In-Stream Hypermixer Fueling Pylons in Supersonic Flow

Abstract

This paper presents results from both computational fluid dynamic and wind-tunnel experiments of in-stream fueling pylons injecting air, ethylene, and methane gas into Mach number 2.0 cold airflow. Three fuel-injection pylons studied include a basic pylon, a ramp pylon, and an alternating-wedge pylon. The latter two pylons introduce streamwise vorticity into the flow to increase mixing action. The computational fluid dynamic solution was accomplished using the commercial code FLUENT®. Three wind-tunnel experimental techniques were used: aerothermal probing, Raman spectroscopy, and nitric-oxide planar laser-induced fluorescence. Four measures reported include streamwise vorticity, total-pressure-loss, mixing efficiency, and flammable plume extent. The ramp and alternating-wedge pylons show decisive increases in mixing capability compared with the basic pylon for a finite distance downstream of the injector. The alternating-wedge pylon exhibits a measurable increase in total pressure loss compared with the basic pylon, and the ramp pylon exhibits a negligible increase in total pressure loss compared with the basic pylon. For comparison, the downstream mixing effectiveness of the three pylons is compared with the downstream mixing effectiveness of a transverse circular wall injector studied in past research. In addition, a qualitative comparison between the computational fluid dynamic and wind-tunnel experimental results is made.