Development and Validation of Propellant Detonation and Propagation Modeling Methods Project

Testing of chemical rocket propulsion systems involves the potential for large energy explosions. The ability to predict these blast environments is critical to the safety of the test/launch facility. This project will determine a valid engineering-level approach for predicting cryo-vapor cloud detonations (VCD), which are the true source of the blast wave events. Specifically, the robustness and accuracy of reduced finite-rate chemistry mechanisms will be investigated and compared to more computationally intensive elaborate mechanisms. The validity of these mechanisms in predicting the VCD and its subsequent propagation through complex structures will be studied using the Loci/BLAST and Loci/CHEM Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) tools.

This technology will enable safer rocket propulsion testing for NASA funded missions such as the Space Launch Systems (SL) and COTS programs by providing an improved predictive capability for catastrophic events. This technology will also benefit all future rocket propulsion testing and/or launch systems. This technology may be used by the commercial space industry for ensuring safe unmanned and manned space flight missions. This technology may benefit DOD propulsion testing and/or launch systems. It will also benefit other agencies such as Homeland Security.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 6) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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