Numerical investigation of the role of hyper-mixers in supersonic mixing

Abstract

Abstract In this numerical study, the role of hyper-mixers on supersonic mixing is investigated for six different strut configurations. To this end, 3D, compressible, turbulent, non-reacting flow calculations with air as the secondary injectant have been carried out. A qualitative comparison of the predictions with experimental results is made through Schlieren and Mie scattering images. A quantitative evaluation of the predictions is made by comparison with experimentally measured exit stagnation pressure, wall static pressure and the degree of unmixedness. Based on these results, three strut configurations have been selected for carrying out simulations with hydrogen as the injectant. Results from the hydrogen simulations are compared with the predictions using air and also across the strut configurations. The results clearly demonstrate that castellated strut configurations are very effective in enhancing mixing in such high speed flows.