Structure of Radiation-Resisted Shock Waves with Vibrational Nonequilibrium

Abstract

The continuum equations of gasdynamics are used to study the effect of thermal radiation and vibrational nonequilibrium on the structure of a shock wave. Emphasis is on a description of the gasdynamic phenomena involved rather than on numerical results. For example, a Mollier diagram interpretation, useful for understanding radiation-resisted shock waves, is given. The principal results stem from an analysis of the singular-point structure far upstream and far downstream in the flow. This analysis indicates in a heuristic fashion that a unique solution exists. It also shows that two parameters, a Mach number and the ratio of a radiation length to a relaxation length, primarily govern the qualitative behavior of the flow. Thus, for a specific range of values of these parameters, the vibrational energy overshoots its final equilibrium value. For a different range, a net amount of radiant energy is transferred from the hot gas behind the adiabatic shock to the gas far downstream.