Universal scaling parameter for a counter jet drag reduction technique in supersonic flows

The reduction in aerodynamic drag by injecting a gaseous jet from the nose of a blunt body into a supersonic stream is investigated numerically. The penetration of the jet into the supersonic flow modifies the shock structure around the body and creates a low pressure recirculation zone, thereby decreasing the wave drag significantly. Combining various theoretical estimates of different flow features and numerical simulations, we identify a universal parameter, called the jet to freestream momentum ratio (R-mA), which uniquely governs the drag on the blunt body. The momentum ratio fundamentally decides the penetration of the jet as well as the extent of low pressure envelope around the body. In addition, various influencing parameters reported in the literature are reviewed for different steady jet flow conditions. Furthermore, their limitations in regulating the flowfield are explained by correlating the facts with the jet to freestream momentum ratio. We perform the simulations for various combinations of physical and flow parameters of the jet and the freestream to show a universal dependence of drag on the momentum ratio. Published under license by AIP Publishing.