Non-equilibrium flow through a nozzle

Abstract

Vibrationally relaxing flow through a nozzle is examined in the case when the amount of energy in the lagging mode is small. It is shown that there exists a ‘boundary-layer’ region in which relatively large departures from equilibrium occur. The position of this region is given by the type of criterion that has previously been used to predict the onset of ‘freezing’. An analytical solution for the distribution of the vibrational energy in the nozzle is obtained for a particular nozzle geometry, and an expression for the final asymptotic ‘frozen’ value of the vibrational energy far downstream is found. This asymptotic solution can be obtained from conditions at the ‘freezing’ point provided a suitable boundary condition is applied there.