Computational Predictions of the Hypersonic Material Environmental Test System Arc-Jet Facility

The Hypersonic Materials Environmental Test System arc-jet facility located at the NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, is primarily used for the research, development, and evaluation of high-temperature thermal protection systems for hypersonic vehicles and reentry systems. In order to improve testing capabilities and knowledge of the test article environment, a detailed three-dimensional model of the arc-jet nozzle and free-jet portion of the flow field has been developed. The computational fluid dynamics model takes into account non-uniform inflow state profiles at the nozzle inlet as well as catalytic recombination efficiency effects at the probe surface. Results of the numerical simulations are compared to calibrated Pitot pressure and stagnation-point heat flux for three test conditions at low, medium, and high enthalpy. Comparing the results and test data indicates an effectively fully-catalytic copper surface on the heat flux probe of about 10% recombination efficiency and a 2-3 kPa pressure drop from the total pressure measured at the plenum section, prior to the nozzle. With these assumptions, the predictions are within the uncertainty of the stagnation pressure and heat flux measurements. The predicted velocity conditions at the nozzle exit were also compared and showed good agreement with radial and axial velocimetry data.