Effect of wall length on an interacting supersonic rectangular jet

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to study the interaction effects between a rectangular supersonic jet with a flat wall computationally using wall length as a parameter. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of change in wall length on supersonic core length (SCL) reduction, jet deflection and jet decay behavior. Design/methodology/approach The design Mach number and aspect ratio at the rectangular exit were 1.8 and 2, respectively. To study the wall length effects on jet-wall interactions, wall length (Lw) was varied as 0.5Dh, 1Dh, 2Dh, 4Dh and 8Dh, where Dh was the hydraulic diameter of the nozzle exit. The flat wall with the matching width of the rectangular exit section of a supersonic nozzle was placed at the nozzle exit such that the supersonic jet grazed past the wall. The studies were carried out at over-expansion [nozzle pressure ratio (NPR) = 4], near optimum expansion (NPR = 6) and under-expansion (NPR = 8) levels. Findings Results indicated that significant reduction in wall-bounded SCL was noticed in the range of 0.5Dh  ≤  Lw ≤ 1Dh for both over-expansion and under-expansion conditions. At Lw ≥ 4Dh, SCL got enhanced at NPR = 4 and 6 but had a negligible effect at NPR = 8. Practical implications Thrust vector control, noise reduction and easy take-off for high-speed aircraft. Originality/value The effect of change in flat wall length on interaction characteristics of a rectangular supersonic jet was not studied before in terms of SCL reduction and jet decay behavior.