MAE 298 SEMINAR: Hypersonic Viscous Aerothermochemistry - External Aerothermodynamics and Scramjet Fuel-Air Mixing

Abstract: Current national interests in hypersonic flight provide motivation for accurate simulation of high-speed and propulsive flows, where combined viscous and high temperature gas effects are leading scientific challenges that limit system efficiencies and thermal management. The purpose of this presentation is to describe the elements of our approach, which is aimed at providing new physical understanding, mathematical treatments and experimental discovery for high-speed viscous flows with nonequilibrium aerothermochemistry. First, an overview of research challenges associated with hypersonic viscous flow is provided. Second, mathematical treatments founded in physics-based transport are presented. Third, test infrastructure development at Texas A&M University will also be described, with a preview into future capabilities. Fourth, example problems are described, which include (1) Reynolds stress transport equation modeling and experimentation for hypersonic flows with pressure gradients, (2) energy flux transport modeling and experimentation for hypersonic flows in thermal nonequilibrium, and (3) modeling, control and experimentation of supersonic jet interaction flows. The presentation is concluded with a preview into the ongoing high enthalpy modeling and experimentation efforts.

Bio: Rodney Bowersox currently serves as senior associate dean for research in the College of Engineering at Texas A&M University and deputy director of the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station, which is a state agency focused on applied research, economic development and workforce development. He is a Texas A&M University Regents Professor, Wisenbaker Chair of Engineering, and professor of aerospace engineering. He served as department head of aerospace engineering (2012-2020). His research interests are in theoretical and experimental aerothermochemistry, with applications in hypersonic flight, propulsion and planetary entry. He is the founding director of the Texas A&M National Aerothermochemistry and Hypersonic Flight Laboratory, and he is leading the development of the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station Hypersonic Wind Tunnel Project. He is a former member of the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board and a recipient of the DoD Vannevar Faculty Fellowship. He is a fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering.