Co-PI: Tory Brogan, Department of Industrial and Mechanical Engineering, Montana State University
A quantitative study will be carried out on the hydrodynamic stability of the laminar free-shear (mixing) layer between a supersonic flow at Mach number 3, and one at Mach zero, utilizing data obtained in the MSU Supersonic wind-tunnel. Measurements will be made of the evolution of the flow fluctuation spectrum in the streamwise direction, and of the amplification rate of individual Fourier components. In a corresponding theoretical analysis, the steady-component of the shear layer development will be computed with a viscous Navier-Stokes simulation. Then using the Navier-Stokes solution as input, the nature and growth of the fluctuations will be computed from linearized stability theory. Validation of the theoretical computations will involve a comparison between the experiment and theory. Emphasis will be placed on the frequency range and growth rate of amplified disturbances. This subject is of interest to NASA and the US Air Force for the purpose of improving air-fuel mixing and combustion efficiencies in air -breathing engines operating at high (supersonic or hypersonic) flight speeds.
| Mail: | |
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Industrial and Mechanical Engineering Department |
| Montana State University | |
| Bozeman, MT 59717 | |
| Phone: | (406) 994-2203 |
| FAX: | (406) 994-6292 |
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