Simulation of chemically reactive gas flows around the SARA capsule: effects on the flowfield structure

Rodrigo C. Palharini¹; João Luiz F. Azevedo¹

¹ Instituto de Aeronática e Espaço (DCTA/IAE/ALA)

doi:10.20906/CPS/COB-2015-0163

Resumo

The direct simulation Monte Carlo has been used to study the influence of chemically reactive gas flows around the SARA capsule. In the present investigation, dissociation and exchange reactions was performed using the quantum kinetic chemistry model. This model is solely based on the vibrational states of the colliding molecules and do not require any information about the macroscopic state of simulated molecules. Temperature and density was measured along five different positions normal to the vehicle surface and compared with non-reacting cases. It was found that the chemical reactions promoted a reduction on the temperatures profiles. In addition, during the dissociation process significant amount of atomic oxygen was produced which may lead to an early corrosion of the thermal protection system materials.

Palavras-chave: DSMC; Reentry; Reactive Flows