Numerical investigation of impinging plume under vacuum and realistic nozzle outlet condition

Abstract

During a lunar module landing, the gas extended from the engine nozzle impinges on the lunar surface. A recirculation bubble could form beneath the surface shock wave, which alters the flow pattern close to the surface, thus affecting the surface soil transportation process. This study conducted numerical simulations to investigate the flow characteristics, formation mechanism, and effects of this recirculation bubble on surface soil erosion using direct simulation Monte Carlo method or solving the Navier–Stokes equations. It is found that during the descent, the recirculation zone under the surface shock wave first disappears and then reappears. The shock wave systems in the plume at different lander heights is analyzed, revealing that the formation of the recirculation bubble can be attributed to the total pressure loss due to gas crossing different wave structures. When the lander descends to a close proximity to the lunar surface, the recirculation bubble can even expand into the nozzle. Furthermore, this study investigated the effects of the recirculation bubble on lunar soil transportation by a gas–solid two-phase solver. It is shown that the recirculation bubble at low landing altitude will entrain the lunar dusts and result in a high ejection angle of the latter, thus aggravating the obstruction of surface observation for the safe landing.