Accurate Computations of Arc-Heater Flows Using Two-Equation Turbulence Models

Abstract

A new time marching solver, ARCFLO4, has been developed to analyze the flows in arc heaters. Governing equations are the hyperbolic-type axisymmetric Navier-Stokes equations including Joule heating, radiation, and turbulence models. To investigate the effect of turbulence models, k-e, k-w, and k-w SST turbulence models are introduced into ARCFLO4. Throughout vast numerical calculations of the Aerodynamic Heating Facility and the Interaction Heating Facility at the NASA Ames Research Center, the k-e turbulence model combined with the three-band radiation model exhibited good agreement with experiment data. In addition, it is confirmed that the turbulence effect plays a significant role in determining arc-heater flow physics.