Characterization of a Dual-Mode Scramjet Combustor via Stereoscopic Particle Image Velocimetry

The following research paper presents an up-to-date status of the testing of a Dual-Mode Scramjet (DMSJ) model which is experimentally operated at UVa’s Aerospace Research Laboratory. The optical technique Stereoscopic Particle Image Velocimetry (SPIV) is applied to the combustor of the DMSJ with a ramp fuel injector configuration. SPIV is utilized to measure the three-dimensional, combusting, turbulent flow field. In particular quantities such as instantaneous velocity, average velocity, vorticity, turbulence intensity, turbulent kinetic energy and Reynolds Stresses can be calculated. Measurements were conducted at two planes in the combustor downstream of fuel injection and at the exit plane of the DMSJ. Two different fuel conditions were chosen such that measurements are taken while the DMSJ is operating in scramjet and ramjet mode with the goal of comparing both modes of operation. These measurements will provide insight into the complex flowfield which will allow improvements to DMSJ computational tools.