Numerical Integration of the Equations Governing the One-Dimensional Flow of a Chemically Reactive Gas

Abstract

The concept of parasitic eigenvalues in the numerical solution of sets of ordinary differential equations is introduced. The use of an implicit method is proposed for the solution of sets of differential equations containing such parasitic eigenvalues. These ideas are then applied to the integration of the equations which govern the one-dimensional flow of a chemically reactive gas. In particular, results are presented for the flow downstream of a normal shock wave and for the flow in a converging-diverging nozzle. The conditions are delineated under which the more complicated computations required by the implicit method appear justified.