K.R., Poinsot, T., and Candel, S.M., \A Review of Active Control of Combustion Instabilities," Progress in Energy and Combustion Science, Vol. 19, 1993, pp. 1-29. [25] Ananthkrishnan, N., and Sudhakar, K., \Characterization of Periodic Motions in Aircraft Lateral Dynamics," Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics, Vol. 19, No. 3, 1996, pp. 680-685. [26] Ananthkrishnan, N., Sudhakar, K., Sudershan, S., and Agarwal, A., \Application of Secondary Bifurcations to Large Amplitude Limit Cycles in Mechanical Systems," Journal of Sound and Vibration, Vol. 215, No. 1, 1998, pp. 183-188.
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[27] Ananthkrishnan, N., Sudershan, S., Sudhakar, K., and Verma, A., \Large Amplitude Limit Cycles in Resonantly Coupled Oscillators," Journal of Sound and Vibration, Vol. 231, No. 5, 2000, pp. 1377-1382. [28] Doedel, E.J., Wang, X.J., Fairgrieve, T.F., Champneys, A.R., Kuznetsov, Y.A., and Sandstede, B., \AUTO97: Continuation and Bifurcation Software for Ordinary Dierential Equations (with HomCont)," California Inst. of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 1998. [29] Ananthkrishnan, N., \Qualitative Dynamics of Nonlinear Acoustic Waves in a Combustion Chamber, I: Modal Truncation and Triggering," Guggenheim Jet Propulsion Center Documents on Active Control of Combustion Instabilities, CI 00-03, California Inst. of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 2000. [30] Ananthkrishnan, N., \Qualitative Dynamics of Nonlinear Acoustic Waves in a Combustion Chamber, III: Velocity Coupling Models," Guggenheim Jet Propulsion Center Documents on Active Control of Combustion Instabilities, CI 01-01, California Inst. of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 2001.
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REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE

1. Recipients Reference 2. Originators References 3. Further Reference 4. Security Classification of Document
RTO-EN-023 AC/323(AVT-096)TP/70
5. Originator
ISBN 92-837-1103-3
UNCLASSIFIED/ UNLIMITED
Research and Technology Organisation North Atlantic Treaty Organisation BP 25, F-92201 Neuilly-sur-Seine Cedex, France Internal Aerodynamics in Solid Rocket Propulsion
6. Title
7. Presented at/Sponsored by
The Applied Vehicle Technology Panel (AVT) and the von Krmn Institute for Fluid Dynamics (VKI), in support of a RTO/VKI Special Course presented on 27-31 May 2002 in Rhode-Saint-Gense, Belgium.
8. Author(s)/Editor(s) 9. Date
Multiple
10. Authors/Editors Address
January 2004
11. Pages
Multiple
12. Distribution Statement
468 There are no restrictions on the distribution of this document. Information about the availability of this and other RTO unclassified publications is given on the back cover. Numerical modeling Performance Reduced costs Solid rocket Space launchers Tactical rockets Two-phase flow Vortex shedding
13. Keywords/Descriptors
Boosters for launch vehicles Combustion instabilities Combustion of metal particulates Combustion of solid propellants Flow/structural interactions Internal aerodynamics Internal flow dynamics Military rockets
14. Abstract
These RTO-AVT/VKI Special Course notes provide the state of the art in internal aerodynamics in solid rocket propulsion, in a way accessible to attendees coming from both academic and industrial areas. Two families of solid motors can be identified: tactical rockets and large boosters for launch vehicles. The military rockets are subjected to combustion instabilities while vortex shedding drives the instabilities in the large boosters. After an overview of the motor internal flow dynamics, combustion of solid propellants and metal particulates were presented. Numerical modeling of internal flow aerodynamic, two-phase flow and flow/structural interactions were addressed, before focusing on the motor flow and combustion instabilities.
RTO-EN-023
RTO-EN-023
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ISBN 92-837-1103-3

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NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANISATION

RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY ORGANISATION

RTO EDUCATIONAL NOTES EN-023

Internal Aerodynamics in Solid Rocket Propulsion

Published January 2004

Distribution and Availability on Back Cover

NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANISATION

RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY ORGANISATION

RTO EDUCATIONAL NOTES EN-023

Internal Aerodynamics in Solid Rocket Propulsion

The Research and Technology Organisation (RTO) of NATO

AVT HFM IST SAS SCI SET

NMSG NATO Modelling and Simulation Group

Internal Aerodynamics in Solid Rocket Propulsion

Larodynamique interne de la propulsion par moteurs-fuses propergols solides

Paper not available at the time of publishing.

Introduction to Solid Rocket Propulsion

The Basic Solid Rocket Motor

A solid propellant rocket is formed by four main components (fig. 1):

Figure 1: Basic Solid Rocket Motor.

Figure 2: Solid Propellant Rocket Motor.

g o is the reference gravity (9,806 m.s-2).

where po is the pressure in the combustion chamber (Pa ) ,

Ac is the nozzle throat area ( m 2 ) .

where R is the universal gas constant (8,3144 J.mol-1.K-1),

M is the molecular weight of the gas (kg/mole),

To is the gas temperature (K),

is the isentropic exponent (Cp/Cv),

C* 1550 m.s 1 C F 1,68 (adapted nozzle)

Introduction to Solid Rocket Propulsion

A First Approach of Motor Operation

Ab ( K for the german world Klemmung). Ac

Evolution of Parameters According to Time

Figure 3: Injection Conditions on the Combustion Surface.

Mass conservation leads to:

p = 1,78 g.cm 3 , rb = 8mm.s 1 , p = 70atm,

Introduction to Solid Rocket Propulsion

2.0 THE MAIN ISSUES OF SOLID PROPELLANT ROCKET MOTOR

Introduction to Solid Rocket Propulsion 2.1.2 Unsteady Regimes

Figure 4: The Different Operation Regimes.

Introduction to Solid Rocket Propulsion

3.0 IMPORTANCE AND NECESSITY OF SOPHISTICATED AERODYNAMIC PREDICTION

Introduction to Solid Rocket Propulsion

Figure 5: Grain Geometry Evolution.

4.0 APPROACH OF INTERNAL AERODYNAMICS IN SOLID ROCKET PROPULSION BY COMPUTATION

Figure 6: The Nozzleless SRM.

5.0 PHYSICAL OBSTACLES

7.0 SELECTED REFERENCES

Introduction to Solid Rocket Propulsion

Flow-Structural Interaction in Solid Rocket Motors

Flow-Structural Interaction in Solid Rocket Motors

A SIMPLE PHYSICAL MODEL OF GRAIN INSTABILITY

Figure 1: Schematic of Failure Mechanism.

SOLUTION UNPHYSICAL SOLUTION

0 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 c, DIMENSIONLESS, RECIPROCAL STIFFNESS

APPLICATION OF SIMPLE MODEL TO TITAN SRMU

18.8 7.45 0.535 4.72 1.13 0.578 13.2 8.2

Flow-Structural Interaction in Solid Rocket Motors

Wcrit = 9.33 Mg/s