Laminar boundary layer separation at a fin-body junction in a hypersonic flow

Planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) imaging was performed to visualize the fin bow shock, separation shock, viscous shear layer and recirculation region of the flowfield at the junction of a blunt fin and a flat plate. Making use of the temperature dependence of the PLIF technique, images were made sensitive to temperature to provide qualitative information on the flowfield. The PLIF technique was also used as the basis for a flow-tagging technique, making it possible to measure a velocity component and to demonstrate the reverse flow of the separated region. Flow visualisation of the plane of symmetry allowed determination of the point of boundary layer separation, the angle of the separation shock and the bow shock standoff distance. These parameters were compared with predictions made by computational fluid dynamic simulations of the flowfield. Good agreement between theory and experiment was achieved. Comparisons between theoretical and experimental velocity measurements showed good agreement. Received 17 October 2000 / Accepted 13 November 2000