Effect of nozzle geometry on the dynamics and mixing of self-similar turbulent jets.

Abstract

The effect of nozzle geometry on the dynamics and mixing of turbulent jets is experimentally investigated. The jets with a Reynolds number of 13,000 were issued from four different pipes with circular, elliptical, square and triangular cross sections. The velocity field was measured in the self-similar region of the jets using an acoustic Doppler velocimeter. Statistical parameters, such as the mean velocities, velocity variances, spreading rates, mass flow rates, and entrainment rates are presented. The results show that despite having approximately similar decay rates for the mean centerline velocities, the radial profiles of the axial mean velocity varied in jets with different nozzle cross sections and were widest for elliptical jets and narrowest for the triangular ones. On the other hand, velocity variances were greatest for the triangular jet when compared to the jets released from cross sections of other geometries. Furthermore, the spreading rate, mass flow rate, and entrainment rate were highest for the elliptical jet, and lowest for the triangular jet. From this it can be inferred that the elliptical jet has the highest mixing and dilution. The results of this study could help to improve the initial mixing of pollutants by optimizing the initial conditions.