Kamma P.Loksupapaiboon K.Phromjan J.Suvanjumrat C.Mahidol University2025-09-302025-09-302025-09-16Journal of Research and Applications in Mechanical Engineering Vol.13 No.3 (2025)22292152https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/112359Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) has become essential for modeling and analyzing high-speed compressible flows around complex geometries. However, the utility of this tool is compromised if it is unreliable. This study examines the performance of RhoCentralFoam, a density-based solver in the open-source CFD software OpenFOAM, which utilizes the Kurganov-Noelle-Petrova (KNP) central upwind scheme for numerical flux calculations. RhoCentralFoam was validated by comparing its results against reliable analytical solutions and experimental data across various Mach numbers (Ma). The solver demonstrated an average error margin of less than 2% and performed effectively within the determined Ma range, depending on the geometrical model. Furthermore, the Van Albada and SFCD schemes exhibited no significant differences and were implemented without inducing instabilities in shock wave simulations. These findings confirm that RhoCentralFoam is a reliable CFD tool for simulating high-speed compressible flow phenomena, offering significant potential for future research and practical applications.EngineeringArticleSCOPUS10.14456/jrame.2025.362-s2.0-1050168721222697424X