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At least 289 records · Page 16

Supersonic free turbulent mixing layers

A mean turbulent closure method with a length scale function is developed for predicting the reduced spreading rate in high Mach number, high Reynolds number free shear layers. The new feature of the method is the inclusion of effects of the pressure-dilation term which appears in the compressible form of the turbulence energy equation. The model indicates that the pressure-dilation correlation may act as a turbulence energy sink or source depending on whether the transverse gradients of mean Mach number and mean density have the same or opposite signs.

Oh, Y. H.↗

Noniterative cross-flow integration for the pressure-split analysis of subsonic mixing-layer problems

In utilizing pressure-split methodology for the two-dimensional analysis of curved wall jets and the subsonic regions of underexpanded free jets, Dash et al (1984) employed the cross flow procedure of Bradshaw et al (1979, 1984). In assessing this procedure, it was noted that the iterative steps required between the continuity and cross flow momentum equation solutions could be eliminated by combining these equations into a unified equation for the cross flow velocity, yielding a significant reduction in computer time and eliminating possible convergence problems which occur in iterative approaches. Attention is presently given to the application of this noniterative procedure to a two-dimensional curved wall jet problem.

Dash, S. M.↗

Nonlinear binary-mode interactions in a developing mixing layer

This paper presents the formulation and results of two-wave interactions in a spatially developing shear layer, directed at understanding and interpreting the physical mechanisms that underlie the results of quantitative observation. The study confirms the existence of Kelly's (1967) mechanism that augments the growth of a subharmonic disturbance by extracting energy from its fundamental or vice versa. This mechanism is shown to be strongest in the region where the fundamental begins to return energy to the mean flow and the two wave modes are of comparable energy levels. It is found that the initial conditions and, especially, the initial phase angle between the two disturbances play a very significant role in the modal development and that of the shear layer itself. A doubling of the shear-layer thickness is shown to take place; the two successive plateaux in its growth are attributed to the peaking in the energy production rates of the fundamental and subharmonic fluctuations.

Nikitopoulos, D. E.↗

A two-dimensional numerical simulation of a supersonic, chemically reacting mixing layer

Research has been undertaken to achieve an improved understanding of physical phenomena present when a supersonic flow undergoes chemical reaction. A detailed understanding of supersonic reacting flows is necessary to successfully develop advanced propulsion systems now planned for use late in this century and beyond. In order to explore such flows, a study was begun to create appropriate physical models for describing supersonic combustion, and to develop accurate and efficient numerical techniques for solving the governing equations that result from these models. From this work, two computer programs were written to study reacting flows. Both programs were constructed to consider the multicomponent diffusion and convection of important chemical species, the finite rate reaction of these species, and the resulting interaction of the fluid mechanics and the chemistry. The first program employed a finite difference scheme for integrating the governing equations, whereas the second used a hybrid Chebyshev pseudospectral technique for improved accuracy.

Drummond, J. Philip↗

The compressible mixing layer

The capability of turbulence modeling correctly to handle natural unsteadiness appearing in compressible turbulent flows is investigated. Physical aspects linked to the unsteadiness problem and the role of various flow parameters are analyzed. It is found that unsteady turbulent flows can be simulated by dividing these motions into an 'organized' part for which equations of motion are solved and a remaining 'incoherent' part represented by a turbulence model. Two-equation turbulence models and second-order turbulence models can yield reasonable results. For specific compressible unsteady turbulent flow, graphic presentations of different quantities may reveal complementary physical features. Strong compression zones are observed in rapid flow parts but shocklets do not yet occur.

Vandromme, Dany↗

Unforced decadal fluctuations in a coupled model of the atmosphere and ocean mixed layer

Global average temperature in a 100-year control run of a model used for greenhouse gas response simulations showed low-frequency natural variability comparable in magnitude to that observed over the last 100 years. The model variability was found to be barotropic in the atmosphere, and located in the tropical strip with largest values near the equator in the Pacific. The model variations were traced to complex, low-frequency interactions between the meridional sea surface temperature gradients in the eastern equatorial Pacific, clouds at both high and low levels, and features of the tropical atmospheric circulation. The variations in these and other model parameters appear to oscillate between two limiting climate states. The physical scenario accounting for the oscillations on decadal time scales is almost certainly not found in the real world on shorter time scales due to limited resolution and the omission of key physics (e.g., equatorial ocean dynamics) in the model. The real message is that models with dynamical limitations can still produce significant long-term variability. Only a thorough physical diagnosis of such simulations and comparisons with decadal-length data sets will allow one to decide if faith in the model results is, or is not, warranted.

Barnett, T. P.↗

The influence of higher harmonics on vortex pairing in an axisymmetric mixing layer

Strong forcing was used to produce vortex pairing in a submerged axisymmetric water jet. Phase-averaged hot-wire measurements were combined with phase-averaged flow visualization to identify the relevant nonlinear interactions. The leading resonant interaction was not a subharmonic resonance. Instead, it was a triad resonance involving the subharmonic, the fundamental and the 3/2 harmonic. The profound influence of higher harmonics on the amplification of the fundamental and subharmonic was demonstrated in a systematic way by successive truncation of the Fourier series representation of the excitation waveform.

Petersen, R. A.↗

Filtered Rayleigh scattering based measurements in compressible mixing layers

Results are presented of experiments in which a Rayleigh-scattering-based technique was used to make quantitative planar measurements in the compressible free shear layers. To this end, the absorption characteristics of the iodine molecular filter were investigated, and initial planar density measurements in M(c) = 0.51 shear layer were performed. The preliminary results presented here demonstrate the validity of the measurement technique.

Elliott, G. S.↗

A study of compressible mixing layers using filtered Rayleigh scattering

High Reynolds number compressible planar free shear layers were studied using a planar laser visualization technique. Two convective Mach numbers, M(c) = 0.51 and 0.86, were studied in the developing and fully developed regions. The structures in the M(c) = 0.51 case were characterized by 2D core and roller regions, similar to subsonic shear layers. Also for the M(c) = 0.51 case, plan views in the developing region showed the existence of streamwise streaks, possibly indicating the presence of organized streamwise vorticity. The M(c) = 0.86 flow was much less organized than the lower convective Mach number case and highly three dimensional.

Elliott, Gregory S.↗

Single Doppler radar and lidar studies of the dynamics of mixed layers and overlying stable regions

Some examples of profiles of PBL quantities retrieved from Doppler radar and lidar observations are shown, and the extent to which the deduced quantities agree with the traditional eddy viscosity concept is examined. It is found in one case that the concept of 'top down bottom up' diffusion introduced by Wyngaard (1983) is more pertinent than that of the eddy viscosity. In another case it is found that, in stable layers with sufficiently large Richardson number, the momentum fluxes could be counter-gradient. In this latter case the use of a negative turbulence diffusion coefficient would result in an ill-posed differential equation, thus confusing the 'diffusion problem'.

Xu, Mei↗