Effect of Flame-Holding Cavities on Supersonic-Combustion Performance

Abstract

An experimental study was performed to evaluate the e ame-holding and mixing enhancement characteristics of supersonic reacting e ow over acoustically open cavities. Several cone gurations of acoustically open cavities were placed inside a supersonic-combustion duct just downstream of the fuel injection ports. The resulting changes in e ame behavior and combustion characteristics were assessed using schlieren visualization of the uncone ned e ow and wall pressure measurements of the cone ned e ow along the duct. The results were then compared with the baselinecase, which used no cavity. Although thecavitiesimproved thecombustion performancefrom thebaseline, the amount of enhancement was dependent on the particular shape of the cavity as well as the e ow conditions. Certain cavity cone gurations that were strategically placed inside the combustion duct led to a faster increase in the axial pressure force. The data showed that the recovery temperature was higher and the total pressure proe le was more uniform at the exit plane, suggesting enhanced volumetric heat release and faster mixing associated with the cavity- ine uenced e owe eld.