Influence of passive strut on the mixing and combustion performance enhancement

Abstract

The scramjet engine is one of the possible means of reaching supersonic speed using airbreathing engines. As the inflow of air is at supersonic speed, proper mixing and combustion is a challenge. Researchers have used multi-strut arrangements to address the problem. However, the additional supply of fuel from multiple struts with inefficient mixing and combustion leads to losses in terms of fuel and efficiency. Alternatively, the multi-strut configuration could be used to improve the combustion and mixing efficiency passively. In the present investigation, two strut configurations, a fuel injection strut, and a passive strut, have been used. The computational study was done by solving steady Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations along with the Shear Stress Transport (SST) k-ω turbulence model, species, and ideal gas equation. Eddy dissipation model was used to solve reacting flow. The introduction of a passive strut in the wake of the fuel injection strut leads to vortices upstream and downstream of the passive strut. These vortices were observed to be responsible for enhancing the mixing and combustion. It was found that judicious placement of the passive strut in the wake of the combustion zone can enhance both the mixing as well as combustion efficiency with minimal loss in total pressure.