On the theory of supersonic inviscid flow separation in gasdynamic problems

Abstract

A general schematic flow representation that explains the mechanism of inviscid gas separation in time-dependent and three-dimensional gas flows is presented. The scenario of gas flow separation from a body surface or a mixing layer is described as a vortex which induces in the flowfield a velocity opposing to that of the main flow, thus decelerating it. Within the framework of this scenario the analytical conditions of separation are obtained for conical and self-similar gas flows which coincide with the results of experimental and numerical simulations.