Novel Wentzel–Kramers–Brillouin Solutions to the Nonisentropic Helmholtz Equation in a Nonuniform Duct With Mean Temperature Gradient and Mean Flow

Abstract

Abstract We derive the generalized Helmholtz equation (GHE) governing nonisentropic acoustic fluctuations in a quasi 1D duct with nonuniform cross section, mean temperature gradient, and nonuniform mean flow. Nonisentropic effects are included via heat conduction terms in the mean and fluctuating energy equations. To derive the Helmholtz equation exclusively in terms of the fluctuating pressure field, a relationship between density and pressure fluctuations is needed, which is shown to be a second-order differential equation for nonisentropic motions. Novel analytical solutions that are accurate for both low/high frequencies and small/large mean gradients are presented for the GHE based on the Wentzel–Kramers–Brillouin (WKB) method. WKB solutions are developed using the ansatz that the pressure fluctuation field has a travelling wave form, p^(x)=exp[∫0x(a+ib)dx], where x is the axial coordinate. Substituting this form into the Helmholtz equation yields coupled, nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODEs) for a and b. Analytical solutions to the ODEs are obtained using the approximations of high frequency and slowly varying mean properties. This simplification allows us to obtain the lower order solutions b0 and a0. We then enhance solution accuracy by using a0 to solve for b1 without any approximations. Finally, b1 is employed to get a1, giving us the higher order solution. The p^ calculated from (a1, b1) is in good to excellent agreement with numerical solution of the GHE for both low and high frequencies and for a range of mean Mach numbers, including M¯≳1.