VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY

HO CHI MINH UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

AERODYNAMICS 2 - COMPRESSIBLE AERODYNAMICS

Assignment: Group Project 3
Class Code: TR3011
Topic: Investigation of Supersonic Wind Tunnel
Class CC01 - Group 5 - Semester 2023 - 2024
Advisor: Dr. Le Thi Hong Hieu

Student’s name Student’s ID

Trần Minh Quang 2114521
Lê Minh Tiến 2153884
Phạm Hữu Quyền 2152934

Ho Chi Minh City – 2024

 Task distribution table

Students’ Students’
Profile’s picture Contribution
Name ID

Diffuser of
Trần Minh Quang 2114521 supersonic wind
tunnel

Test section of
Lê Minh Tiến 2153884 supersonic wind
tunnel

Nozzle of
Phạm Hữu Quyền 2152934 supersonic wind
tunnel
 Table of content

Contents
A. Basic definition of supersonic wind tunnel ............................................................................. 4
B. Description of supersonic wind tunnel ................................................................................... 4
I. Nozzle ................................................................................................................................. 5
1. Definition:....................................................................................................................... 5
2. Choked condition: ............................................................................................................ 5
3. Application ..................................................................................................................... 6
II. Test section .................................................................................................................... 6
1. Definition:....................................................................................................................... 6
2. Theoretical background: ................................................................................................... 6
III. Diffuser .......................................................................................................................... 7
1. Definition and application: ................................................................................................ 7
2. From ideal diffuser to real diffuser ..................................................................................... 8
a. For ideal diffuser ......................................................................................................... 8
b. The alternative solution - a real diffuser.......................................................................... 8
c. A closer look again of the diffuser in the supersonic wind tunnel ...................................... 10
d. Two throat diffuser ..................................................................................................... 10
e. Efficiency of the diffuser .............................................................................................. 11
Reference .................................................................................................................................... 12
A. Basic definition of supersonic wind tunnel
Supersonic wind tunnels are specialised facilities designed to generate airflow
exceeding the speed of sound (Mach 1.2 to 5) for testing models of aircraft and
other objects.

Figure 1. The overall sketch of the supersonic wind tunnel

Figure 2. The overall shape of the supersonic wind tunnel in real life

B. Description of supersonic wind tunnel

I. Nozzle

1. Definition:
- A nozzle is a device that channels a fluid (liquid or gas) and accelerates it to a
higher velocity. It has a converging section where the flow area decreases,
followed by a diverging section where the flow area increases. This design is
based on the principle of Bernoulli's equation, which states that for an
incompressible fluid in steady flow, an increase in the speed of the fluid (kinetic
energy) is accompanied by a decrease in static pressure (potential energy).
2. Choked condition:
- Choked flow is a condition that occurs in compressible fluids (gases) when
the flow velocity reaches the speed of sound (Mach 1) at the narrowest part of
the nozzle, called the throat. This creates a limitation on the mass flow rate
through the nozzle, regardless of the pressure difference between the inlet and
outlet.
- During choked flow:
+ As the fluid flows through the converging section of the nozzle, its velocity
increases due to the decreasing flow area (Bernoulli's principle).
+ The pressure of the fluid also decreases as its velocity increases.
+ When the fluid reaches the throat, the flow velocity reaches Mach 1.
+ Any further decrease in downstream pressure will not increase the mass flow
rate through the nozzle because the fluid cannot accelerate beyond the speed
of sound within the nozzle.
- Choked flow is an important concept in compressible fluid dynamics and has
implications for the design and operation of various engineering systems,
such as jet engines and rocket engines.

Figure 3. The skecth of nozzle in the supersonic wind tunnel

 3. Application
- Jet engines and rocket engines: Nozzles are used to accelerate the hot exhaust
gases produced by combustion, generating thrust to propel the engine.
- Spray nozzles: These nozzles are used to create a fine spray of liquid, often
used in applications such as atomization, irrigation, and fuel injection.
- Venturi pumps: Nozzles are used in Venturi pumps to create a low-pressure
region, which can be used to lift fluids or entrain gases.

