Numerical solution of two-dimensional ablation problems using the finite control volume method with unstructured grids

This paper presents the solution of two-dimensional axisymmetric ablation problems with unstructured grids. The energy equation is fmulated and solved using the Finite Control Volume Method. The exterior shape of the ablating body is determined from a surf= e m g y balance with the interior mesh displaced in response to the surface ablat i o ~ as if the body was a linear elastic solid. Boundary condition matrices are formulated for both heat of ablation and generalized thermochemical ablation boundary conditions. Computed recession rates are. compared to an analytical solution to demonstrate the accuracy and convergence of this approach. Additionally, the practical application of this approach to the ablation of a reentry vehicle nase tip is presented. Nomenclature 4" e Q' r r S