Coherent structure interactions in an unexcited coaxial jet

Based on a double triggering criterion, the axisymmetric and azimuthal structures within the initial region of an unexcited coaxial jet of mean velocity ratio of 0.3 (inner to outer) were recovered. Outer vortices, two trains of inner vortices and their amalgamation are found in the outer and inner mixing regions. Bifurcation of the amalgamated inner vortices occurs within the first two diameters of the jet and is responsible for the occurrence of the azimuthal structures in the inner jet region further downstream. Co-dominance of the symmetrical and azimuthal structures having different convection velocities is observed in the fully merged zone. Spatial separation between vortical structures and their relative vorticities are important parameters in affecting their convection velocities, growth and decay.The work was partly supported by a donation from Dr. Haking Wong and by a grant from the Hong Kong Research Grants Council.     

Active Control of Swirling Coaxial Jet Mixing with Manipulation of Large-Scale Vortical Structures

Large-scale vortical structures and associated mixing in methane/air swirling coaxial jets are actively controlled by manipulating the outer shear layer of the outer swirling coaxial jet with miniature flap actuators. In order to investigate the control mechanisms, stereoscopic particle image verocimetry (stereo-PIV) and plannar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) techniques are employed. It is found that intense vortex rings are produced in the outer shear layer in phase with the periodic flap motion regardless of the swirl number examined. The vortical structures in the inner shear layer, however, are strongly dependent on the swirl rate. This is because the central methane jet is accelerated by the negative axial pressure gradient, of which strength is determined by the swirl. As a result, the inner vortex formation is significantly suppressed at a higher swirl rate. On the other hand, at a relatively low swirl rate, the inner vortices are shed continuously and the methane jet is pinched off. This particular mode promotes the mixing of methane and air, so that the flammable mixture can be formed at an earlier stage of the jet flow development. In addition, the evolution of secondary streamwise vortices is prompted by the combination of the periodic vortex ring shedding and the swirl. They also contribute to the mixing enhancement in the downstream region.     

Eduction of vortical structures by pressure measurements in noncircular jets

Vortical structures in the noncircular jets excited at the interaction mode were educed by measuring fluctuating static pressure, and their characteristics were discussed in relation to the mixing mechanism of the noncircular jets. The contours of phase-average fluctuating pressure show clearly the vortical structures of the noncircular jets, which compare reasonably with those observed by the flow visualization experiments. The evolution of the vortical structures is characterized by partial merging, stretching and splitting to smaller vortices. The effects of the noncircular vortical structures on mixing were also discussed based on the quantitative measurements of the velocity fields, the results suggesting that the interactions of vortical structures in the noncircular jets are very effective to enhance mixing.     

Large eddy simulation of flows after a bluff body: Coherent structures and mixing properties

This paper performs large eddy simulations (LES) to investigate coherent structures in the flows after the Sydney bluff-body burner, a circular bluff body with an orifice at its center. The simulations are validated by comparison to existing experimental data. The Q function method is used to visualize the instantaneous vortex structures. Three kinds of structures are found, a cylindrical shell structure in the outer shear layer, a ring structure and some hairpin-like structures in the inner shear layer. An eduction scheme is employed to investigate the coherent structures in this flow. Some large streaks constituted by counter-rotating vortices are found in the outer shear layer and some well-organized strong structures are found in the inner shear layer. Finally, the influences of coherent structures on scalar mixing are studied and it is shown that scalar in the recirculation region is transported outward by coherent structures.     

Large-Eddy Simulations of Forced Three-Dimensional Impinging Jets

Large-eddy simulations of the flow field around twin three-dimensional impinging jets were carried out to simulate the near-ground hover configuration of a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft. Both the impinging jet and the upwash caused by the collision of the wall jets are modeled in this study. The evolution of the vortical structures in the impinging jet flow field, due to the introduction of axisymmetric and azimuthal perturbations at the jet exit, has been investigated. The vortical structures formed in the jet shear layer due to azimuthal forcing, show significant three-dimensional vortex stretching effects when compared to the structures formed during axisymmetric forcing. Breakdown of the large-scale structures into smaller vortices also occurs much earlier during azimuthal forcing. When compared to the upwash formed during axisymmetric forcing, the azimuthally perturbed jet forms an upwash that is less coherent and results in a weaker upload or lift-off force on the aircraft undersurface. Comparison with available experimental data indicates good agreement for the centerline velocity decay, the wall pressure variation and the phase speed of the vortical structures.     