II. Test section

1. Definition:
- The test section is the part of the supersonic wind tunnel where the test model
is placed, and aerodynamic measurements are taken. It is typically designed to
allow controlled and uniform airflow at supersonic speeds over the model.
- Purpose: To simulate and study the effects of high-speed airflow on objects,
providing valuable data for aerodynamic design and analysis.

Figure 4. The skecth the test section in the supersonic wind tunnel

2. Theoretical background:
- Flow Characteristics: In the test section of a supersonic wind tunnel, airflow
is compressible, meaning density changes significantly with pressure and
temperature variations. This is unlike subsonic flow, where air is treated as
incompressible.
- Mach Number: The test section operates at Mach numbers greater than 1,
typically ranging from Mach 1.2 to Mach 5 for supersonic tunnels. The Mach
number determines the behaviour of shock waves and expansion fans within
the section.
III. Diffuser

1. Definition and application:

Figure 5. The sketch of the diffuser in the supersonic wind tunnel

A diffuser is a duct designed to slow down an incoming gas flow to a lower

velocity, the incoming flow can be subsonic or supersonic based on the
application.
Actually, a truly applicable diffuser is designed so that the loss in total pressure
through it is as little as possible.

Figure 6. The postion of the diffuser in the supersonic wind tunnel in real life
In the aeronautical field, the diffuser is commonly used in propulsion systems
such as air breathing engines or rocket engines. Moreover, the diffuser plays a
significant role in supersonic wind tunnel design.
2. From ideal diffuser to real diffuser
a. For ideal diffuser

Figure 7. The skecth of ideal diffuser with isentropic flow

• Assumption isentropic flow
𝑠1 = 𝑠2 and 𝑃01 = 𝑃02
• An ideal diffuser is one in which the incoming flow is slowed by an
isentropic compression to lower velocities. The supersonic flow entering the
diffuser at 𝑀1 is isentropically compressed in a convergent duct to Mach 1 at
the throat (𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 = 𝐴∗ ) and is then further isentropically compressed in a
divergent duct to a low subsonic Mach number at the exit.
• However, in reality the incoming flow will generate oblique shock waves in
the convergent part of the diffuser. Moreover, due to viscosity, there will be
entropy increase within the boundary layer in the wall of the diffuser. Thus,
an ideal diffuser can not be constructed for engineering applications.
b. The alternative solution - a real diffuser
● An actual supersonic diffuser slows down an incoming flow by a series of
reflected oblique shocks in the convergent section and the throat (usually in
the form of a constant area section).
 Figure 8. The sketch of a real diffuser with series of oblique shock and weak
normal shock’s formation

• The main aerodynamic principle is that, total pressure drop through a series of
oblique shock wave is less than through a normal shock wave. Thus, the
engineers need to expand the diffuser length from the throat in order to create
a series of oblique shock waves, which can then lead to a smaller drop in total
pressure
• A series of oblique shock waves is created by the reflected shocks starting in
the convergent section. Moreover, the interaction of the reflected shock wave
with the viscous wall weakens the strength of the reflected oblique shock
waves. Finally, this process ends up with a weak normal shock wave at the
end of the constant area section, then the flow through this normal shock
becomes subsonic flow and decelerates until the end of the diverging section.
However in this case, the flow experienced a smaller drop in total pressure,
which satisfies the requirement.

