Effect of heat transfer on the stability of compressible boundary layers (Q1192465)

The effect of heat transfer on the spatial stability of compressible boundary layers is investigated using a formulation that accounts for variable-fluid properties of both the mean-flow and stability problems as well as a constant Prandtl number formulation. It is found that heat transfer is more effective in stabilizing or destabilizing flows at low Mach numbers than at high Mach numbers. Cooling always stabilizes first- mode waves and destabilizes second-mode waves. Cooling increases the peak amplifications of second-mode waves and shifts them towards higher frequencies. The least stable second-mode wave remains two-dimensional in the presence of heat transfer.