Large eddy simulation of supersonic flow in ducts with complex cross-sections

Abstract

Large Eddy Simulation (LES) has been employed for the investigation of supersonic flow characteristics in five ducts with varying cross-sectional geometries. The numerical results reveal that flow channel configurations exert a considerable influence on the mainstream flow and the near-wall flow behavior. In contrast to straight ducts, square-to-circular and rectangular-to-circular ducts exhibit thicker boundary layers and a greater presence of vortex structures. Given the same inlet area, rectangular-to-circular ducts lead to higher flow drag force and total pressure loss than square-to-circular ducts. Characterized by the substantial flow separation and shock waves, the “S-shaped duct shows significant vertically-asymmetric characteristics.

Keywords

• Scramjet
• LES
• Complex cross-section
• Boundary layer