Flow Mixing and Screech Characteristics of Elliptical Supersonic Jet

AbstractThe acoustic and flow characteristics of a jet with elliptical throat is studied at different levels of nozzle expansion ratio. In this study, we have taken two types of CD nozzle configuration (circular and elliptical throat) and it is studied for various NPR ratios of 2, 3, 4 and 6. In addition, the acoustic characteristic of the jet flow is also measured for respective NPRs. Measurements of acoustic data are done using microphones placed at 30, 60 and 90 degrees to imprison the effects of screech tone. At NPR 2, 3 and 4, the jet with elliptical throat witnesses superior mixing and shorter core length compared to the circular throat. Its surprising to see both the configurations provides the identical oscillation at NPR 2, 3 and 4, however the efficiency of jet mixing is larger in elliptical throat jet. As the nozzle pressure ratio increased from 2 to 3 and 3 to 4, the potential core length of the jet reduces marginally about 5 to 10 % for every NPR until nozzle pressure ratio of 5. At NPR 2 and 3, the centerline pitot pressure profile shows, the decay of jet from the elliptical throat is healthier than a circular jet. At various levels of nozzle expansion, shock cell shows an appreciable change with an increase in NPR. Introduction of the elliptical throat on circular modifies the structure of shock cell which significantly changes the magnitude of screech tone due to the weakening of shock waves.