The hydrodynamics in the combustion chamber of a chemical laser has been simulated numerically using a vorticity ? - stream function ? formulation. The flow is similar to that in a cavity when the fluid enters via only one injector and exits through only one tube. A large circulating vortex is formed ; its size depends on the chamber geometry and on the Reynolds number. Both a second order and a fourth order formulation have been used to solve the model equations ; the latter gives more accurate results for low Reynolds numbers but the former converges for a wider range of conditions. Comparison with experimental data has confirmed the validity of the obtained results.

Date Published: 1 February 1991
PDF: 4 pages
Proc. SPIE 1397, 8th Intl Symp on Gas Flow and Chemical Lasers, (1 February 1991); doi: 10.1117/12.25901

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 1397:
8th Intl Symp on Gas Flow and Chemical Lasers
Concepcion Maroto Domingo; Jose M. Orza, Editor(s)