Scalar mixing in the field of a gaseous laminar line vortex

Abstract

An experimental study of scalar mixing in a laminar vortex is presented for vortices generated between two gas streams flowing parallel to each other in a rectangular flow channel. An isolated line vortex is initiated on demand by momentarily increasing one stream velocity in relation to the other using an electromagnetically actuated piston. The temporal piston motion profile is tailored to generate vortices of different strengths corresponding to vortex Reynolds numbers, Re≡Γ/2πν=130–210. Evolution of mixing is monitored by laser-induced fluorescence of acetone vapor premixed into one of the gas streams as the vortex structure evolves with increasing downstream distance from its point of origin. Vortex is generated by pulsing either of the gas streams (seeded or unseeded stream). Vortex initiation process affects the abundance of the gas in the vortex core from the pulsed stream. Spatial mixing statistics are obtained by determining scalar concentration probability density functions (pdf) and the mean mixed fluid concentrations obtained from these pdfs. It is found that the interfacial area generation as a result of vortex kinematics and molecular diffusion along this interface are principally responsible for mixing. The mean mixed fluid concentration in the vortex interaction region scales with the product of vortex circulation and the elapsed time of interaction. These results are similar to those found in liquid mixing experiments, but the rate of mixing is significantly higher due to higher diffusivity of gases.