The compressible turbulent shear layer: an experimental study

The growth rate and turbulent structure of the compressible, plane shear layer are investigated experimentally in a novel facility. In this facility, it is possible to flow similar or dissimilar gases of different densities and to select different Mach numbers for each stream. Ten combinations of gases and Mach numbers are studied in which the free-stream Mach numbers range from 0.2 to 4. Schlieren photography of 20-ns exposure time reveals very low spreading rates and large-scale structures. The growth of the turbulent region is defined by means of Pitot-pressure profiles measured at several streamwise locations. A compressibility-effect parameter is defined that correlates and unifies the experimental results. It is the Mach number in a coordinate system convecting with the velocity of the dominant waves and structures of the shear layer, called here the convective Mach number. It happens to have nearly the same value for each stream. In the current experiments, it ranges from 0 to 1.9. The correlations of the growth rate with convective Mach number fall approximately onto one curve when the growth rate is normalized by its incompressible value at the same velocity and density ratios. The normalized growth rate, which is unity for incompressible flow, decreases rapidly with increasing convective Mach number, reaching an asymptotic value of about 0.2 for supersonic convective Mach numbers

Mixing enhancement using axial flow

A method and an apparatus for enhancing fluid mixing. The method comprises the following: (a) configuring a duct to have an effective outer wall, an effective inner wall, a cross-sectional shape, a first cross-sectional area and an exit area, the first cross-sectional area and the exit area being different in size; (b) generating a first flow at the first cross-sectional area, the first flow having a total pressure and a speed equal to or greater than a local speed of sound; and (c) generating a positive streamwise pressure gradient in a second flow in proximity of the exit area. The second flow results from the first flow. Fluid mixing is enhanced downstream from the duct exit area

Effect of Wedge-Shaped Deflectors on Flow Fields of Dual-Stream Jets

The effect of wedge-shaped fan flow deflectors on the mean and turbulent flow-fields of dual-stream jets is investigated. Several wedge-shaped deflector concepts were used to create asymmetry in the plume of a dual-stream jet issuing from a scaled down version of the NASA Glenn ‘5BB’ bypass-ratio 8 turbofan nozzle. The deflector configurations comprised internal and external wedges with and without a pylon. Some external wedges incorporated local extensions of the fan nacelle. All the deflectors reduced radial velocity gradients, magnitudes of peak Reynolds stresses, and peak turbulent kinetic energy beneath the jet centerplane, with an increase above the jet centerplane. A correlation was obtained between the maximum radial velocity gradient and the peak turbulent kinetic energy in the dominant noise source region

Supersonic Coaxial Jets: Noise Predictions and Measurements

The noise from perfectly expanded coaxial jets was measured in an anechoic chamber for different operating conditions with the same total thrust, mass flow, and exit area. The shape of the measured noise spectrum at different angles to the jet axis was found to agree with spectral shapes for single, axisymmetric jets. Based on these spectra, the sound was characterized as being generated by large turbulent structures or fine-scale turbulence. Modeling the large scale structures as instability waves, a stability analysis was conducted for the coaxial jets to identify the growing and decaying instability waves in each shear layer and predict their noise radiation pattern outside the jet. When compared to measured directivity, the analysis identified the region downstream of the outer potential core, where the two shear layers were merging, as the source of the peak radiated noise where instability waves, with their origin in the inner shear layer, reach their maximum amplitude. Numerical computations were also performed using a linearized Euler equation solver. Those results were compared to both the results from the instability wave analysis and to measured data

Experimental Investigation of Heterogeneous Compressible Shear Layers

The compressible, two-dimensional shear layer is investigated experimentally in a novel facility. In this facility, it is possible to flow similar or, dissimilar gases of different densities and to select different Mach numbers for each stream over a wide range of Reynolds numbers. In the current experiments, ten combinations of gases and Mach numbers are studied in which the freestream Mach numbers range from 0.2 to 4, the density ratio varies from 0.2 to 9.2, and the velocity ratio varies from 0.13 to 1. The growth of the turbulent region of the layer is measured by means of pitot pressure profiles obtained at several streamwise locations. The resulting growth rate is estimated to be about 80% of the visual growth rate. The transition from laminar to turbulent flow, as well as the structure of the turbulent layer, are observed with Schlieren photographs of 20 nanosecond duration. Streamwise pressure distribution and total pressures are measured by means of a Scanivalve-pressure transducer system. An underlying objective of this investigation was the definition of a compressibility-effect parameter that correlates and consolidates the experimental results, especially the turbulent growth rates. A brief analytical investigation of the vortex sheet suggests that such a parameter is the Mach number in a frame of reference moving with the phase speed of the disturbance, called here the convective Mach number. In a similar manner, the convective Mach number of a turbulent shear layer is defined as the one seen by an observer moving with the convective velocity of the dominant waves and structures. It happens to have about the same value for each stream. In the current experiments, it ranges from 0 to 1.9. The correlations of the growth rate with convective Mach number fall approximately onto one curve when the growth rate is normalized by its incompressible value at the same velocity and density ratios. The normalized growth rate, which is unity for incompressible flow, decreases gradually with increasing convective Mach number, reaching an asymptotic value of about 0.25 for supersonic convective Mach numbers. The above behavior is in qualitative agreement with results of linear stability theory as well as with those of previous, one-stream experiments. Large-scale structures, resembling those observed in subsonic shear layers, are evident in the Schlieren photographs. It is estimated that the mean structure spacing, normalized by the local thickness, is reduced to about half its incompressible value as the convective Mach number becomes supersonic. An estimate of the transition Reynolds number has been obtained from the photographs of two shear layers having quite different convective Mach numbers, one low subsonic and the other sonic. In both cases, it is about 2 x 105, based on distance to transition and properties of the high unit Reynolds number stream, thus suggesting that, in this experiment, transition is dominated by instabilities of the wake, rather than of the shear layer.</p

Noise from Imperfectly Expanded Supersonic Coaxial Jets

Experiments have characterized the acoustics of axisymmetric high-speed jets at a variety of Mach numbers and velocities and at pressure-matched, overexpanded, and underexpanded conditions. The effect of an annular secondary ow on noise emission was also investigated. The fully expanded jet velocity ranged from 630 to 920 m/s and the fully expanded jet Mach number ranged from 1.27 to 1.75. The secondary ow was supplied at 400 m/s and was designed for Mach wave elimination conditions. Imperfect expansion creates screech and broadband shock noise. Screech is dominant in the near eld whereas broadband shock noise affects mainly the lateral direction of the far eld. The secondary ow practically eliminates the screech tones, but has little impact on broadband shock noise. With exception of localized and weak screech tones, the far-eld spectra in the direction of peak noise emission (aft quadrant) are insensitive on nozzle exit pressure and depend solely on the fully expanded Mach number and velocity. Addition of the secondary ow produces substantial noise reduction in the aft quadrant, a consequence of Mach wave elimination, and modest noise reduction in the lateral direction, an effect attributed to mean shear reduction. Lowering the velocity and/or Mach number of the jet enhances the bene t of the secondary ow by shortening the region of the principal noise sources, thus improving the coverage of that region by the secondary ow. Far-eld noise reductions of up to 17 dB were recorded at frequencies most relevant to aircraft noise

Anatol Roshko, 1923–2017

We present a brief account of Anatol Roshko's research and educational contributions to fluid mechanics, focusing on the spirit of his transformative ideas and legacy