Flow Characteristics of a Submerged Forward-inclined Gas Jet with Liquid Crossflow

This study investigates the interaction of a forward inclined gas jet with a liquid crossflow. The experimental setup contained a submerged gas jet emanating from a round nozzle inclined at an angle of 120° relative to the liquid crossflow. The flow morphologies induced by the inclined jet with crossflow velocities varying from 0.35 to 2.0 m/s were obtained using the shadowgraph method, which has been reported in our former research. Additionally, a computational fluid dynamics model was developed and validated by the experimental data. The numerical model also revealed the detailed three-dimensional dynamics of the inclined gas jet. A comprehensive evaluation of the velocity profile, vortical strength, and interface entrainment was then performed for different cases based on the experimental and numerical results. The flow patterns and their unsteady behaviors were also investigated qualitatively and quantitatively, which indicated that the crossflow had a substantial influence on the inclined jet trajectory, expansion angles, and penetration length. It is proved that the inclined angle substantially altered the interaction between the gas jet and liquid crossflow by modifying the effective relative velocity, especially at higher velocities. The characteristic parameters, including penetration length and jet expansion angle, were predicted by the modified empirical correlations proposed in this study. Overall, this study presents a preliminary perspective on understanding the morphology and characteristics of a submerged inclined gas jet with liquid crossflow.