On the Noise Generated by Shear-Layer Instabilities in Turbulent Jets

Solutions to the linearized equations of motion are used to study sound radiation by convected disturbances in the jet core. The spectrum of eigenmodes reveals the presence of modes that represent convected vortical and entropic motions in the potential core of the jet. We investigate the near-field acoustics produced by these core modes using the Parabolozied Stability Equations. At the conditions of commercial jet engines during take-off, the core modes radiate sound effectively along Mach lines due to the jet centerline velocity being supersonic relative to the fee-stream speed of sound. Summing three of these modes to create two distinct disturbances - one that is velocity dominated, and another that is entropy dominated - one observes that entropy variations radiate sound more effectively than vortical variations. The results yield a first insight into the impact of large-scale mixing inhomogeneities on the acoustic field. Such disturbances are created by devices in the jet engine itself, such as flow mixers, turbine exit vanes, and combustion-chamber (i.e. pattern factors)