Reactor Network Modeling of Augmentors

Augmentor stability is critical to the operational performance of numerous military systems. Current predictive tools for augmentor performance and stability are based on decades-old empirical correlations that do not provide reliable estimates for advanced augmentor designs. Recent advances in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and advanced combustion diagnostics have provided new insight into the fundamental processes that occur in these flows. Reacting-flow CFD has yet to mature to a level where it can be practically applied as a design tool for this problem, primarily due to computational cost. In this project, we will develop reduced-order models for augmentor stability and performance. Our low-order modeling approach involves a reactor-network type model using Partially Stirred Reactors (PaSR), which can be used to directly model turbulence-chemistry interactions. In its limits, the PaSR behaves like a conventional reactor, the Well-Stirred Reactor(WSR), or Plug-Flow Reactor (PFR). We will use a CFD calculation of the non-reacting flow to predict combustion parameters such as Damköhler number, and use this information to set model parameters within the domain. Experimental data and fully coupled reacting flow CFD results will be used to support the low-order model development and validation.