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Hypersonic wind tunnel Cologne (H2K)

Nozzle and test chamber of the H2K hypersonic wind tunnel

Components of the hypersonic wind tunnel H2K

Operating map of the hypersonic wind tunnel H2K

Heater for the heating of an secondary air flow for plume tests

Description

The H2K is a „Blow-Down“ wind tunnel with a free jet test section. It uses contoured, axially symmetrical and replaceable nozzles. For aerodynamic testing nozzles for Mach numbers of 4.8, 5.3, 6.0, 7.0, 8.7 and 11.2 are available. For aerothermal tests on probes smaller nozzles with Mach numbers of 3.0 and 5.0 are also in use.

In order to achieve the pressure ratio required for the build-up of the nozzle flow for approx. 30 seconds, the pressure in the test chamber is reduced by a vacuum sphere. Due to the large expansion of the air in the nozzle, its static temperature decreases significantly. To prevent condensation of air particles and for tests at high temperatures, the air is preheated. Eight electric heaters with a maximum electrical power of 5 MW heat the air up to 1100 K. Depending on the test set-up, between 8 and 10 tests per day can be carried out.

Application areas

• Simulation of the air flow around models of future spacecrafts at Mach numbers of between 4.8 and 11.2.
• Measurement of aerodynamic and aerothermodynamic loads on complete hypersonic flight configurations and their components.
• Investigations on the interaction of hot plume nozzles flows with the external base flow.

Measurement techniques

• Force/moment measurements with 6-component DMS based balances.
• Pressure distribution measurements.
• Temperature and heat flux measurements with thermocouples and infrared cameras.
• Flow visualisation by means of Schlieren optics and oil flow method (up to 150 kHz).
• Determination of dynamic derivatives with the free and forced oscillation methods.