Measurements of heat transfer in separated high-enthalpy dissociated laminar hypersonic flow behind a step

Abstract

Measurements of heat transfer in the separated region behind a rearward-facing step in a hypersonic high-enthalpy stream, are described. The range of enthalpies considered was much greater than those reported previously in the literature. High-response surface thermocouples were used to measure the heat-transfer rates. Flow visualization by way of interferograms, with a Mach—Zehnder interferometer, were obtained and improved visualization was further facilitated by digitizing the interferograms and using Fourier analysis to determine fringe positions. This then provided a phase map of the flow region in which the phase was colour coded to emphasize flow characteristics. © 1989, Cambridge University Press. All rights reserved.