Coaxial jets with and without swirl

Abstract

Measured values of mean velocity, Reynolds stresses and probability density distributions of fluctuating velocity are reported for the turbulent coaxial jets, with and without swirl, emerging into stagnant surroundings from a long pipe and an annulus concentric with the pipe. They were obtained using hot-wire anemometry and on-line data processing with the aid of a mini-computer. The results show that non-swirling coaxial flow configurations approach a self-similar state in a much smaller distance than that of the round jet, for velocity ratios ranging between 0·65 and 1·5; this is due to the mixing layer and vortex shedding that occur in the region downstream of the separation wall between the two streams. In the presence of swirl, the coaxial jet was found to develop at a faster rate. An assessment of turbulence models, based on Reynolds stress closures, suggests that previous assumptions for turbulent diffusion of turbulent kinetic energy are in error.