Numerical characterization of shock separation in a laboratory-scale nozzle

Abstract

The purpose of this work is to perform a CFD study of the free shock separation (FSS) in an overexpanded nozzle. The original contraction profile of the nozzle was numerically replaced by a set of curves, where the overall length was identical with the test-rig. For the baseline case, the static pressure and the separation location exhibited a good agreement with the experimental measurements, provided by the DLR. The Error-function contraction profile has revealed a relative displacement of 1.38% on the separation location in the core flow direction. In this case, there was an increase in the thrust coefficient, that has been improved up to 1.7% in comparison with the baseline nozzle design.