CFD analysis of transcritical methane in rocket engine cooling channels

► Numerical simulation of real fluid in supercritical pressure and subcritical to supercritical temperature. ► Supercritical pressure methane flow in heated, rectangular channels is investigated for different channel geometries and operating conditions. ► Methane in near-critical condition is found to exhibit a thermal barrier in the channel cross section. ► Channel aspect ratio has an evident influence on heat transfer and pressure loss. ► Operation with transcritical methane enhances the channel aspect ratio influence on heat transfer and pressure loss.