MHD Flow Control of Oblique Shock Waves Around Ramps in Low-temperature Supersonic Flows

This article is devoted to experimental study on the control of the oblique shock wave around the ramp in a low-temperature supersonic flow by means of the magnetohydrodynamic(MHD) flow control technique. The purpose of the experiments is to take advantage of MHD interaction to weaken the oblique shock wave strength by changing the boundary flow characteristics around the ramp. Plasma columns are generated by pulsed direct current(DC) discharge, the magnetic fields are generated by Nd-Fe-B rare-earth permanent magnets and the oblique shock waves in supersonic flow are generated by the ramp. The Lorentz body force effect of MHD interaction on the plasma-induced airflow velocity is verified through particle image velocimetry(PIV) measurements. The experimental results from the supersonic wind tunnel indicate that the MHD flow control can drastically change the flow characteristics of the airflow around the ramp and decrease the ratio of the Pitot pressure after shock wave to that before it by up to 19. 66%, which leads to the decline in oblique shock wave strength. The oblique shock waves in front of the ramp move upstream by the action of the Lorentz body force. The discharge characteristics are analyzed and the MHD interaction time and consumed energy are determined with the help of the pulsed DC discharge images. The interaction parameter corresponding to the boundary layer velocity can reach 1. 3 from the momentum conservation equation. The velocity of the plasma column in the magnetic field is much faster than that in the absence of magnetic field force. The plasma can strike the neutral gas molecules to transfer momentum and accelerate the flow around the ramp.