Numerical Simulation of Ablation for Reentry Vehicles

Abstract

A computer program is developed for numerical simulation of ablation problems, taking into account in-depth pyrolysis; surface recession; nonequilibrium chemistry in the flow of pyrolysis gases through a variable porosity char; and thermal non-equilibrium between the char and the pyrolysis gases. The program provides a general and easy to use interface for coupling with a reacting flow solver and a radiation solver. The program is verified using available analytical solutions for heat conduction in non-receding and receding solids; the program will then be validated using available experimental data.