Numerical Evaluation of Heat Transfer Enhancement in Rocket Thrust Chambers by Wall Ribs

Abstract

Heat transfer enhancement due to longitudinal wall ribs inserted in a rocket engine thrust chamber is analyzed by means of a Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes equations solver. A ribbed wall experiment is numerically reproduced to assess the capability of the simplified approach to properly capture the heat transfer enhancement. Then, a parametric analysis on the role of the longitudinal rib height on heat transfer enhancement is made on a sample thrust chamber. Results show the expected heat increase related to the surface increase, and highlight the reduction of efficiency for increasing rib height due to the thermal stratification between ribs.