Evolution of turbulence structures in a confined square coaxial jet

Three turbulence structure identification techniques were used to analyze the flow patterns contained in a large eddy simulation database of a confined square coaxial jet flow. The results obtained using each technique were compared to each other. The traditional method of using contours of vorticity produced the clearest plots that were easy to interpret using physical arguments. No large-scale structures of turbulence were visible in the database. The small-scale structures that did form near the flow inlet along the interface between the inner and annular flows dissipated a short distance downstream; this dissipation was enhanced by the friction between neighbouring pockets of vorticity rotating about different principal coordinates. Once the vorticity was dissipated, the flow behaved in a manner similar to a square duct flow without an inner annular flow. (author)