S & C Thermofluids' CFD and experimental capabilities make it ideally suited to space related design activities. The following areas are typical examples.

1. The company has developed a chemical reaction prediction capability for use with a general purpose CFD package. This system is primarily intended for use in the prediction of rocket motor nozzles and plume flowfields. The software is used to study nozzle performance and heat transfer, plume structure, aerothermal loads arising from impingement, thrust vectoring and exhaust deflection, and ejector arrangements. (Plumes)

2. The company has developed techniques for the prediction of aerothermal loads associated with aerospace vehicles. The techniques allow the specification of complex 3D shapes such as that shown and the prediction of the high speed flow and kinetic heating that occurs over the vehicle.

3. The company’s 20 year experience with general purpose CFD software has gained it expertise in conjugate heat transfer prediction. (Publications). The ability exists to model the combination of convection, conduction and radiation heat transfer typically found in satellites and other space vehicles. A particular project has involved the prediction of the effects of solar load on a structure.

4. Experimental project have included Schlieren and shadowgraph flow visualisation of rocket motor plumes, infra-red signature measurements of radiative heat transfer phenoenon, tests with cryogenic ejector systems, laser sheet flow visualisation, absorption refrigeration cycles.

Resources & Collaboration

The company uses two general purpose CFD packages, PHOENICS (CHAM Ltd) and FLUENT (Fluent Europe Ltd)

Experimental facilities include a Solid Propellant Rocket Firing Rig, a Universal Jet Flow rig rated up to 2000 psig, suitable for modelling inert rocket motor flows, and a small turbojet test rig.

The company acts as a consultancy. Customers include Dstl Farnborough, QinetiQ Fort Halstead, Royal Ordnance, Rolls-Royce and British Aerospace.