Application of Advanced Tools in Support of NGLT Technologies

Combustion Research and Flow Technology, Inc., (CRAFT Tech)

Pipersville, PA

Developed technology to simulate cryogenic real fluid flows and related multi-phase phenomena such as cavitation.

• Significant technology development is ability to predict mean performance of cryogenic turbo-pumps and related fluid devices such as valves.
• Product is of direct interest to a variety of aerospace companies in the liquid rocket market. Have written joint proposals with several larger defense contractors in the liquid rocket market as well as with universities for advanced technology programs.
• Development stage: validation of software for application to flight system hardware.

• Trademark name: CRUNCH CFD® software (which is currently being licensed).
• Primary market sector is aerospace industry for liquid rocket design.
• Northrop-Grumman Corp. has expressed concrete interest in using the technology to support the design of liquid hydrogen inducers as part of their Upper Stage Engine Technology (USET) program for the U.S. Air Force.
• Unique competitive advantage is software's ability to predict effect of cryogenic fluid properties on the performance of liquid rocket turbo-machinery. At present time, other commercially available software can only predict performance in water and cannot identify effects arising from cryogenic fluid properties.

• Technology has been used to analyze liquid oxygen inducers that were being developed under the NGLT program. Technology is also being used to model and support the design of cryogenic fluid valves and other flow devices such as venturis.
• Software has applicability to a broad range of fluid flow devices, including valves, thermal heat exchangers, and supercritical flow in feed systems.
• Remaining development: develop technology for unsteady dynamic pressure fluctuation predictions in turbo-pumps and other cryogenic fluid flow devices.

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