Direct numerical simulations of multiple swirling jets issued into a crossflow

A jet in crossflow (JICF) is a canonical configuration widely studied in fluid mechanics. In this study, direct numerical simulations were conducted to investigate the flow and scalar transport characteristics of multiple slightly heated swirling jets issued into a crossflow. The simulations spanned a range of swirl numbers (Sw=0–0.6) at a fixed jet Reynolds number of 6930 and a jet–crossflow velocity ratio of 3.3. A total of 15 jets were arranged in three rows along the streamwise direction and five columns in the spanwise direction, with periodicity assumed in the spanwise direction. The results indicate that moderate swirl (Sw=0.2–0.4) enhances reverse flow near the wall, reduces jet height, and promotes the formation of a spanwise mean flow. Notably, strong swirl (Sw=0.6) leads to a rapid collapse of the jet potential core and significantly limits jet penetration into the crossflow. These swirl effects cause high-temperature fluid from the jets to remain near the wall in the downstream region. The resulting modifications to the mean flow led to the enhanced production of turbulent kinetic energy in moderate swirl cases, generating large velocity fluctuations that persist further downstream. A scaling analysis of the energy dissipation rate reveals the presence of non-equilibrium turbulence, where the non-dimensional dissipation rate Cε scales inversely with the turbulent Reynolds number. Further downstream, Cε approaches a constant, thus indicating a transition to an equilibrium state of energy cascade. These findings provide novel insights into the role of swirl in modifying jet dynamics, turbulence, and scalar transport in JICF configurations.