Dynamical characteristics of coherent structure in the outer region of turbulence boundary layer

In the present paper the coherent structures in the outer region of turbulent boundary layer were investigated experimentally and analytically. From the observation of the flow field over smooth wall, rough wall and sand wave wall, it was found that the direct effect of wall on the flow structure can reachy ⁺¹≈100, and both lateral and vertical vortices exist in the outer region, but the coherent structures in the outer region are mainly the formation, development and decay of the large-scale lateral vortices. By experimental and dynamical analysis, some influence factors and their relations associated with the dynamical process of lateral vortices were deduced. The project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China     

Full-field measurements of self-excited oscillations in momentum-dominated helium jets

Flow structure of momentum-dominated helium jets discharged vertically into ambient air was investigated using a high-speed rainbow schlieren deflectometry (RSD) apparatus operated at up to 2,000 Hz. The operating parameters, i.e., Reynolds number and Richardson number were varied independently to examine the self-excited, flow oscillatory behavior over a range of experimental conditions. Measurements revealed highly periodic oscillations in the laminar region at a unique frequency as well as high regularity in the flow transition and initial turbulent regions. The buoyancy was shown to affect the oscillation frequency and the distance from the jet exit to the flow transition plane. Instantaneous helium concentration contours across the field of view revealed changes in the jet flow structure and the evolution of the vortical structures during an oscillation cycle. A cross-correlation technique was applied to track the vortices and to find their convection velocity. Time traces of helium concentration at different axial locations provided detailed information about the oscillating flow.     

Opposed round jets issuing into a small aspect ratio channel cross flow

Round jets (diameter D) discharging into a confined cross flow (dimension 3.16D × 21.05D) are investigated experimentally. Two configurations are considered: (1) a single jet (momentum flux ratio, J = 155) and (2) two opposed jets with two different momentum flux ratios (J = 60, and 155). A two-component laser-Doppler anemometer is used to make a detailed map of the normal stresses and mean velocities in the symmetry plane of the jets. In addition, smoke-wire and laser-sheet visualization are used to study the flow.

The rate of bending of the single confined jet is found to be higher than the rate of bending of an unconfined jet with the same momentum flux ratio. In the far field, the jet centerline velocity is observed to decay more slowly than the unconfined jet, indicating poor turbulent diffusion of linear momentum. Annular shear layer vortices are visualized on the upstream edge of the jet in the near field. In the far field, the flow visualization suggests that the jet loses its integrity and fragments into independent regions that are convected by the cross flow.

In the opposed jet configuration at the high momentum flux ratio (J = 155), the jets impinge in the center of the duct, and a pair of vortices is observed upstream of the impingement region. The flow visualization implies that the impingement vortices form quasi periodically and have a finite life span. In the impingement region, the jets are observed to penetrate alternately beyond the symmetry plane of the duct. In the two-jet configuration with J = 60, the jets do not impinge on each other owing to the higher rate of bending. Instead, the flow visualization indicates that the shear layers of the jets penetrate to the central region and periodically pinch off regions of the potential-like cross-flow fluid where they meet. The pinch-off regions of cross-flow fluid are convected by the turbulent flow for large distances, yet remain essentially unmixed.     

Characteristics and structure of turbulent 3D offset jets

Three-dimensional turbulent offset jets were investigated using a particle image velocimetry technique. The measurements were performed at three different exit Reynolds numbers and for four offset heights. The results in the early region of flow development clearly show significant effects of Reynolds number and offset height on the decay of maximum mean velocity and growth of the shear layer. On the contrary, the decay and spread rates were found to be nearly independent of offset height at larger downstream distances. The decay rates of 1.18 ± 0.03 as well as the spread rates of 0.055 ± 0.001 and 0.250 ± 0.005 obtained, respectively, in the wall-normal and lateral directions fall in the range of values reported in previous studies. The locations of the maximum mean velocities increased nearly linearly with streamwise distance in the self-similar region. Analysis from two-point velocity correlations revealed substantially larger structures in the outer layer and self-similar region than in the inner layer and developing region. It was also observed that the hairpin vortices in the inner regions of the wall jets are inclined at angles of 11.2° ± 0.6°, which are in good agreement with reported values in boundary layer studies.     

