Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-pjpqr Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-06-28T04:58:01.474Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Experiments on the stability of liquid films adjacent to supersonic boundary layers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 April 2006

William S. Saric ,
Ali H. Nayfeh  and
Spyridon G. Lekoudis
William S. Saric
Affiliation:
Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg
Ali H. Nayfeh
Affiliation:
Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg
Spyridon G. Lekoudis
Affiliation:
Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

The stability of liquid films adjacent to supersonic streams was investigated experimentally and compared with analytical results. Linear theories predict that films adjacent ta supersonic streams are much more unstable than those adjacent to subsonic streams. However, our supersonic experimental observa-tions indicated that the liquid film was stable with no entrainment under all test conditions. These conditions included laminar and turbulent boundary layers, a variation in the liquid Reynolds number (based on flow rate) from 1 to 200 and a variation in the free-stream unit Reynolds number from 1.6 × 106 m−1 to 110.0 × 106 m−1. These experimental observations can be explained by nonlinear theories, which predict that linear unstable disturbances do not grow indefhitely but achieve steady-state amplitudes in the supersonic case. The different aspects of the observed wave behaviour such as frequency, wavelength and amplitude are discussed and compared with previous experimental observations and the nonlinear theories.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Fluid Mechanics , Volume 77 , Issue 1 , 9 September 1976 , pp. 63 - 80
Copyright
© 1976 Cambridge University Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Anderson, L. W. & Kendall, R. M. 1969 Boundary layer integral matrix procedure. Rep. Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, no. AFWL-TR-69–114, vol. I, II.Google Scholar
Bordner, G. L. & Nayfeh, A. H. 1974 Nonlinear stability of a liquid film adjacent to a viscous supersonic stream. Tech. Rep. Virginia Polytech. Inst. & State Univ., Blacksburg, no. VPI-E-74–11.Google Scholar
Bordner, G. L., Nayfeh, A. H. & Saric, W. S. 1975 Stability of liquid films adjacent to compressible streams. Z. angew. Math. Phys., 26, 771.Google Scholar
Chapman, D. R. & Larson, H. K. 1962 Aerodynamic evidence pertaining to the entry of tektites in the earth's atmosphere. N.A.S.A. Tech. Rep. no. R–134.Google Scholar
Gater, R. L. & L'Ecuyer, M. R. 1971 A fundamental investigation of the phenomena that characterize liquid film cooling. Int. J. Heat Mass Transfer, 13, 1925.Google Scholar
Gold, H. 1973 Surface fluid and boundary layer interaction aspects of transpiration cooled nosetip concepts. Tech. Rep. Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, no. AFML-TR-73–8.Google Scholar
Grose, R. G. & Kendall, R. M. 1970 The homogeneous Blimp with liquid layer. Rep. Aerotherm Corp., Mountain View, Calif. no.70–3.Google Scholar
Kendall, R. M. & Bartlett, E. P. 1972 Nonsimilar solution of the multi-component laminar boundary layer by an integral-matrix method. A.I.A.A. J. 6, 1089.Google Scholar
Lekoudis, S. G., Nayfeh, A. H. & Saric, W. S. 1976 Compressible boundary layers over wavy walls. Phys. Fluids, 19, 514.Google Scholar
Marshall, B. W. & Tiederman, W. G. 1972 A capacitance depth gauge for thin liquid films. Rev. Sci. fnstr. 43, 544.Google Scholar
Muir, J. F. & Trujillo, A. A. 1972 Experimental investigation of the effects of nose bluntness, freestream unit Reynolds number, and angle of attack on cone boundary layer transition at a Mach number of 6. A.I.A.A. Paper, no. 72–216.Google Scholar
Muir, J. F. & Trujillo, A. A. 1974 Comparison of boundary layer transition measure-ments obtained in two wind tunnel facilities. A.I.A.A. Paper, no. 74–626.Google Scholar
Nayfee, A. H. & Saric, W. S. 1971 Nonlinear Kelvin-Helmholtz instability. J. Fluid Mech. 46, 209.Google Scholar
Nayfer, A. H. & Saric, W. S. 1973 Nonlinear stability of a liquid film adjacent to a supersonic stream. J. Fluid Mech. 58, 39.Google Scholar
Saric, W. S. & Marshall, B. W. 1971 An experimental investigation of the stability of a thin liquid layer adjacent to a supersonic stream. A.I.A.A. J. 9, 1546.Google Scholar