Chemical nonequilibrium effects in hypersonic aerodynamics

Abstract

The influence of chemical nonequilibrium on hypersonic flows is considered in the following cases: (a) Recombination and dissociation in the boundary layer. It is pointed out that, since in the región of máximum convective heating, the outer inviscid flow is in equilibrium, departures from equilibrium occur only cióse to the wall, and this makes possible the obtention of a simple analytical solution in which the effects of arbitrary reaction rates, body shapes, and flight regimes are clearly shown. (b) Chemical reactions between the air constituents and any injected or vaporized material from the wall. In this case the assumption is made that the chemical reaction is so fast that it takes place in a very thin región. This simplifies the obtention of an analytical solution for finite reaction rate. A criterium for fíame extinction is given.