Analysis of a Low-Angle Annular Expander Nozzle

Abstract EN

An experimental and numerical analysis of a low-angle annular expander nozzle is presented to observe the variance in shock structure within the flow field.

A RANS-based axisymmetric numerical model was used to evaluate flow characteristics and the model validated using experimental pressure readings and schlieren images.

Results were compared with an equivalent converging-diverging nozzle to determine the capability of the wake region in varying the effective area of a low-angle design.

Comparison of schlieren images confirmed that shock closure occurred in the expander nozzle, prohibiting the wake region from affecting the area ratio.

The findings show that a low angle of deflection is inherently unable to influence the effective area of an annular supersonic nozzle design.