Three dimensional, stratified gas flows past an obstacle

An “ N-body” computer code is developed to study supersonic gas flows in a rarefied, strongly stratified medium. Results of numerical simulations both with and without an obstacle obstructing the flow are presented, focusing upon three dimensional effects. In particular, the systematic gas motions and density perturbations induced by a flat plate whose normal vector is parallel to the direction of umperturbed flow and perpendicular to the stratification gradient are discussed. Such a plate can be regarded as a useful approximation to a scoop in a gas centrifuge.