Richtmyer-meshkov instability induced mixing enhancement in the scramjet combustor with a central strut

Abstract

Experimental and numerical study of Richtmyer-Meshkov instability (RMI) induced mixing enhancement has been conducted in a liquid-fueled scramjet engine with a central strut. To generate the RMI in the scramjet engine, transverse high temperature jets are employed downstream the strut injector. Compared to the transverse ordinary temperature jet, the jet penetration into the supersonic airstream of high temperature jet increases by 60%. The numerical results indicate that the RMI phenomenon markedly enhances the mixing efficiency (up to 43%), which is necessary to initiate the chemical reactions. Ground experiments were carried out in the combustor, which verify the numerical method from the perspective of wall pressures of the combustor. In particular, the experiment results indicate that the RMI can benefit flame-holding due to the mixing enhancement. © 2014 Qingchun Yang et al.