Numerical simulation of charged characteristics of scramjet combustion products

Abstract

The combustion of the engine in the air vehicle causes the presence of charged particles in the jet stream, and the electric field displayed varies with engine type and fuel characteristics. In order to show the magnitude and distribution of charged particles in combustion products during scramjet operation, we constructed microphysical model and fluid calculation model based on the physical characteristics of supersonic combustion to simulate the variation of charged particles concentration in the scramjet combustion chamber and the charge density distribution outside the combustion chamber. The obtained results show that the charged particles in combustion products are mainly composed of ions, electrons, ion clusters, and charged soot particles. The electron concentration can be almost negligible at the exit of the combustion chamber. The other charged particles in the combustion products are ejected into the atmosphere with the jet. The charge density distribution of the jet has a certain symmetry in a short time due to the influence of the flow field. It is found that the type of fuel and the conductivity of the surface materials in the combustion chamber affect the electrified properties of the combustion products to some extent. This study has a reference value for further analysis of the detectable electric field generated during scramjet operation.