Design Optimization of Rotating Detonation Rocket Engines with High-Fidelity Simulations
Rotating detonation engine rocket engines (RDRE) are a potential new propulsion technology that may provide increased performance, smaller size, and a reduced risk of combustion instability compared with traditional rocket engines. The design space of these engines is large and poorly understood. Experiments, while valuable, can be challenging to instrument in the regions of interest. High-fidelity reacting flow computational fluid dynamics (CFD) can provide a window into how these devices operate and the critical phenomena taking place. This presentation will report on the status of our frontier project, which uses simulations to improve our understanding of how these devices operate and help guide changes to improve their performance. Simulations of these devices are expensive; each simulation requires 2500 – 25000 cores, depending on the resolution, and runs for multiple weeks. This presentation will summarize recent work, including findings on model resolution, chamber shape and size, nozzle design, and injector density.


Distribution A: Approved for public release: distribution is unlimited. AFRL-2025-2307.
IMPACT
AFRL/RQRC has been able to gain critical understanding in RDRE design and operation through large parametric studies. This work is closely aligned with in-house experimental studies, the computational work has guided experimental design for a future flight program.
PRESENTER
Harvazinski, Matthew
matthew.harvazinski.1@spaceforce.mil
661-275-5629
AFRL/RQRC
CO-AUTHOR(S)
Ross, Mathias
mathias.ross.1@us.af.mil
Batista, Armani
armani.batista.ctr@us.af.mil
Gundevia, Rayomand
rayomand.gundevia.ctr@us.af.mil
CATEGORY
Comp Fluid Dynamics
SECONDARY CATEGORY
Mod, Sim & Analysis for Decision Making
SYSTEM(S) USED
Carpenter, Ruth, Narwhal, Nautilus, Blueback, Warhawk, Raider