Study of Rectangular Underexpanded Microjets

Abstract

The underexpanded microjet emerging from a rectangular convergent nozzle with a high aspect ratio at the nozzle exit is investigated numerically using the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) simulation with the Menter's shear stress transport (SST) k-ω turbulence model. The simulation is performed at the nozzle pressure ratio of 5.0 to produce a strong shock and it is validated by a comparison with a rainbow schlieren picture of the microjet. The three-dimensional structure of the shock-containing rectangular microjet is demonstrated using the isopycnic surface and bright-field schlieren representations.