Critical Review of Stagnation Point Heat Transfer Theory

Abstract : The discrepancy between the bulk enthalpy obtained from an arc chamber heat balance and the test section bulk enthalpy derived from stagnation point heat transfer measurements is investigated. Free stream turbulence is a possible cause of discrepancy. Copper particle impingement may also be a possible cause if the copper mass loading is greater than 0.1%. Enthalpy fluctuations, radial enthalpy gradients, chemical nonequilibrium, swirl flow, and transport property uncertainties were all found to be unimportant.