Diffusive turbulence in a confined jet experiment

An experimental analysis of the turbulence in an axisymmetrical jet within a closed tube is presented. At some distance from the nozzle, a turbulent region develops, where the kinetic energy of the mean flow almost vanishes. In this region, the turbulence is transported by turbulent diffusion and its energy decreases with the distance from the inlet. A complete description of the flow field has been achieved using laser Doppler anemometry. Some unusual features are highlighted: the statistical moments of the velocity decay exponentially, the integral length scales remain constant, the radial profiles are self-similar and the Reynolds stress tensor is isotropic and homogeneous in the radial direction. These results highlight the roles of pressure fluctuations and any mean residual motion in the return to isotropy.