湍流的相干结构:推演方法和结果

本文讨论壁面湍流发展的相干结构的观点.在简要的历史文献综述后,我们回顾一些基本观点, 并且介绍相干结构的思想.基于大量主要是由实验所得的结果,本文通过广泛运用的事件检 测技术,探讨湍流边界层内部和外部区域发生的现象.我们从边界层内部区域发生的现象、 边界层外部大尺度运动的发展和涡结构动力学的角度来描述流动的现象.在文章的 第2部分,介绍从背景流动中推演出湍流相干结构的各种方法以及在各种方法框架下所得到的结果, 讨论速度梯度张量不变量、压力的Hessian矩阵分析和本征正交分解等方法.每一个过程 都有``相干结构'的特定的定义,满足恰当的数学构架,并可以对湍流数据做相干结构动力 学分析.这一工作可能会对当前流体动力学家在湍流研究中用到的最新理论和技术的传播有 所贡献.     

PIV study of large-scale flow organisation in slot jets

The paper reports on particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements in turbulent slot jets bounded by two solid walls with the separation distance smaller than the jet width (5–40%). In the far-field such jets are known to manifest features of quasi-two dimensional, two component turbulence. Stereoscopic and tomographic PIV systems were used to analyse local flows. Proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) was applied to extract coherent modes of the velocity fluctuations. The measurements were performed both in the initial region close to the nozzle exit and in the far fields of the developed turbulent slot jets for Re ⩾ 10,000. A POD analysis in the initial region indicates a correlation between quasi-2D vortices rolled-up in the shear layer and local flows in cross-stream planes. While the near-field turbulence shows full 3D features, the wall-normal velocity fluctuations day out gradually due to strong wall-damping resulting in an almost two-component turbulence. On the other hand, the longitudinal vortex rolls take over to act as the main agents in wall-normal and spanwise mixing and momentum transfer. The quantitative analysis indicates that the jet meandering amplitude was aperiodically modulated when arrangement of the large-scale quasi-2D vortices changed between asymmetric and symmetric pattern relatively to the jet axis. The paper shows that the dynamics of turbulent slot jets are more complex than those of 2D, plane and rectangular 3D jets. In particular, the detected secondary longitudinal vortex filaments and meandering modulation is expected to be important for turbulent transport and mixing in slot jets. This issue requires further investigations.     

Vortical structures behind a transverse jet in a supersonic flow at high jet to crossflow pressure ratios

A three-dimensional supersonic turbulent flow with symmetric normal injection of circular jets from the channel walls is numerically simulated. The initial Favre-averaged Navier–Stokes equations closed by the k–ω turbulence model are solved by an algorithm based on an ENO scheme. The mechanism of the formation of vortical structures due to the interaction of the jet with the free stream is studied for jet to crossflow total pressure ratios ranging from 3 to 50. It is known from experiments reported in the literature that, for n ? 10, mixing of the jet with the high-velocity flow leads to the formation of a pair of vortices and of an additional separation zone near the wall behind the jet. It is demonstrated that the present numerical results are consistent with such findings and that the pressure distribution on the wall ahead of the jet in the plane of symmetry is also in reasonable agreement with available experimental data.     

Mixing and coherent vortices in turbulent coaxial jets

Direct numerical simulations associated with mixing in constant-density round coaxial jets are performed. They are validated by comparison against laboratory experiments. The mixing process is studied by seeding a passive tracer first in the outer annular jet, then in the inner jet. We demonstrate the important role played by coherent vortices in the mixing mechanisms. The turbulent mixing exhibits an intermittent character as a consequence of fluid ejections caused by the counter-rotating streamwise vortices. We quantify also the domination of the outer jet and show that the fluid issuing from the central jet remains confined. To cite this article: G. Balarac, M. Si-Ameur, C. R. Mecanique 333 (2005).     

