Assessing Turbulence Models on the Simulation of Launch Vehicle Base Heating

Launch vehicles suffer from severe base heating during ascents. To predict launch vehicle base heat flux, the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools are widely used. The selection of the turbulence model determines the numerical simulation results of launch vehicle base heating, which may instruct the thermal protection design for the launch vehicle base. To assess performances, several Reynolds-Averaged turbulence models have been investigated for the base heating simulation based on a four-nozzle launch vehicle model. The finite-rate chemistry model was used for afterburning. The results showed that all the turbulence models have provided nearly identical mean flow properties at the nozzle exit. Menter's baseline (BSL) and shear stress transport (SST) models have estimated the highest collision pressure and have best predicted base heat flux compared to the experiment. The Spalart-Allmaras (SA) model and the renormalization group (RNG) model have performed best in temperature estimation, respectively, in around r/rb=00.2 and r/rb=0.61. The realizable k-ϵ (RKE) model has underestimated the reverse flow and failed to correctly reflect the recirculation in the base region, thus poorly predicted base heating. Among all the investigated turbulence models, the BSL and SST models are more suitable for launch vehicle base heating simulation.