On the mechanism of flow evolution in shock-tube experiments

Highlights: • A principle mechanism of temperature non-uniformities formation in shock-tube reactor is the boundary layer instability. • A key role in ignition kernels formation belongs to the interaction of reflected shock wave with roller vortices. • The origins of roller vortices are related with intrinsic boundary layer instability development behind the incident shock. • High-precision numerical simulations show similarity of the flow development in the tubes of round and square cross sections. - Abstract: The paper studies numerically the flow development behind the shock wave propagating inside the tube. The detailed analysis of the flow patterns behind the shock wave allows determination of the gas-dynamical origins of the temperature non-uniformities responsible for the subsequent localized start of chemical reactions in the test mixture. In particular, it is shown that the temperature field structure is determined mainly by the mechanisms of boundary layer instability development. The kinetic energy dissipation related to the flow deceleration inside boundary layer results in local heating of the test gas. At the same time, the heat losses to the tube wall lead to the cooling of the gas. Therefore the temperature stratification takes place on the scales of the boundary layer. As soon as the shock wave reflected from the end-wall of the tube interacts with the developed boundary layer the localized hot regions arise at a certain distance from the end wall. The position of these hot regions is associated with the zones of shock wave interaction with roller vortices at the margin between the boundary layer and the bulk flow. Formulated mechanism of the temperature field evolution can be used to explain the peculiarities of non-steady shock-induced ignition of combustible mixtures with moderate ignition delay times, where the ignition starts inside localized kernels at distance from the end wall.