Computational study of lateral jet interaction in hypersonic thermochemical non-equilibrium flows using nonlinear coupled constitutive relations

Abstract

The present study reports the numerical analyses of lateral jet interaction around a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense-type (THAAD-type) model in hypersonic rarefied flows, with the real gas effect incorporated. The computation approach employed is the recently developed thermochemical non-equilibrium nonlinear coupled constitutive relations (NCCR) model. Regarding the simulation conditions, the flight velocity and height are set to 20 Ma and 80 km, respectively. To disclose the flow mechanism of lateral jet interaction, the complex flowfield characteristics and surface pressure distributions are discussed at length. Additionally, the research explores the impact of two key factors, namely, the jet pressure ratio and the jet Mach number, on the control performance of an in-flight vehicle's reaction control system (RCS). The results demonstrate that the complicated flowfield structures in lateral jet interaction are successfully reproduced by the NCCR model. With an increase in either the jet pressure ratio or the jet Mach number, the force and moment amplification factors decrease, while the absolute value of the normal force coefficient increases. Notably, it is found that the rarefied gas effect captured by the NCCR model against the Navier–Stokes–Fourier solution affects the lateral jet interaction flowfield, e.g., weakening the compressibility of the barrel shock and the expansibility of the Prandtl–Meyer expansion fan, as well as strengthening the jet wraparound effect. Importantly, the rarefied gas effect also exerts a prominent influence on the performance of RCS, with the degree of influence diminishing as the jet Mach number or the jet pressure ratio increases.