An Euler-Lagrangian Multiphysics Coupling Framework for Particle-Laden High-Speed Flows

TL;DR

This paper introduces a multi-solver framework combining Euler and Lagrangian methods for high-speed particle-laden flows, enabling flexible, validated simulations of complex thermochemical interactions and surface erosion with uncertainty quantification.

Contribution

It develops a novel multi-solver coupling framework with adaptable data exchange for simulating high-speed particle-laden flows across various conditions.

Findings

Validated framework with supersonic nozzle flow predictions

Accurate hypersonic aerothermal heating simulations

Efficient surface erosion prediction with uncertainty quantification

Abstract

Particle-laden effects in high-speed flows require a coupled Euler and Lagrangian prediction technique with varying fidelity of thermochemical models, depending on the simulation conditions of interest. This requirement makes the development of a conventional monolithic solver challenging to manage the different fidelity of the thermochemical models within a single computational framework. To address this, the present study proposes a multi-solver framework for the coupled Euler-Lagrangian predictions applicable to various particle-laden high-speed flow conditions. Volumetric and surface couplings are established between a particle solver ORACLE (OpenFOAM-based lagRAngian CoupLEr) and a thermochemical nonequilibrium flow solver based on an adaptable data exchange algorithm. The developed framework is then validated by predicting particle-laden supersonic nozzle flows and aerothermal heating around a hypersonic Martian atmospheric entry capsule. Finally, a quasi-1D approximation is proposed in conjunction with a surrogate method to efficiently and accurately predict particle-laden surface erosion, with quantified parametric uncertainty, for hypersonic aerothermal characterization.