Computation and experimental validation of N_{2}-CH_{4}-Ar mixture flows behind normal shock wave

Different vibration-dissociation-vibration coupling models have been used to compute the nonequilibrium N-CH-Ar mixture flow behind a normal shock wave. A three-temperature model was used and the diffuse nature of vibrational relaxation at high temperatures was accounted for. The numerical results obtained with the Treanor and Marrone model (preferential or non preferential) and the Park model of vibration-dissociation-vibration coupling are compared. These results show that the temperatures and the concentrations are mainly affected by the value of the characteristic temperature U in the preferential model of Marrone and Treanor. An assessment of the more realistic model was realized by comparing numerical results with shock tube experiments. The influence of argon addition on the nonequilibrium emission of CN behind the shock wave was also numerically studied and compared to experimental measurements. Received 1 September 1995 / Accepted 10 December 1996