Counter rotating vortex pair structure in a reacting jet in crossflow

Abstract This paper analyzes the time averaged flow structure of a reacting jet in cross flow (RJICF), emphasizing the structure of the counter-rotating vortex pair (CVP) by using simultaneous tomographic particle image velocimetry (TPIV) and hydroxyl radical planar laser induced fluorescence (OH-PLIF). It was performed to determine the extent to which heat release, and the associated effects of gas expansion and baroclinic vorticity production, impact the structure of the CVP. These results show the clear presence of a CVP in the time averaged flow field, whose trajectory lies below the jet centerline on either side of the centerplane. Consistent with other measurements of high momentum flux ratio JICF in nonreacting flows, there is significant asymmetry in strength of the two vortex cores. The strength and structure of the CVP was quantified with vorticity and swirling strength ( λ ci ), showing that some regions of the flow with high shear are not necessarily accompanied by large scale bulk flow rotation and vice-versa. The OH PLIF measurement allows for correlation of the flame position with the dominant vortical structures, showing that the leeward flame branch lies slightly above, as well as, in the region between the CVP cores.