Turbulence measurements in a merged jet from two opposing curved wall jets

Abstract

A two-dimensional flow generated by the interaction of two opposing, symmetric curved wall jets is investigated experimentally. The overall flow field can be divided into the curved wall jet region, the interaction region, and the merged jet region; thus, the results of the measurement are discussed to characterize these three distinct regions. For the curved wall jet region, the Reynolds stress distribution, the correlation coefficient, \(\overline {uv} /u'v'\), and the ratio of normal stresses, \(\overline {u^2 } /\overline {u^2 } \), are presented and the effects of curvature and adverse pressure gradient on these distributions are discussed. The Reynolds stress distributions in the interaction region are analyzed in detail to illuminate the negative production of the turbulent kinetic energy. The developing jet in this region is found to accelerate owing to the very high pressure arising from the collision of the two wall jets. A counter-gradient shear flow situation is also observed in this interacting region. Measured data in the merged jet region are often compared to those of plane jets and the development of the merged jet is discussed in that respect. The spreading rate of the present merged jet is found to be much larger than that of the plane jets. To account for the larger spreading rate, the intermittency distribution is also investigated.