Effect of Reynolds Number on Laminar Separation of a Supersonic Stream

Accurate numerical solutions for both interacting boundary-layer and asymptotic triple-deck equations are presented for a closed separation region generated by a compression wedge on a flat plate in supersonic flow. Interacting boundary-layer solutions were obtained for a range of Reynolds numbers from Re-lQ (where experimental verification is obtained) to Re10 (where agreement with triple-deck solutions is reached). These results provide insight into the development of the separating flow structure as the shear-layer thickness collapses with increasing Reynolds number. It is shown that the triple-deck model identifies the dominant length scales and important correlation parameters, and that the interacting boundary-layer model correctly approaches a triple-deck solution in the limit /fe-~oo, while producing accurate results at finite Reynolds number.