Predicting radial profiles for jets with arbitrary buoyancy

The present study investigates the profiles of statistically axisymmetric turbulent jets with arbitrary buoyancy. Analytical expressions for the shape of the radial velocity, Reynolds stress and radial scalar flux profiles are derived from the governing equations by assuming self-similar Gaussian mean velocity and scalar profiles. Previously these have only been derived for the special cases of pure jets and plumes, whereas the present study generalises them to arbitrary buoyancies. These are then used to derive analytical expressions for the turbulent Schmidt/Prandtl numbers, which, along with the mean profiles, are shown to give predictions in agreement with existing literature.

Automated summary

The present study investigates the profiles of statistically axisymmetric turbulent jets with arbitrary buoyancy. Analytical expressions for the shape of the radial velocity, Reynolds stress and radial scalar flux profiles are derived. These expressions have previously only been derived for special cases, and this study generalizes them to arbitrary buoyancies. The derived expressions for the turbulent Schmidt/Prandtl numbers, along with the mean profiles, give predictions in agreement with existing literature.