Compressible flows of dense gases in boundary layers

The equations and numerics necessary for the analysis of dense-gas boundary-layer flows over arbitrarily shaped two-dimensional bodies are developed. The governing equations are derived from the Navier-Stokes-Fourier equations for a general fluid. A numerical method based on the second-order Davis-coupled scheme is employed to solve for mean flows over flat plates. Flows of nitrogen, sulfur hexafluoride, and toluene over adiabatic walls are examined; in addition, flows of nitrogen over heated and cooled walls are studied. Results indicate a breakdown of the standard correlations for the recovery factor and the Nusselt number due primarily to the substantial variations of the Prandtl number and the Chapman-Rubesin parameter throughout the boundary layer. The stability equations for two-dimensional inviscid disturbances in a general fluid are derived. The temporal stability of the mean flows of nitrogen is subsequently examined using the generalized inflection-point criterion extracted from these equations. Results reveal significant variations from standard ideal-gas predictions including the existence of flows for which neither heating nor cooling of the wall has a stabilizing effect.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Engineering Mechanics

Department dc:contributor.department

Engineering Mechanics

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

1992

Author dc:creator

• Whitlock, Sarah Turner

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en

Dc Identifier Other

etd-03122009-041304

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/41499