Large Eddies and Vortex Streets Behind Moving Jets in a Stratified Fluid

Abstract : The results of experiments with jet-like flows, induced by a horizontally moving momentum source in a density-stratified fluid are presented. The jet acts either impulsively or continuously. In the latter case both the counter- and co-flowing motions are considered. It is shown that large eddies and vortex streets, similar to those observed behind bluff bodies, are formed in the flow, where the effect of solid boundary is negligible. The conditions under which large eddies and vortex streets appear in the flow are determined. Possible applications include stratified wakes behind maneuvering self-propelled bodies.