Scramjet/Ramjet Heat Exchanger Analysis Tool

A ramjet/scramjet heat exchanger design and optimization tool is proposed for rapid analyses of complex thermal cooling systems. In the emerging field of high-speed aerospace, it is necessary that rapid modeling of complex thermal systems be accomplished to enable the trade studies required to optimize the design for weight, cost, and performance. To meet this need, SPIRITECH proposes the development of a ramjet/scramjet heat exchanger design and optimization tool that performs a thermal analysis of the heat exchanger, assesses its structural strength, and optimizes the heat exchanger design to minimize the cooling flow requirement and the heat exchanger weight. Options for the coolant fuel, including various jet fuels and endothermic additives, will be made available so that various fuels may be evaluated. In addition, options for various material properties will also be included. The Phase I effort will focus on developing the thermal and structural models as well as the optimization routine, resulting in a working code. This code will be packaged with a user-friendly interface to simplify its use for large trade studies. The Phase II effort will provide test data for code verification and will incorporate enhancements to improve accuracy and reduce run time.