Numerical validation and parametric investigation on the cold flow field of a typical cavity-based scramjet combustor

Abstract The three-dimensional coupled implicit Reynolds Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equations and the two equation standard k – e turbulence model has been employed to numerically simulate the cold flow field in a typical cavity-based scramjet combustor. The numerical results show reasonable agreement with the schlieren photograph and the pressure distribution available in the open literature. The pressure distribution after the first pressure rise is under-predicted. There are five shock waves existing in the cold flow field of the referenced combustor. The first and second pressure rises on the upper wall of the combustor are predicted accurately with the medium grid. The other three shock waves occur in the core flow of the combustor. The location of the pressure rise due to these three shock waves could not be predicted accurately due to the presence of recirculation zone downstream of the small step. Further, the effect of length-to-depth ratio of the cavity and the back pressure on the wave structure in the combustor has been investigated. The obtained results show that there is an optimal length-to-depth ratio for the cavity to restrict the movement of the shock wave train in the flow field of the scramjet combustor. The low velocity region in the cavity affects the downstream flow field for low back pressure. The intensity of the shock wave generated at the exit of the isolator depends on the back pressure at the exit of the combustor and this in turn affects the pressure distribution on the upper wall of the combustor.