Aerothermodynamics, Propulsion and Space Experiments

Reference Person
Raffaele Savino - Professor of Fluid Dynamics (ING-IND/06)
Components
Anselmo Cecere - RTDa
Stefano Mungiguerra - RTDa
Antonio Esposito - Ph.D. laboratory technician
Courses
Aerodynamics, Hypersonic Aerodynamics, Aerospace Propulsion, Space Proplsion, Space Experiments
Aerothermodynamics
In this field, following a long tradition which dates back to the first studies on aerothermo-chemistry of the 60s and 70s and to international programs such as Hermes, Tethered Space Mail, USV and EXPERT, in the 90s and 2000s, new research activities are carried out on innovative configurations of space transport systems, as part of Space Agency programs (ASI and ESA). For instance, in the period 2005-2010, the European program "High Lift over Drag Vehicles for Earth Reentry" was coordinated in collaboration with OHB Systems, and more recently numerical and experimental studies have been performed within the European IXV program (Intermediate Experimental Vehicle). The research is currently focused on the study of innovative re-entry capsules with variable geometry and new generation of hypersonic aircrafts, in collaboration with CIRA, ASI, ESA, private companies and national and international research institutes. On this topic, a project is currently ongoing, funded by National Military Research Program, called Hyperion and dedicated to the design of an innovative super/hypersonic aircraft. The research is also focused on the development of thermal protections based on ultra-refractory ceramic materials for wing leading edges and for aero-propulsive applications, in collaboration with CNR-ISTEC. A European Horizon 2020 project (C3harme) has been recently concluded in this field. Recently, experimental activities have been carried out in collaboration with the University of Birmingham, and a project is currently onging with CNR-ISTEC, Politecnico di Milano, CIRA and Petroceramics for the aerothermodynaic characterization of ceramic and composite materials for space applications.
Theoretical and numerical research, which also includes advanced molecular aerodynamics developments, is constantly supported by experimental activities. International collaborations are active with international research institutes, such as DLR, and universities in Europe and in the United States as well as with important industries such as AIRBUS, OHB, Thales. The Aerothermodynamics facility is also provided of a hypersonic arc-jet wind tunnel for studies of hypersonic flows and tests on thermal protection materials.
Aerospace Propulsion
In the field of Space Propulsion, research is focused on the study of hybrid and monopropellant engines in collaboration with CIRA, Avio and other national and international companies, continuing the experiences developed at the Department in the previous projects funded by the European Union in the 7th Framework Program. In this context, it is possible to study in depth the rockets internal ballistics and the performance achieved by using different fuels (HDPE, HTPB, Paraffin) and oxidizers (Oxygen, Nitrous Oxide, Hydrogen Peroxide). In particular, the research main topic are the combustion stability, the combustion efficiency, the interaction of the acoustic modes in the combustion chamber with vortex shedding phenomena, the dependence of the regression rate on the oxidizer mass flux and injection system. A laboratory is available at the Grazzanise military base (CE) where, in collaboration with the Air Force Academy, a test bench has been set up to carry out tests on hybrid and monopropellant rockets. Engines of different scale have been designed and tested with thrusts of the order of 1 kN and pressures in the combustion chamber of 35 atm. Different subsystem have been validated such as the injection and ignition systems. Other activities include studies on materials for thermal protection and zero nozzle throat erosion. Master's degree and PhD thesis are developed in this field. Currently, on the topic several research programs are active, including the projects HYPROB and HYPROB-NEW, funded by MUR in collaboration with CIRA, focused on the characterization of paraffin-based fuels, and SPIV (Sistema Propulsivo Ibrido Vega), ASI-funded project involving all the main private and public institutions working on the topic of hybrid rocket propulsion. Moreover, national projects are ongoing (FORCE, RODiO), dedicated to development of miniature propulsion units for Cubesat applications.
Microgravity and Space Experiments
In the field of Microgravity (website http://www.dii.unina.it/index.php/it/ricerca/laboratori-di-ricerca/155-laboratorio-di-microgravita), the activity is focused on Fluid Science and some of the most interesting lines of research concern the study of phenomena of free, natural and surface-tensions-induced convection; fluid dynamic modeling of multiphase systems; residual acceleration effects during Fluid and Material Science experiments. The long-lasting experience of Federico II University on these topics dates back to the 80s and 90s with various experiments in fluid physics in microgravity on the Space Shuttle and on sounding rockets. As part of these studies, experiments are carried out on microgravity platforms, including parabolic flights airplanes, pressurized space laboratories, orbiting satellites. The experimentation is carried out with different diagnostic systems (including thermography and interferometry) and is integrated with numerical simulations carried out with the computational fluid dynamic software. The research group performs these activities in collaboration with the Italian (ASI), European (ESA), United States (NASA) Space Agencies, with research centers and with various universities abroad (in Europe, the United States, Canada, China and Japan). A very active line of research concerns the study, on the International Space Station, of heat exchange processes in multiphase systems, in particular for the development of high efficiency heat exchange and cooling devices such as heat pipes and heat spreaders. In this field, the group coordinates a project funded by the European Space Agency (ESA) on "Innovative Wickless Heat Pipes", and also collaborates with research groups from the Shibaura Institute of Technology in Tokyo and other universities in Japan.
As regards the teaching activities in the master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, since 2016 students who attend the Space Experiments Course have the opportunity to experience parabolic flight and microgravity with ultralight aircrafts (http://www.ateneapoli.it/news/federico-ii/voli-parabolici-a-bordo-di-un-aereo-biposto-per-gli-studenti-di-aerospaziale). In particular, over 70 students were able to participate in these initiatives in 2019 thanks to the support of the Galassia Sports Association, the Center for Near Space and companies that sponsored the event.