Heat Transfer in a Supersonic Parallel Diffuser

Abstract

This paper presents the results of heat transfer measurements taken on a two-dimensional supersonic parallel diffuser. The wall static pressure distributions and the corresponding heat transfer coefficients and fluxes have been measured for a range of initial total pressures. The effects of varying the area of the diffuser cross-section for the same upstream generating nozzle have also been studied. Mach number profiles measured at sections along the diffuser show that in the presence of shock waves and a positive pressure gradient the flow is very much underdeveloped. In general, the mean level of heat transfer is found to be much greater than that predicted by conventional empirical equations for subsonic pipe flows with zero pressure gradient. Further, on comparison between normal and oblique shock diffusion the former is found to give the higher level of heat transfer.