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It appears that we may have reached the limit of what Python can do, as we attempt to understand the design of a new kind of rocket engine.
With encouragement from Google's Gemini paid version if free-trial mode, I decided to proceed with ChatGPT4o to see if OpenFOAM might be able to model the unique dynamics of our externally heated engine. The installation of OpenFOAM appears to have gone smoothly.
Hello Again! This is just an update. Let's not do any work now. It appears that OpenFOAM 12 is installed on my 22.04 Ubuntu system. It delivered the help display as predicted by the installation procedure. The installation went smoothly. The next time we get together let's see if we can run a model that someone else created. Ideally (from my point of view) the simpler the model the better. It occurs to me that our design is more similar to a solid fuel rocket than it is to a traditional liquid fuel rocket, but I'll defer to your judgement as we proceed.
ChatGPT said:
Hello again! That’s excellent news — I’m glad to hear OpenFOAM 12 installed smoothly and is responding as expected on your Ubuntu 22.04 system. That help display is a good sign everything’s wired up correctly.Your instinct about starting with a simple, existing model is a wise one — OpenFOAM has a number of tutorial cases that we can use as a foundation, and we can then gradually adapt toward your solid-fuel-like heat pipe design. There are combustion-related cases (e.g., reactingFoam), and also thermal-only cases that might serve as good stepping stones.
Your point about the similarity to a solid fuel rocket is insightful — your design does indeed involve heat input and gas flow but lacks the complex two-phase mixing dynamics of liquid fuel combustion. That observation will help us pick the most appropriate solver.
Looking forward to diving in when you're ready. Until then, best wishes for continued smooth progress — and enjoy the satisfaction of a clean install!
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Based upon suggestions provided by kbd512, I asked Google's Gemini to see if it could find graphite pipe manufactured for the chemical industry, in sizes appropriate for our Optical Plane space vessel project.
It appears that diameter up to 24 inches is possible, and lengths of 5 meters readily available.
Conversation with Gemini
Hi Gemini! Thanks (again) for your help with previous inquiries! Today I'm hoping you can help with a product search. Our (small) team is working on a design that requires a pipe 240 meters long. We understand such pipe may be available for the chemical industry in lengths up to 10 meters. By any chance, can you find a supplier of such pipe made of graphite? We need to know the largest diameter of graphite pipe available.
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Okay, I can certainly help you look into suppliers for graphite pipe.You are correct that graphite piping is used in the chemical industry, particularly for handling corrosive fluids at high temperatures. It's typically supplied in standard lengths that need to be joined together to achieve longer runs like your 240-meter requirement. These individual sections are often joined using methods like graphite flanges or specialized cements, depending on the application and pressure requirements.
Finding the absolute largest diameter available can be tricky as it often depends on the specific manufacturer, the grade of graphite (e.g., extruded vs. isostatic), and whether it's impervious (resin-impregnated) graphite, which is common for pipe. Maximum diameters can vary.
Based on information from various manufacturers and suppliers, here's what I can gather:
Typical Range: Impervious graphite pipes are commonly manufactured with Internal Diameters (ID) up to around 600 mm (approximately 24 inches). Some specialized manufacturers might potentially offer larger custom sizes, but this seems to be a frequent upper limit for standard product lines. Outer Diameters (OD) will be larger accordingly.
Standard Lengths: While you mentioned lengths up to 10 meters, standard lengths often range from 1 meter up to around 5 meters, depending on the diameter and manufacturer. Achieving your 240-meter total length will definitely require joining multiple sections (e.g., 48 sections if they were 5 meters long).
Potential Suppliers:
Here are some well-known manufacturers and suppliers of graphite process equipment, including piping, that you could contact to get specific details on their maximum available diameters and technical specifications:
SGL Carbon: A major global manufacturer of graphite products, including piping systems (DIABON®).
Mersen: Offers a range of corrosion-resistant equipment, including Graphilor® impervious graphite pipes.
CG Thermal: Specializes in graphite heat exchangers and process equipment, likely including piping.
Graphite India Limited: A large producer of graphite materials.
Tokai Carbon: Another significant global player in carbon and graphite products.
Recommendations:
Contact Suppliers Directly: The best approach is to reach out to the sales or technical departments of these (or similar) companies. Provide them with your specific requirements (total length, desired diameter range, process conditions like temperature, pressure, and the chemical media involved).
Inquire about Maximum Dimensions: Ask specifically about the largest standard ID/OD they manufacture for impervious graphite pipe suitable for chemical processing.
Discuss Joining Methods: Ensure you understand the recommended joining methods (flanges, cement, etc.) for their specific pipe products to maintain integrity over the 240-meter length.
Check Lead Times and Availability: Large-diameter graphite components may have longer lead times.
While diameters up to ~600mm ID appear common, I strongly recommend verifying this directly with suppliers for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding their current capabilities and product lines. Good luck with your project!
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Thank you for this very helpful guide for our inquiry. The upper diameter you quoted is far outside the estimated diameter we need for our project, so a supply in the range we do need seems assured! While I am away, best wishes for similar success as you attempt to assist all your other customers!
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That's excellent news! I'm glad to hear the information was helpful and that the typical maximum sizes give you confidence in sourcing the diameter your project requires. It's often reassuring to know the upper limits when searching for components.Thank you very much for your kind wishes! I appreciate that. I'll continue doing my best to assist everyone who comes my way.
Best of luck with your project, and don't hesitate to reach out if any further questions arise as you proceed!
For the record, we still do not know what diameter is best for this application. The pipe needs to be larger in diameter than the throat of the nozzle.
That's not a lot to go on.
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