Experimental study on a non-dilute two-phase coflowing jet: Dynamics of particles in the near flow field

The dynamics of particles in multi-phase jets has been widely studied due to its importance for a broad range of practical applications. The present work describes an experimental investigation on an initially non-dilute two-phase jet, aimed at improving the understanding in this field. A two-color PDPA has been employed to measure simultaneously the velocity and size of particles. The measurements are post-processed to check the reliability of the results and to derive information on particle volume flux as an indication of their concentration. Acoustic forcing is applied in order to control coherent structures, which are responsible for mixing and transport phenomena, and also to get phase-locked measurements. Phase-averaged statistics enabled to freeze the jet structure, not visible in the time-averaged data. The results along the jet centerline confirm that drag forces and the spread angle of the jet initially control particle dispersion, very near the nozzle exit (x/D < 4). However, as the vortical structures evolve forming tongue-shaped structures, the total particle volume flux is augmented when these structures connect with the main stream (x/D > 5). This is due to an increase of the number of smaller size particles, even when a decrease of the number of larger size particle is observed. Further analysis at five cross-stream sections across two consecutive vortices confirm that small particles are convected around the coherent structure and then incorporated to the main stream, increasing the particle concentration at the jet core. On the other hand, the number of larger particles (as well as their contribution to axial volume flux) starts to decay in regions of high azymuthal vorticity. This behaviour is partly ascribed to the transversal lift force, associated to the large spatial gradients observed in these regions. Saffman and Magnus forces have been estimated to be comparable or even greater than radial drag forces. The results suggest that the Saffman force might accelerate particles in radial direction, inducing a high radial volumetric flow rate from high to low axial velocity regions.     

Vortices,Complex Flows and Inertial Particles

The properties of vortical structures at high Reynolds number in uniform flows and near rigid boundaries are reviewed. New properties are derived by analysing the dynamics of the main flow features and the related integral constraints, including the relations between mean swirl and bulk speed, the relative level of internal fluctuations to bulk properties, and connections between the steadiness and topology of the structures. A crucial property that determines energy dissipation and the transport of inertial particles (with finite fall speed) is the variation across the structure of the ratio of the mean strain rate (Σ) to the mean vorticity (Ω). It is shown how, once such particles are entrained into the vortical regions of a coherent structure, they can be transported over significant distances even as the vortices grow and their internal structure is distorted by internal turbulence, swirling motions and the presence of rigid boundaries. However if the vortex is strongly distorted by a straining motion so that Σ is greater than Ω, the entrained particles are ejected quite rapidly. These mechanisms are consistent with previous studies of entrained and sedimenting particles in disperse two phase flows over flat surfaces, and over bluff obstacles and dunes. They are also tested in more detail here through laboratory observations and measurements of 50–200-μm particles entrained into circular and non-circular vortices moving first into still air and then onto rigid surfaces placed parallel and perpendicular to the direction of motion of the vortices.     

Spiral and Wavy Vortex Flows in Short Counter-Rotating Taylor–Couette Cells

Differentially rotating cylinders result in a rich variety of vortical flows for cylindrical Couette flow. In this study we investigate the case of a short, finite-length cavity with counter-rotating cylinders via direct numerical simulation using a three-dimensional spectral method. We consider aspect ratios ranging from 5 to 6. Two complex flow regimes, wavy vortices and interpenetrating spirals, occur with similar appearance to those found experimentally for much larger aspect ratios. For wavy vortices the wave speed is similar to that found for counter-rotating systems and systems in which the outer cylinder is stationary. For the interpenetrating spiral structure, the vortices are largely confined to the unstable region near the inner cylinder. The endwalls appear to damp and stabilize the flow as the aspect ratio is reduced to the point that in some cases the vortical flow is suppressed. At higher inner cylinder speeds, the interpenetrating spirals acquire a waviness and the vortices, while generally near the inner cylinder, can extend all of the way to the outer cylinder. Received 5 November 2001 and accepted 29 March 2002 Published online 2 October 2002 Communicated by H.J.S. Fernando     

Direct numerical simulation of particle-laden plane turbulent wall jet and the influence of Stokes number

