Thermal Performance Analysis of LOX/LCH4 Engine Feed Systems Using CFD Modeling
This study examines the thermal management of the Centennial Restartable Oxygen Methane Engine (CROME) feed system under two propellant tank pressure conditions: 33 psi (227.5 kPa) and 100 psi (689.5 kPa), at a constant liquid methane flow rate of 0.9 lbm/s (0.4 kg/s). Using the Eulerian Single-Phas...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Fluids |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2311-5521/10/3/62 |
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| author | Iram Hernandez Salvador Orozco Md Amzad Hossain Ahsan Choudhuri |
| author_facet | Iram Hernandez Salvador Orozco Md Amzad Hossain Ahsan Choudhuri |
| author_sort | Iram Hernandez |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study examines the thermal management of the Centennial Restartable Oxygen Methane Engine (CROME) feed system under two propellant tank pressure conditions: 33 psi (227.5 kPa) and 100 psi (689.5 kPa), at a constant liquid methane flow rate of 0.9 lbm/s (0.4 kg/s). Using the Eulerian Single-Phase (ESP) model, the initial test validated experimental data, showing close agreement in total pressure (experimental: 31 psi; CFD: 33 psi) and temperature measurements (experimental: −287.3 °F and −300 °F; CFD: −299 °F and −294 °F) with deviations of 6.4% and ≤4.1%, respectively. For the second test, a simplified Volume of Fluid (VOF) model was used, adjusted for varying liquid-to-gas volume fractions. The best agreement with experimental data was found with 100% GN2, showing a 3.1 psi pressure rise and a 3.3% error. These findings show the importance of improving thermal management and precision control in cryogenic LOX-LCH4 feedline systems for optimal engine performance. Future research will focus on exploring pressures up to the propellant tank’s maximum rated limit of 400 psi. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-39e65eed1d2a4454a2988b8e7fd054eb |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2311-5521 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Fluids |
| spelling | doaj-art-39e65eed1d2a4454a2988b8e7fd054eb2025-08-20T03:43:11ZengMDPI AGFluids2311-55212025-03-011036210.3390/fluids10030062Thermal Performance Analysis of LOX/LCH4 Engine Feed Systems Using CFD ModelingIram Hernandez0Salvador Orozco1Md Amzad Hossain2Ahsan Choudhuri3Aerospace Center, The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), El Paso, TX 79968, USAAerospace Center, The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), El Paso, TX 79968, USAAerospace Center, The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), El Paso, TX 79968, USAAerospace and Mechanical Engineering Department, The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), El Paso, TX 79968, USAThis study examines the thermal management of the Centennial Restartable Oxygen Methane Engine (CROME) feed system under two propellant tank pressure conditions: 33 psi (227.5 kPa) and 100 psi (689.5 kPa), at a constant liquid methane flow rate of 0.9 lbm/s (0.4 kg/s). Using the Eulerian Single-Phase (ESP) model, the initial test validated experimental data, showing close agreement in total pressure (experimental: 31 psi; CFD: 33 psi) and temperature measurements (experimental: −287.3 °F and −300 °F; CFD: −299 °F and −294 °F) with deviations of 6.4% and ≤4.1%, respectively. For the second test, a simplified Volume of Fluid (VOF) model was used, adjusted for varying liquid-to-gas volume fractions. The best agreement with experimental data was found with 100% GN2, showing a 3.1 psi pressure rise and a 3.3% error. These findings show the importance of improving thermal management and precision control in cryogenic LOX-LCH4 feedline systems for optimal engine performance. Future research will focus on exploring pressures up to the propellant tank’s maximum rated limit of 400 psi.https://www.mdpi.com/2311-5521/10/3/62LOX/LCH4space propulsiondigital modelingcryo-feed systemcomputational analysis |
| spellingShingle | Iram Hernandez Salvador Orozco Md Amzad Hossain Ahsan Choudhuri Thermal Performance Analysis of LOX/LCH4 Engine Feed Systems Using CFD Modeling Fluids LOX/LCH4 space propulsion digital modeling cryo-feed system computational analysis |
| title | Thermal Performance Analysis of LOX/LCH4 Engine Feed Systems Using CFD Modeling |
| title_full | Thermal Performance Analysis of LOX/LCH4 Engine Feed Systems Using CFD Modeling |
| title_fullStr | Thermal Performance Analysis of LOX/LCH4 Engine Feed Systems Using CFD Modeling |
| title_full_unstemmed | Thermal Performance Analysis of LOX/LCH4 Engine Feed Systems Using CFD Modeling |
| title_short | Thermal Performance Analysis of LOX/LCH4 Engine Feed Systems Using CFD Modeling |
| title_sort | thermal performance analysis of lox lch4 engine feed systems using cfd modeling |
| topic | LOX/LCH4 space propulsion digital modeling cryo-feed system computational analysis |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2311-5521/10/3/62 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT iramhernandez thermalperformanceanalysisofloxlch4enginefeedsystemsusingcfdmodeling AT salvadororozco thermalperformanceanalysisofloxlch4enginefeedsystemsusingcfdmodeling AT mdamzadhossain thermalperformanceanalysisofloxlch4enginefeedsystemsusingcfdmodeling AT ahsanchoudhuri thermalperformanceanalysisofloxlch4enginefeedsystemsusingcfdmodeling |