Joint numerical and experimental investigation of turbulent mixing in a supercritical CO2 shear layer
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Turbulent mixing in a supercritical CO $_2$ shear layer is examined using both experimental and numerical methods. Boundary conditions are selected to focus on the rarely studied near-critical regime, where thermophysical properties vary nonlinearly with respect to temperature and pressure. Experimental results are obtained via Raman spectroscopy and shadowgraphy, while numerical results are obtained via direct numerical simulation. The shear layer growth rate is found to be 0.2. Additionally, density profiles indicate a relaxation of density gradients between the mixed fluid and heavy fluid as the flow evolves downstream, which runs counter to existing supercritical shear layer data in the literature. The computational results identify significant anisotropy in the turbulence in the shear layer, which is discussed in terms of the development of regions of high density gradient magnitude. The Reynolds-averaged enstrophy budget at various streamwise locations indicates no significant dilatational or baroclinic contribution within the shear layer.
Source: Journal of Fluid Mechanics
DOI: 10.1017/jfm.2025.71
Authors: Dhruv Purushotham, Chang Hyeon Lim, Adam M. Steinberg, Devesh Ranjan, Joseph C. Oefelein
Institution: Georgia Institute of Technology
Language: English
Subfield: Computational Mechanics
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,550
OpenAlex ID: W4409112398