Optimizing conventional and unconventional nozzles for increasing the thrust

Abstract

This project arises from the fact nowadays the engineering process is becoming more and more experimental, so the knowledge on design software is very important in order to save money and time. Under these circumstances, new mathematical methods are being applied to design softwares to develop new tools for solving a huge number of design analyses. In this particular case, the study will be done with Fluent, a software based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD), which fundamental basis are the Navier-Stokes equations, that define any single-phase fluid flow. This software will perform a 3 dimensional analysis of conventional and unconventional nozzles which will be designed in Gambit, software that allows building the geometry and mesh of the models that later will be analyzed in Fluent. The final purpose of this project is to optimize the thrust produced by several designs of conventional and unconventional nozzles, compare its performance characteristics and understand and be aware of the effects the heat transfer has over the nozzles; and the needed of cooling techniques to minimize it.