A Theoretical Prediction of the Acoustic Pressure Generated by Turbulence-Flame Front Interactions

The equations of momentum and continuity are combined and linearized yielding the one-dimensional nonhomogeneous acoustic wave equation. Three terms in the nonhomogeneous equation act as acoustic sources and are taken to be forcing functions acting on the homogeneous wave equation. The three source terms are: fluctuating entropy, turbulence gradients, and turbulence-flame interactions. Each source term is discussed. The turbulence-flame interaction source is used as the basis for computing the source acoustic pressure from the Fourier transformed wave equation. Pressure fluctuations created in turbopump gas generators and turbines may act as a forcing function for turbine and propellant tube vibrations in earth-to-orbit space propulsion systems and could reduce their life expectancy. A preliminary assessment of the acoustic pressure fluctuations in such system is presented.