Enhancement of Jet Mixing using Stepped Tandem Tabs

Mixing characteristics of jet emerging from a subsonic nozzle exit has been experimented and the results are compared with uncontrolled jet and controlled jet configurations. The mixing enhancement was achieved using a passive method of jet control in which tandem tabs arrangement with rectangular cross section are fixed at the nozzle exit. Two Tab configurations, the Tandem tab (TT) and Stepped Tandem Tab (STT) are used to enhance the mixing characteristics of the jet, the aspect ratio (length /width) of the tabs was 1.67 offering a blockage ratio of 9.55% to the nozzle exit. The blockage ratio of TT and STT configurations are maintained to be equal so that the mixing characteristics can be compared. The axial and radial jet spread are compared for nozzle exit Mach numbers of 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0. The TT controlled jet offered a potential core reduction of 63%, 78% and 82% for Mach numbers 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 respectively. The STT controlled jet offered a potential core reduction of 89%, 90% and 85% for Mach numbers 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 respectively. The radial spread of uncontrolled jet, controlled jet with TT and STT are plotted at several X/D locations and found that the controlled jets have more jet spread in both radial directions. A simulation is conducted for jets with exit Mach number 0.8 and the results are validated with the experimental findings. Based on the preliminary experimentation and computation, the STT controlled jet achieved better jet mixing through more potential core reduction and radial spread characteristics as compared to the TT configuration and base nozzle.