This paper focuses on the influence of ramp locations upstream of a strut-based scramjet combustor under reacting flow conditions that are numerically investigated. In contrast, a computational study is adopted using Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) equations with the Shear Stress Transport (SST) k-ω turbulence model. The numerical results of the Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt or German Aerospace Centre (DLR) scramjet model are validated with the reported experimental values that show compliance within the range, indicating that the adopted simulation method can be extended for other investigations as well. The performance of the ramps in the strut-based scramjet combustor is analyzed based on parameters such as wall pressures, combustion efficiency and total pressure loss at various axial locations of the combustor. From the numerical shadowgraph, more shock interactions are observed upstream of the strut injection region for the ramp cases, which decelerates the flow downstream, and additional shock reflections with less intensity are also noticed when compared with the DLR scramjet model. The shock reflection due to the ramps enhances the hydrogen distribution in the spatial direction. The ignition delay is noticed for ramp combustors due to the deceleration of flow compared to the baseline strut only scramjet combustor. However, a higher flame temperature is observed with the ramp combustor. Because more shock interactions arise from the ramps, a marginal increase in the total pressure loss is observed for ramp combustors when compared to the baseline model.

Cavity plays a significant role in scramjet combustors to enhance mixing and flame holding of supersonic streams. In this study, the characteristics of axisymmetric cavity with varying aft wall angles in a non-reacting supersonic flow field are experimentally investigated. The experiments are conducted in a blow-down type supersonic flow facility. The facility consists of a supersonic nozzle followed by a circular cross sectional duct. The axisymmetric cavity is incorporated inside the duct. Cavity aft wall is inclined with two consecutive angles. The performance of the aft wall cavities are compared with rectangular cavity. Decreasing aft wall angle reduces the cavity drag due to the stable flow field which is vital for flame holding in supersonic combustor. Uniform mixing and gradual decrease in stagnation pressure loss can be achieved by decreasing the cavity aft wall angle.

The effective means of air fuel mixing and flame holding can be achieved by incorporating cavity in supersonic combustor. Understanding the complex flow field of cavity flow is essential for the design of supersonic combustor. An attempt is made to understand the characteristics of supersonic flow past axisymmetric cavity, and a series of nonreacting experiments are carried out in a blow-down type supersonic flow facility. The facility consists of a supersonic nozzle, issues a flow Mach number of 1.80 into a circular cross sectional supersonic combustor in which axisymmetric cavity is placed. Cavity of two consecutive aft wall angles is the key parameter for the study. The performance of the cavity is investigated based on the static pressure measurement, momentum flux distribution at the exit plane of the combustor, and the stagnation pressure loss of the flow. Wall static pressure distribution revealed that pressure increases with decrease in the secondary aft wall angle below 45° due to stronger recompression of shear layers. Moreover, decreasing primary aft wall angle provides a uniform mixing profile along with decrease in stagnation pressure loss across the combustor.