The Boundary Layer on a Sharp Cone in High-Enthalpy Flow

Abstract

The boundary layer on a 5 deg. half-angle cone is studied by measurement of the heat flux distribution and by qualitative flow visualisation. In the laminar layer, heat flux levels are higher in air than in nitrogen because of a larger heat release from oxygen recombination at the wall. By varying the specific reservoir enthalpy in air and N_2, and from measurements in CO_2, it is found that real-gas effects stabilize the boundary layer.

Additional details