Computational analysis of the wave motions in micro-shock tube flow

TLDR: In this paper, the wave propagation characteristics in a micro-shock tube under rarefied conditions using computational fluid dynamics methods were analyzed and the main objective of the present paper was to produce a detailed understanding on the wave propagations characteristics in the micro shock tube under different operating conditions.

Abstract: In recent times, shock tube flows have been widely employed in many micro-scale devices in the fields of propulsion technology, micro-heat engines, particle delivery systems, and so on. The very small length scales in such micro-shock tubes make the flow physics more complicated compared to the ordinary macro-shock tubes. The major differences in the flow features are the profound influences of wall effects and rarefaction effects. The rarefaction effect alters the boundary layer structure by imparting additional velocity and thermal gradients to the wall-bounded fluid. These phenomena can strongly affect the micro-shock tube flow characteristics such as shock–contact wave speeds, wave propagations, hot and cold zone properties. The main objective of the present work is to produce a detailed understanding on the wave propagation characteristics in a micro-shock tube under rarefied conditions using computational fluid dynamics methods. The shock–contact interface movement under different operating conditio...