Characterization of a system generating a homogeneous isotropic turbulence field by free synthetic jets

A facility inspired by Hwang and Eaton (2004a, b) for generating a homogeneous isotropic turbulence was built, the objective being to study evaporating droplets in the presence of turbulence. Turbulence was produced by the mixing of six synthetic jets, in ambient atmosphere. Combined PIV and LDA techniques were used to measure the statistical turbulence properties. The turbulence produced was found to be homogeneous isotropic with a small mean flow within a domain having an average size of 50 mm × 50 mm × 50 mm. The rms fluctuations were of the order of 0.9 m/s, corresponding to a Taylor Reynolds number of 240 and an integral length scale of about 40 mm. This apparatus proved to be well suited to the study of the evaporation of droplets in a controlled turbulence field.