Effect of Swirling Secondary Flow on the Under-expanded Non-circular Supersonic Jets

Abstract Effects of swirling secondary flow on the decay characteristics of non-circular under-expanded supersonic primary jets were experimentally studied. Primary jet is issuing from a convergent-divergent nozzle with different exit geometry such as circle, cruciform, triangle and rectangle. In this study, two different methods were used to impart swirl on the secondary flow as follows, (i) introduction of- angular vanes inside the secondary flow duct and (ii) using tangential inlets at the secondary flow duct. This swirling secondary flow influences the boundary condition of the primary jet and results in reduction of jet core length and shock train length, it also enhances the jet decay rate. Maximum shock train length reduction of 70 % is achieved when swirling secondary flow (tangential injection method) is introduced over the circular primary jet.