Numerical and Experimental Study of Two Impinging Jets in a Row through a Crossflow

Abstract

An experimental and numerical study is carried out to investigate the flowfield created by twin impinging jets aligned with a low velocity crossflow. The mean velocity, velocity fluctuation and visualization in the impingement region were obtained for a Reynolds number based on the jet exit conditions of Rej=4.3x10, an impingement height of 20.1 diameter and for a velocity ratios between the jet exit and the crossflow VR=Vj/Uo of 22.5, 33.7 and 43.8 with interject spacing, S of 6D. The experimental results show a large penetration of the first (upstream) impinging jet, giving rise to a ground vortex due to the collision of the radial wall jet and the crossflow that wraps around the impinging point like a scarf. The second jet (located downstream) it is not so affected by the crossflow in terms of deflection, but it does not reach the ground due to the downstream wall jet that flows radially from the impinging point of the first jet along the ground. The results indicate a new flow pattern not yet reported so far, in which a VSTOL aircraft operating in ground vicinity with front wind or small forward movement may result in enhanced negative pressures in the underside of the aircraft causing a pitching moment and a suction down force towards the ground. To extend the experimental results, the flow was also numerically simulated using a Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes formulation with the “k-e” turbulence model.