Bora O. Cakir, Guillaume Grossir, Sébastien Paris, Bayindir H. Saracoglu
DOI Number XXX-YYY-ZZZ
Conference Number HiSST-2022-409
The operational map of the H3 Mach 6 blowdown wind tunnel, operated at the von Karman Institute for
Fluid Dynamics (VKI), is extended towards lower Mach numbers. The main characteristics of the present
wind tunnel facility are first reviewed and their performance restrictions are analyzed. Accordingly, the
operating regimes and the corresponding performance characteristics of the supersonic ejector is in-
vestigated as it is identified to be the most critical component for achieving the desired modifications.
Then, the design methodology of a new contoured axisymmetric nozzle enabling operation at Mach 5
and high Reynolds numbers is reported. The design space for the new nozzle is analyzed by means
of a parametric study for the nozzle contour and an optimum set of parameters that yields the best
performances are identified (core flow diameter, Reynolds number). The design space is confined in
order to meet the different design constraints associated with the existing framework (i.e. dimensional
restrictions, ejectable mass flow rates, heating requirements). Finally, Navier-Stokes computations of
the flow development over the newly designed Mach 5 nozzle are performed to serve as an estimate of
the expected radial and axial flow uniformity within the core flow.