Machine Learning of Hypersonic Combustion Modeling for High-Speed Aerospace Applications
Apollo 11 Postdoctoral Fellowships at Purdue - Proposal
Next-generation high-energy-density propulsion systems for civilian and military applications require detonative combustion, which involves complex interactions between multi-physical, multi-scale processes under extreme conditions. The design and optimization of hypersonic combustion systems demand a deep understanding of these underlying physics, as well as the development of fast and predictive models. In a typical detonation simulation with realistic chemical kinetics, combustion calculations alone can account for over 90% of the total computational cost. Therefore, it is crucial to develop efficient and accurate computational models for hypersonic combustion.
The goal of the proposed postdoctoral appointment is to develop a new framework that incorporates machine learning and data-driven approaches to enable fast and predictive modeling of hypersonic combustion. This research will closely align with Prof. Haifeng Wang’s ongoing work in machine learning-assisted turbulence and combustion modeling at low to moderate flow speeds, specifically building on current efforts in machine learning-enhanced models for wall heat transfer in fire simulations, ignition modeling for internal combustion engines, and turbulence modeling of hypersonic boundaries.
Hypersonic combustion presents unique challenges, including high pressure and temperature, short flow residence times, rapid chemical reactions, and strong aerodynamic effects that lead to complex interactions between shockwaves and thin reaction zones, and strong turbulence effects.
The postdoc research will focus on reducing the computational cost of combustion simulations by employing advanced machine learning techniques. By expanding into the hypersonic regime, this work opens new avenues of study, such as turbulence-chemistry interactions under extreme conditions, shockwave interactions, and thermochemical nonequilibrium effects. The postdoc will help expand the current research portfolio and broaden the scope of the expertise, paving the way for future externally funded research in hypersonic propulsion technologies.
Faculty Lead
Associate Professor Haifeng Wang
School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Purdue University