CFD Study on the Isolator Performance of a Dual-Mode Scramjet

As one of the most promising propulsive systems in the future, the dual-mode scramjet has drawn the attention of many researchers. Detailed flow features concerned with the isolator play the important role in the dual-mode scramjet. The two-dimensional numerical model has been established to replicate the generic features of the dual-mode scramjet. Numerical results have been compared with the experimental results for validation. Overall pressure distribution shows quite good agreement with the experimental result. The constant-area variable-length isolator followed by a diffuser section has been researched in this study. The cases of isolator lengths from 8.7 to 20.7 show higher maximum back pressure than other cases. The option of optimal isolator length not only depends on maximum back pressure but also on total pressure loss in the isolator. In conclusion, the optimal isolator length (L/H th ) is 12.7 in this study.