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An experimental study of a turbulent shear layer at a clean and contaminated free-surface

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Abstract

An experimental study was performed to measure the flow properties of a vertically-orientated shear layer in the vicinity of a free-surface. The effect of surface contamination on the near surface flow field was also determined. Digital Particle Image Velocimetry was used to measure instantaneous and averaged velocity, vorticity, and Reynolds stresses. Results show that the presence of surfactants can cause directional shifts of the shear layer, as well as an overall damping of the turbulence in the vicinity of the free-surface, except in the vicinity of a Reynolds ridge where an increase in Reynolds stress was observed.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the support of this work through Saint Louis University. First, the award of a SLU 2000 Research Assistantship to the Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering paid the tuition and stipend of Carlos Manglano. Secondly, this research was also made possible by an award through the Beaumont Faculty Development Fund to the first author.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Parks College of Engineering and Aviation, Saint Louis University, 3450 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO, 63103, USA

    Amy Warncke Lang & Carlos E. Manglano

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  1. Amy Warncke Lang
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  2. Carlos E. Manglano
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Correspondence to Amy Warncke Lang.

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Lang, A.W., Manglano, C.E. An experimental study of a turbulent shear layer at a clean and contaminated free-surface. Exp Fluids 36, 384–392 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-003-0648-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-003-0648-3

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