Shock wave reflection from the axis of symmetry in a nonuniform flow with the formation of a circulatory flow zone

Two supersonic axisymmetric flows, in which the incidence of a shock wave on the axis of symmetry leads to the formation of return (circulatory) flow zones, are numerically modeled. The first flow is of the wake type with a ram pressure deficit in the vicinity of the axis of symmetry. The numerical results obtained are in qualitative and quantitative agreement with the available experimental data. The second flow is generated by a hypersonic spherically-symmetric source placed on the axis of a cylindrical channel. An analysis of the solutions obtained, together with their comparison with the literature data, suggests that the formation of the above-mentioned circulatory flow zones is physical, rather than computational, in nature. There is also reason to believe that the phenomenon under consideration is hydrodynamic, rather than dissipative, in nature.