• Journal of computational fluids engineering
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.74-84
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• 2007

The flowfield characteristics in a straight rectangular channel have been investigated through a numerical model to analyze the regenerative cooling system that is used in rocket engine cooling. The supercritical hydrogen coolant introduces strong property variations that have a major influence on the developing flow and heat transfer characteristics. Of particular interest is the improved understanding of the physical characteristics of such flows through parametric studies. The approach used is a numerical solution of the full Navier-Stokes equations in the three dimensional form including the arbitrary equation of state and property variations. The present study compares constant and variable property solutions for both laminar and turbulent flow. For laminar flow, the variation of aspect ratio is examined, while for turbulent flow, the effects of variation of channel length and Reynolds number are discussed.