The distribution and motion of inertial particles in plane turbulent wall jet are investigated using direct numerical simulation, under the assumption of one-way coupling. To our knowledge, this appears to be the first direct numerical simulation of a particle-laden plane turbulent wall jet. It is shown that, in outer part of the wall jet, the behaviour of particles closely resembles that of a free plane jet. Due to the streamwise decay of particle Stokes number, the particle streaks formed in the near wall region of the wall jet are characterized by their intensity variation, which differs significantly from those in the channel flow. The streamwise growth of the particle velocity half-width is approximately equal to that of the fluid velocity half-width and the maximum velocity of particles decays slower than that of fluid due to inertia. The outer scaling can collapse the mean particle velocity in both the inner and outer region for heavier particles. In the buffer region, the particle–fluid velocity difference can be negative or positive depending on the Stokes number since there are two competing effects, namely the memory effect and turbophoresis. In the viscous region, the larger particles are on average faster than fluid and the velocity difference is found to be self-similar depending on outer Stokes number. The near-wall distribution of velocity difference is significantly correlated with the presence of high-momentum particles which are entrained by vortical structures generated in the outer region of the wall jet. These results are useful for environmental and engineering applications.     

Numerical simulation of vortical and coherent structures in compressible jet flows

The compressible flows of plane free jets and jets of the intake-stroke of a rectangular piston-engine model are investigated by numerical simulations. The observed vortical structures appear to be the well-known coherent structures of turbulent shear layers. The simulated structures are compared to experimental data by means of density fields and turbulent statistics taken from different authors. The computed flow depends on physical as well as on numerical parameters. The good agreement with the experimental data is obtained by direct simulation without any turbulence model.     

Manipulation of Large-Scale Vortical Structures and Mixing in a Coaxial Jet with Miniature Jet Actuators Toward Active Combustion Control

Manipulation of large-scale vortical structures and associated mixing in a methane-air coaxial jet is carried out by using miniature jet actuators installed on the inner surface of the annular nozzle. The periodic radial miniature jet injections are achieved with a rapid-response servo-valve. The spatio-temporal primary jet structures are investigated through phase-locked 2C-PIV (2 Component Particle Image Velocimetry) and stereoscopic-PIV. It is found that intense ring-like vortices are produced perfectly in phase with the periodic miniature jet injections regardless of the valve-driven frequency f_v examined. When the Strouhal number St_v, which is defined with f_v, is larger than unity, the ring-like vortices are densely formed and thus methane/air mixing is prompted with low periodic fluctuation. The diameter of the vortices becomes small as St_v is increased, so that the transport range of the inner methane and outer air fluids can be controlled by changing St_v. In addition, the evolution of counter-rotating vortex pair is also observed in the cross-sectional plane. These streamwise vortices are directly formed as a result of the radial miniature jet injection, which leads to entrainment of the ambient fluid near the primary jet shear layer, and they also contribute to the mixing enhancement. Moreover, it is demonstrated that coaxial jet flame characteristics such as carbon monoxide (CO) emission and flame holding can be drastically improved under different equivalence ratios by the present jet control scheme.     

Effects of small changes in initial conditions on mixing layer three-dimensionality

Conclusions An experimental study which shows the effects of relatively small changes in the initial conditions on the development of the three-dimensional structure of a plane mixing layer originating from laminar boundary layers has been completed. It was shown that while the exact shapes and positions of the streamwise vortex structures are not the same for the two initial conditions, their overall distribution, reorganization and decay are very similar. The present results imply that while some of the specific details of the streamwise vortex structure may be facility dependent, a relatively strong structure, which produces significant three-dimensionality, should form in all mixing layers originating from laminar boundary layers. After some initial readjustments, the structure will appear in the form of counter-rotating pairs of streamwise vortices which, in the mean, grow with the mixing layer and decay in strength.The present results also serve as a warning that small changes in initial conditions may significantly affect the Reynolds stress distributions in the near-field. The most likely mechanism for this is through the effects of very small changes in initial boundary layer properties on the details (strength and location) of the spanwise vortex roll-up. Despite these relatively large differences in the near-field, both mixing layers attain comparable turbulence structure and growth rates in the far-field. In addition, the behavior of the streamwise vortex structure does not appear to be affected by the differences in the near-field Reynolds stress distributions.