A computational method for combustion in high speed flows

A two-dimensional time-accurate numerical model to simulate complex reacting flowfields in chemical non-equilibrium is presented. The aim of this study is to develop a computational tool which permits the analysis and the easy implementation of combustion phenomena for high speed flows. To construct an efficient numerical tool, while maintaining a reasonable accuracy, a semi-implicit numerical method was selected and verified for a hydrogen–air mixture. The numerical approach is based on a time-dependent, finite volume integration of the governing equations suitably modified for chemical non-equilibrium. The evaluation of the reacting constants based on Gibbs free energy and the Van’t Hoff equation allows a very easy implementation of the chemical model used, regardless of its complexity. Calculations were performed with adeguate temporal and spatial resolution for modeling the physical process for practical calculation. Comparisons with numerical results are used for a verification of the numerical procedure.

► A numerical tool to simulate combustion in supersonic flows is proposed.
► The method is based on a semi-implicit time-dependent integration.
► A complex chemical model for hydrogen–air combustion is used.
► An oblique detonation wave engine model has been used for validation.