Some important points:

o Interaction of shock waves with the viscous flows near the wall weakens
and diffuses the reflected shock patterns, which ends up in the form of a
weak normal shock wave at the end of the constant area throat.
o The subsonic flow downstream of the throat is subsequently slowed
down via a diverging section.
o As the flow is no longer isentropic, the entropy at the exit is higher and
the total pressure is lower.
o We have: 𝑠2 > 𝑠1 and 𝑃02 < 𝑃01
 • The requirement in the design of the diffuser is that designing the converging
section, the constant area section and the diverging section in order to achieve
the exit Mach number with the least drop in total pressure. In other words, we
𝑃02
try to keep as close to 1 as possible
𝑃02
c. A closer look again of the diffuser in the supersonic wind tunnel

Figure 9. A general sketch of the supersonic wind tunnel with nozzle, test
section and diffuser

• Replacing the normal shock diffuser with an oblique shock diffuser, we have
a converging-diverging diffuser which slows the flow down to a low subsonic
speed.
• This arrangement is referred to as a supersonic wind tunnel. The main source
of pressure loss in a supersonic wind tunnel is the diffuser.
• Reducing the velocity of a supersonic flow progressively through consecutive
oblique shocks to a low supersonic value and further reducing it to subsonic
speeds across a normal shock results in a smaller drop in total pressure
compared to a single strong normal shock.
• An oblique shock diffuser is usually more efficient than a normal shock
diffuser. However, the presence of shock wave–boundary layer interactions
and the skin friction exerted on the surface adds to inefficiencies. Thus, we
need to consider the efficiency of the diffuser in later part
d. Two throat diffuser
● As seen from the figure, the supersonic wind tunnel has two throats:
‐ Nozzle throat with area 𝐴𝑡,1 called the first throat
‐ Diffuser throat with area 𝐴𝑡,2 called the second throat
● For steady flow through the wind tunnel: 𝑚 = 𝜌1∗ 𝑉1∗ 𝐴𝑡,1 = 𝜌2∗ 𝑉2∗ 𝐴𝑡,2
● Since the thermodynamic state of the gas is irreversibly changed when
going through shock waves, the properties at the two locations will differ
and thus the two throats must have different areas.
● If we assume sonic flow through 1 and 2, we can have
 𝜌1∗ 𝑉1∗ 𝐴𝑡,1 = 𝜌2∗ 𝑉2∗ 𝐴𝑡,2 ⇔ 𝜌1∗ 𝐴𝑡,1 = 𝜌2∗ 𝐴𝑡,2
𝑃1∗ 𝑃2∗ 𝑃01
⇔ 𝐴 = 𝐴 ⇔ 𝑃1∗ 𝐴𝑡,1 = 𝑃2∗ 𝐴𝑡,2 ⇔ 𝛾 𝐴𝑡,1
𝑅𝑇1∗ 𝑡,1 𝑅𝑇2∗ 𝑡,2 𝛾 − 1 𝛾−1
(1 + )
2
𝑃02
= 𝛾 𝐴𝑡,2
𝛾 − 1 𝛾−1
(1 + )
2
⇔ 𝑃01 𝐴𝑡1 = 𝑃02 𝐴𝑡,2
● As the total pressure always decreases across shock waves, 𝑃02 <𝑃01 , the
second throat must always be larger than the first throat, 𝐴𝑡,2 > 𝐴𝑡1
e. Efficiency of the diffuser
The efficiency of a diffuser can be evaluated based on several figures of merit.
The most commonly used definition (related to wind tunnel work) is based on the
comparison of the actual total pressure ratio across the diffuser
(𝑃02 /𝑃01 )𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 , with the total pressure ratio across a hypothetical normal
shock wave at the test section Mach number (𝑃02 /𝑃01 )𝑛𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑙 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑐𝑘 𝑎𝑡 𝑀𝑒
(𝑃02 /𝑃01 )𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙
𝜂𝑑 =
(𝑃02 /𝑃01 )𝑛𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑙 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑐𝑘 𝑎𝑡 𝑀𝑒

Figure 10. The graph illustrating the efficiency of diffuser

Reference
[2] Fundamental of Aerodynamics – John Anderson (sixth edition)
[1] The image of the supersonic wind tunnel access at
https://www.aerolab.com/aerolab-products/supersonic-wind-tunnels/
[3] Diffusers and Wind tunnels – 2020, Ansys