Thermodynamic modeling based on a generalized cubic equation of state for kerosene/LOx rocket combustion

Abstract

Based on a generalized cubic equation of state proposed by Cismondi and Mollerup [Fluid Phase Equilib. 232 (2005) 74-89], this study derived formulations for the thermodynamic properties of mixtures that are needed for combustion simulations of liquid rocket engines. The present model was validated thoroughly against reference data provided by NIST in order to assess its validity over a wide range of critical compressibility factors, pressures, and temperatures. The numerical results clearly indicate that the present model is superior in its handling of fluid mixtures with quite different critical compressibility factors, while maintaining the advantages of the cubic equation of state compared to those of the Soave-Redlich-Kwong and Peng-Robinson equations of state. In addition, steady flamelet analysis has been performed to investigate the effects of detailed chemical kinetics, real fluid behavior, and increased pressure on the local flame structures of the kerosene surrogate and liquid oxygen relevant to liquid rocket engines.