Comprehensive Numerical Analysis of Mixing Characteristics in a Scramjet Combustor Utilizing Multi-Pylon Configurations

The pylon has been identified as a highly promising method for enhancing mixing efficiency in scramjet combustors. This work systematically assessed the impact of spanwise, streamwise, and oblique multi-pylon combinations in a supersonic cold flow through numerical simulations, employing pylon-aided...

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Main Authors: Xuefeng Xia, Zhensheng Sun, Yingyang Wang, Yu Hu, Hongfu Qiang, Yujie Zhu, Yin Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Aerospace
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/12/3/173
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author Xuefeng Xia
Zhensheng Sun
Yingyang Wang
Yu Hu
Hongfu Qiang
Yujie Zhu
Yin Zhang
author_facet Xuefeng Xia
Zhensheng Sun
Yingyang Wang
Yu Hu
Hongfu Qiang
Yujie Zhu
Yin Zhang
author_sort Xuefeng Xia
collection DOAJ
description The pylon has been identified as a highly promising method for enhancing mixing efficiency in scramjet combustors. This work systematically assessed the impact of spanwise, streamwise, and oblique multi-pylon combinations in a supersonic cold flow through numerical simulations, employing pylon-aided ethylene fuel injection under low dynamic pressure conditions. The Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equations with the SST k-ω turbulence model are applied during the simulation. Numerical results reveal that, in comparison to the streamwise combination, the spanwise combination exhibits superior flow field characteristics in terms of mixing efficiency, penetration depth, and total pressure loss. For a given injection condition, an optimal distance between pylons exists in the spanwise combination, with the angle between two pylons having minimal influence on mixing efficiency. The oblique multi-pylon combination yields poorer mixing enhancement efficiency and fuel penetration but incurs less total pressure loss in the near field when compared to the spanwise combination. Additionally, the oblique multi-pylon combination demonstrates enhanced mixing efficiency further downstream of the injector than the spanwise combination. This investigation into fuel injection schemes based on multi-pylon combinations offers valuable insights for the structural design of scramjet engines.
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issn 2226-4310
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series Aerospace
spelling doaj-art-3ca7b7721daa46c7a254a98f6bb491dd2025-08-20T02:11:21ZengMDPI AGAerospace2226-43102025-02-0112317310.3390/aerospace12030173Comprehensive Numerical Analysis of Mixing Characteristics in a Scramjet Combustor Utilizing Multi-Pylon ConfigurationsXuefeng Xia0Zhensheng Sun1Yingyang Wang2Yu Hu3Hongfu Qiang4Yujie Zhu5Yin Zhang6Xi’an Research Institute of High-Tech, Xi’an 710025, ChinaXi’an Research Institute of High-Tech, Xi’an 710025, ChinaEquipment Management and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Engineering School, Air Force Engineering University, Xi’an 710051, ChinaXi’an Research Institute of High-Tech, Xi’an 710025, ChinaXi’an Research Institute of High-Tech, Xi’an 710025, ChinaXi’an Research Institute of High-Tech, Xi’an 710025, ChinaXi’an Research Institute of High-Tech, Xi’an 710025, ChinaThe pylon has been identified as a highly promising method for enhancing mixing efficiency in scramjet combustors. This work systematically assessed the impact of spanwise, streamwise, and oblique multi-pylon combinations in a supersonic cold flow through numerical simulations, employing pylon-aided ethylene fuel injection under low dynamic pressure conditions. The Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equations with the SST k-ω turbulence model are applied during the simulation. Numerical results reveal that, in comparison to the streamwise combination, the spanwise combination exhibits superior flow field characteristics in terms of mixing efficiency, penetration depth, and total pressure loss. For a given injection condition, an optimal distance between pylons exists in the spanwise combination, with the angle between two pylons having minimal influence on mixing efficiency. The oblique multi-pylon combination yields poorer mixing enhancement efficiency and fuel penetration but incurs less total pressure loss in the near field when compared to the spanwise combination. Additionally, the oblique multi-pylon combination demonstrates enhanced mixing efficiency further downstream of the injector than the spanwise combination. This investigation into fuel injection schemes based on multi-pylon combinations offers valuable insights for the structural design of scramjet engines.https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/12/3/173scramjet combustorethylene fuelmulti-pylonmixing efficiencynumerical analysis
spellingShingle Xuefeng Xia
Zhensheng Sun
Yingyang Wang
Yu Hu
Hongfu Qiang
Yujie Zhu
Yin Zhang
Comprehensive Numerical Analysis of Mixing Characteristics in a Scramjet Combustor Utilizing Multi-Pylon Configurations
Aerospace
scramjet combustor
ethylene fuel
multi-pylon
mixing efficiency
numerical analysis
title Comprehensive Numerical Analysis of Mixing Characteristics in a Scramjet Combustor Utilizing Multi-Pylon Configurations
title_full Comprehensive Numerical Analysis of Mixing Characteristics in a Scramjet Combustor Utilizing Multi-Pylon Configurations
title_fullStr Comprehensive Numerical Analysis of Mixing Characteristics in a Scramjet Combustor Utilizing Multi-Pylon Configurations
title_full_unstemmed Comprehensive Numerical Analysis of Mixing Characteristics in a Scramjet Combustor Utilizing Multi-Pylon Configurations
title_short Comprehensive Numerical Analysis of Mixing Characteristics in a Scramjet Combustor Utilizing Multi-Pylon Configurations
title_sort comprehensive numerical analysis of mixing characteristics in a scramjet combustor utilizing multi pylon configurations
topic scramjet combustor
ethylene fuel
multi-pylon
mixing efficiency
numerical analysis
url https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/12/3/173
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