Aerodynamic optimization of Laval nozzle flow with shocks: Numerical investigation of active/passive shock control via expansion fans

Abstract

AbstractInstantaneous ignition in the supersonic part of a 3‐D Laval nozzle realized by a well‐defined sudden temperature rise across a normal shock is the focus of the present study. Unfortunately, the divergence of the supersonic nozzle part is necessarily smooth. Therefore, the turbulent boundary layer ahead of the shock is thick and causes substantial shock/boundary layer interactions. The non‐homogeneous temperature increase across the shock, caused by the boundary layer thickening ahead of the shock and the resulting pre‐compression prevents the quasi 1‐D evolution of the flow downstream. Additionally, due to multiple boundary layer interactions the single shock disintegrates into a so called pseudo‐shock system; i.e., into a sequence of periodic weak compression and expansion regions. To avoid this drawback and to establish homogeneous thermodynamic conditions throughout the entire cross section and flow domain downstream of the shock we apply active and passive control techniques in the area of shock boundary layer interaction. The central idea of the control technique described below is compensation of the thickening of the boundary layer by quantitative appropriate inverse effects, i.e. by superimposing negative and positive pressure gradients in the near wall region close to the shock position. In a first approach the additional expansion fan is created by active suction slots in flow direction and through all sidewalls of the 3‐D nozzle. The resulting shock remains straight with exception of the near wall region. Suction creates an effective concave wall curvature. In supersonic flow the resulting local expansion tends to compensate the pre‐compression. Because suction in high temperature environment is difficult to realize, we alter the wall curvature to create a negative bump with the same effect on the effective wall curvature. Under these conditions a normal shock in the channel core could be established without active or passive suction. The paper compares these active/passive control techniques with the unmodified setup. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)