The counter-rotating core of a swirling turbulent jet issued from a rotating pipe flow

Axially rotating turbulent pipe flow is an example where rotation strongly affects the turbulence and thereby the Reynolds stresses and mean flow properties. The present Letter reports new measurements where a rotating pipe flow is used to establish a swirling jet. The measurements in the jet show that at some distance downstream (approximately 6 nozzle diameters) the central part of the jet starts to rotate in the opposite direction as compared to the rotation of the pipe. This effect is explained by the influence of the cross flow Reynolds stress originating in the pipe flow. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.