Effects of the jet-to-crossflow momentum ratio on a sonic jet into a supersonic crossflow

Numerical investigation of a transverse sonic jet injected into a supersonic crossflow was carried out using large-eddy simulation for a free-stream Mach number M = 1.6 and a Reynolds number Re = 1.38 x 10(5) based on the jet diameter. Effects of the jet-to-crossflow momentum ratio on various fundamental mechanisms dictating the intricate flow phenomena, including flow structures, turbulent characters and frequency behaviors, have been studied. The complex flow structures and the relevant flow features are discussed to exhibit the evolution of shock structures, vortical structures and jet shear layers. The strength of the bow shock increases and the sizes of the barrel shock and Mach disk also increase with increasing momentum ratio. Turbulent characters are clarified to be closely related to the flow structures. The jet penetration increases with the increase of the momentum ratio. Moreover, the dominant frequencies of the flow structures are obtained using spectral analysis. The results obtained in this letter provide physical insight in understanding the mechanisms relevant to this complex flow (C) 2011 The Chinese Society of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics.