Time-resolved particle-scale dynamics of a particle-laden jet

Abstract

Particle-laden jet flow is important to both jet-related industry applications and transmission of the virus through violent expiratory events, such as coughing and sneezing. To help understand its dynamics from the particle level, we develop a time-resolved, three-dimensional (3D), particle tracking velocimetry method, coupled with particle image velocimetry measurement of gas flow, and perform experiments on a dilute particle-laden gas jet. The spatial distributions of velocity and fluctuating velocity of the gas and particles are obtained. It is found that the presence of particles significantly changes the gas turbulence and stretch the gas flow field to the downstream. The probability density function of axial particle velocity shows non-Gaussian distribution and deviates much from those of the spanwise velocities, indicating strong non-equilibrium and anisotropic states. A new drag model is derived based on the reconstructed particle trajectories and gas flow field near the ejector exit with particle Reynolds numbers between 30 and 300. It is found in better agreement with the experimental data than the standard single-particle drag model. A simple model relating the particle volume fraction with particle displacement is developed based on the self-similarity theory of jet, showing good agreement with the experimental measurement.