An experimental evaluation of shock wave strength and peak pressure in a conventional shock tube and a free-piston compressor

Abstract

The aim of this work is to provide a comparative experimental study on the performance of the conventional shock tube and a free-piston compressor. Experimental measurements of shock strength, peak pressure and surface temperature change of air-air as a driver/driven gas are then presented and compared with another set of experimental measurements using gas combination of He-air. The results provide very good estimates for the above mentioned parameters obtained after diaphragm rupture and also provide significant information on the role of the free piston in the facility operation conditions over the full length of the facility. Copyright © 2008 by ASME.