Numerical investigations on heat transfer of supercritical RP-3 flowing in circular tube

Abstract

This study aims to develop a reliable numerical model for predicting the supercritical heat transfer of aviation kerosene RP-3 in a tube under heating conditions, thereby providing a reference for revealing the mechanism behind the experimental phenomena. Based on validation studies between seven turbulence models and experiments, a numerical method using the Yang-Shih turbulence model is proposed. A detailed prediction of the turbulent flow process is obtained, and the heat transfer characteristics of RP-3 are analyzed. The evolution of parameters and properties in axial and radial directions is demonstrated, followed by investigations of the effects of system pressure, fuel inlet temperature, and mass flow rate. The drastic change in the specific heat of the fuel when its temperature is close to the pseudocritical value and the temperature difference between the area near the wall and the center of the tube are the main causes of the enhancement and deterioration of the heat exchange. A higher inlet temperature increases the heat transfer coefficient, but due to its different effects on decreasing the density and the viscosity, it increases the pressure drop. In addition, larger mass flow rates can promote turbulence intensity and heat transfer, but cause a higher pressure drop across the tube.