Modeling and CFD Simulation of Regression Rate in Hybrid Rocket Motors

As the research on hybrid rocket motors advances, more accurate tools are needed to estimate performance of system by determining its fundamental parameters. One them is certainly regression rate solid fuel. Unfortunately, it depends many complex physical phenomena and interactions which vary with time, space scale, making task predicting evolution very difficult. To address this issue, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) was employed investigate inner workings a motor develop useful tool help design process contribute understanding problem. By implementing User-Defined Function (UDF) in commercial CFD software, has been possible simulate as function heat flux at fuel surface. The calculation performed solving energy balance solid–fluid interface coupled pyrolysis Arrhenius equation. Validation using literature data from Carmicino Sorge. results generally agree experimental rates within 10% error for HDPE 20% HTPB. A significant discrepancy these two fuels not accounted classical theory exposed.