Contributions of atomization to F-1 engine combustion instabilities

Numerical simulations have been performed to assess the nonlinear, unsteady behavior of fuel jets emanating from an injector in the presence of a transverse (tangential) acoustic wave. Conditions for the simulations have been set to pertain to injector designs used during the development of the F-1 liquid rocket engine. Results indicate that injector designs which were unstable have substantial coupling between the acoustic wave and the natural frequency of oscillation of the fuel column emanating from the orifice. This instability scenario is discussed in the context of other theories offered as explanation for F-1 instabilities. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.