Flow visualization of a round jet impinging on cylindrical surfaces

Smoke wire flow visualization is used to investigate the behavior of a roun d jet issuing from a straight tube and impinging on concave and convex surf aces with high relative curvature values. Local velocity and turbulence int ensity measurements of the free jet are correlated to the formation of the visualized ordered-flow structures. Visualization of the impinging jet show s the initiation and growth of ring vortices in the jet shear layer and the ir interaction with the cylindrical surfaces. Effects of relative curvature , nozzle diameter, nozzle-to-surface distance and Reynolds number on the je t flow structure are described. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights r eserved.