Shock tube

About: Shock tube is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 6963 publications have been published within this topic receiving 99372 citations.

Shock focusing in a planar convergent geometry: experiment and simulation

Abstract: The behaviour of an initially planar shock wave propagating into a linearly convergent wedge is investigated experimentally and numerically. In the experiment, a 25° internal wedge is mounted asymmetrically in a pressure-driven shock tube. Shock waves with incident Mach numbers in the ranges of 1.4–1.6 and 2.4–2.6 are generated in nitrogen and carbon dioxide. During each run, the full pressure history is recorded at fourteen locations along the wedge faces and schlieren images are produced. Numerical simulations performed based on the compressible Euler equations are validated against the experiment. The simulations are then used as an additional tool in the investigation. The linearly convergent geometry strengthens the incoming shock repeatedly, as waves reflected from the wedge faces cross the interior of the wedge. This investigation shows that aspects of this structure persist through multiple reflections and influence the nature of the shock-wave focusing. The shock focusing resulting from the distributed reflected waves of the Mach 1.5 case is distinctly different from the stepwise focusing at the higher incoming shock Mach number. Further experiments using CO_2 instead of N_2 elucidate some relevant real-gas effects and suggest that the presence or absence of a weak leading shock on the distributed reflections is not a controlling factor for focusing.

A shock tube study of the reaction of the hydroxyl radical with propane

Abstract: The rate coefficient for the reaction of the hydroxyl radical, OH, with propane has been measured at 1220 K in shock tube experiments, and a value of (1.58 ± 0.24) × 1013 cm3/mol s was obtained. This measured value is compared with previous experimental results and a transition-state theory calculation.

On the possibility of studying the converging Richtmyer–Meshkov instability in a conventional shock tube

Abstract: We propose to experimentally study, in cylindrical geometry, the interaction of an initially perturbed cylindrical gaseous interface with a converging shock wave. This interaction is commonly referred as the Richtmyer–Meshkov instability (RMI) which, in the present case, is in a cylindrical geometry. In order to achieve this goal, we use a conventional shock tube which is adapted to this geometry through a specifically designed convergent test section. Here, the first results are presented for an incident planar shock wave of Mach number 1.15 propagating through an adequately elliptical $$\hbox {air}/\hbox {SF}_6$$ interface. It curves into a cylindrical transmitted shock wave and then accelerates a second sinusoidally perturbed $$\hbox {SF}_6$$ /air interface. From analyzing schlieren photos and pressure histories, we validate this original approach and exhibit the great potential of this experimental method for studying the RMI induced by focusing shock waves.

Visualization of Wave Rotor Inner Flow Dynamics

Abstract: The design of a wave rotor requires an understanding of the pressure wave dynamics in the cells (rotor passages). The present paper describes a two-dimensional numerical simulation and an experimental visualization of the wave rotor compression process. First, a unique experimental apparatus with fixed cells and rotating ports was constructed for the visualization and direct measurements; this arrangement is opposite to the conventional setup. Next, experimental and numerical results were compared to verify the simulation modeling, particularly with regard to the propagation velocity of pressure waves in the cells. Last, the effects of gradually opening the cell to the ports and leakage through the clearance, which are considered to be dominant factors in the wave rotor operation, on the pressure wave dynamics were carefully investigated. The results showed that the gradual passage opening greatly influences the primary shock wave, whereas leakage mostly influences the reflected shock wave. Moreover, it was revealed that the leakage generates an extra pressure wave during the compression process due to the interaction between adjacent cells.

Comparative rate single‐pulse shock tube studies on the thermal decomposition of cyclohexene, 2,2,3‐trimethylbutane, isopropyl bromide, and ethylcyclobutane

Abstract: A check of the data from comparative rate single-pulse shock tube experiments have been carried out through the use of a new standard reaction, the decyclization reaction of ethylcyclobutane. The rate expressions for cyclohexene and 2,2,3-trimethylbutane have been found to be in excellent agreement with previously published results. Most of the small discrepancy that does exist is apparently due to the differences between the present and earlier (decomposition of isopropyl bromide) "standard" reaction. For the latter process, the present study yields These results confirm the correctness of previously published comparative rate single-pulse shock tube experiments. They demonstrate once again that for the decomposition of paraffin hydrocarbons, calculated preexponential factors are at least an order of magnitude higher than the directly measured number and that the accepted value of the heat of formation of t-butyl radicals ΔHf300(tC4H9·) = 29 kJ (6.8 kcals) is at least 10 kJ too low. Finally, attention is called to recent studies on neopentane decomposition in flow and static systems which are in complete agreement with the present conclusions.