Predicting Non-Ideal Effects from the Diaphragm Opening Process in Shock Tubes

TL;DR

This paper investigates how diaphragm opening dynamics affect shock wave conditions in shock tubes, developing new predictive correlations to improve accuracy in high-temperature and high-speed flow experiments.

Contribution

It introduces novel correlations that incorporate diaphragm rupture profiles and opening times to better predict shock parameters in shock tube experiments.

Findings

Diaphragm opening rate significantly influences shock Mach number.

New correlations accurately predict shock attenuation and pressure rise.

Diaphragm rupture profile classification improves shock parameter modeling.

Abstract

Shock tubes are instrumental in studying high-temperature kinetics and simulating high-speed flows. They swiftly elevate the thermodynamic conditions of test gases, making them ideal for examining rapid chemical reactions and generating high-enthalpy flows for aerodynamic research. However, non-ideal effects, stemming from factors like diaphragm opening processes and viscous effects, can significantly influence thermodynamic conditions behind the shock wave. This study investigates the impact of various diaphragm opening patterns on the shock parameters near the driven section end-wall. Experiments were conducted using helium and argon as driver and driven gases, respectively, at pressures ranging from 1.32 to 2.09 bar and temperatures from 1073 to 2126 K behind the reflected shock. High-speed imaging captured different diaphragm rupture profiles, classified into four distinct types based on their dynamics. Results indicate that the initial stages of diaphragm opening, including the rate and profile of opening, play crucial roles in resulting incident shock Mach number and test time. A sigmoid function was employed to fit the diaphragm opening profiles, allowing for accurate categorization and analysis. New correlations were developed to predict the incident shock attenuation rate and post-shock pressure rise, incorporating parameters such as diaphragm opening time, rupture profile constants, and normalized experimental Mach number. The results emphasize the importance of considering diaphragm rupture dynamics in shock tube experiments to achieve accurate predictions of shock parameters.