Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-2plfb Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-25T05:47:26.341Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

The Theory of Melting Ablation, with Vaporisation, Gas-Phase Chemical Reaction, Surface Pyrolysis, and Transient Effects

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 June 2016

D. B. Spalding*
Affiliation:
*Imperial College of Science and Technology
Get access

Summary

Standard techniques of mass-transfer theory are used for the prediction of ablation rates; the thermodynamic and chemical-kinetic material properties are introduced by way of enthalpy-composition diagrams; the interface condition is given as the root of a single non-linear equation involving material properties. The paper treats both steady ablation and unsteady ablation, the latter by means of a quasi-steady assumption which confines transient effects to the solid phase.

Detailed comparisons are made with the methods of Sutton, Bethe and Adams, and Lees. The formulations of the paper are shown to be equivalent to, but more general than, those of the earlier authors; it is suggested that they are simpler as well. Some improvements over previous practice are recommended in connection with the calculation of the shear stress at the interface.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society. 1961

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Adams, MAC C. Recent Advances in Ablation. American Rocket Society Journal, Vol. 29, No. 9, p. 625, 1959.Google Scholar
2. Bethe, H. A. and Adams, MAC C. A Theory for the Ablation of Glassy Materials. Journal of the AerolSpace Sciences, Vol. 26, No. 6, p. 321, 1959.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
3. Carrier, G. Aerodynamic Heat Transfer to a Melting Body. Space Technology Laboratory Report, No. GM-TM-0165-00268, August 1958.Google Scholar
4. Chilton, T. H. and Colburn, A. P. Mass Transfer (Absorption) Coefficients: Prediction from Data on Heat Transfer in Fluid Friction.Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, Vol. 26, p. 1183, 1934.Google Scholar
5. Lees, L. Similarity Parameters for Surface Melting of a Blunt-Nosed Body in a High- Velocity Gas Stream. American Rocket Society Journal,Vol. 29, p. 345, 1959.Google Scholar
6. Lew, H. G. and Fanucci, J.Ablation of Melting Surfaces. To be published.Google Scholar
7. Nusselt, W. Die Oberlachenkondensation des Wasserdampfes. V.D.I. Zeitschrift, Vol. 60, p. 541, 1916.Google Scholar
8. Roberts, L. On the Melting of a Semi-Infinite Body of Ice Placed in a Hot Stream of Air. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, Vol. 4, Part 5, p. 505, 1958.Google Scholar
9. Spalding, D. B. Heat and Mass Transfer in Aeronautical Engineering. Aeronautical Quarterly. Vol. XI, p. 105, May 1960.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
10. Spalding, D. B. The Prediction of Mass Transfer Rates when Equilibrium Does Not Prevail at the Phase Interface. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol. 2, p. 283, 1961.Google Scholar
11. Spalding, D. B. A Standard Formulation of the Steady Convective Mass-Transfer Problem. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer,Vol. 1, p. 192, 1960.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
12. Spalding, D. B. and Evans, H. L. Mass Transfer through Laminar Boundary Layers. Paper 2, The Velocity Boundary Layer. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol. 2, p. 199, 1961.Google Scholar
13. Spalding, D. B. and Tyler, R. D. Graphical Representation of Thermodynamic Properties of Reacting Two-Phase Mixtures. Conference on Thermodynamic and Transport Properties of Fluids, Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Session 4, Paper 1. 1957.Google Scholar
14. Sutton, G. W. The Hydrodynamics and Heat Conduction of a Melting Surface. Journal of the Aeronautical Sciences, Vol. 25, No. 1, p. 29, 1958.Google Scholar
15. Sutton, G. W. A Comparison of Several Approximate Theories of Melting Ablation. Journal of the AerolSpace Sciences, Vol. 26, p. 397, June 1959.CrossRefGoogle Scholar