Question

Normal shock diffuser is more efficient than the oblique shock diffuser.

(a) True

(b) False

I got this question in an internship interview.

My doubt stems from Compressible Flow through Diffusers topic in chapter Compressible Flow through Nozzles, Diffusers and Wind Tunnels of Aerodynamics

Answer 1

Correct option is (b) False

Best explanation: The goal of the diffuser is to reduce the flow velocity with small total pressure loss. If we reduce the incoming supersonic flow through a series of oblique shock followed by a weak normal shock wave, leads to lower total pressure loss compared to reducing the incoming supersonic flow to subsonic using one strong normal shock.