Effects of primary configurative parameters on the performance of linear aerospike nozzles

Based on numerical simulation, the effects of cell area ratio, cell type and plug truncation on the aerospike nozzles performance were investigated. The plug dimensions under different configurative parameters were also compared. Aerospike nozzles have better performance when the cell is in under-expansion or optimum-expansion than in over-expansion at sea level. Aerospike nozzles with 2-D cells (rectangle throat and exit) have the highest efficiency. Aerospike nozzles with round throat square exit cells or round throat rectangle exit cells have almost the same efficiency, but their efficiency is a little lower than that of aerospike nozzles with 2-D cells. The shorter plug truncation is, the lower aerospike nozzles efficiency will be. The performance differences of aerospike nozzles with different plug truncations become less when nozzle pressure ratio is raised. The effect of plug length on the performance of aerospike nozzles is decreased when plug length increases.