Numerical Study on Subsonic-Supersonic Laval Nozzle Using MacCormack Scheme

Abstract

Abstract Due to the wide application of the Delaware nozzle in many fields, the flow characteristics of the subsonic-supersonic isentropic flow in the De-Laval nozzle are analyzed numerically. The flow in the nozzle can be simplified to a quasi-one-dimensional flow problem. First, the MacCormack format is employed to discretize the control equations in conservative form. Then, the results with and without artificial viscosity are compared. Grid independence is also discussed. The results show that the numerical solution and the theoretical solution agree very well, indicating that the numerical simulation results are very reliable. In addition, a higher pressure will reduce the peak and valley values of Mach number, pressure, density, temperature and velocity in the nozzle, and these extreme values of subsonic supersonic isentropic nozzle appear earlier. Additionally, the shock wave is accurately captured, and the shock wave is behind the throat. This research is of great significance to understand the flow characteristics in the nozzle.