Influence of nozzle configuration on the flow field of multiple jets

Turbulent jet flows with multiple nozzle inlets are investigated computationally using OpenFOAM. The configurations vary from single to five axisymmetric nozzles. First-order closure is used with Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations. Computed results are compared with the available experimental data. The effect of nozzle configuration on the jet flow field is discussed with predicted mean flow and turbulent flow data. Near-field of multiple jets shows the nonlinear behavior. Multiple jets show better performance in the near-field based on entrainment, secondary flows, and area-averaged turbulent kinetic energy. The downstream evolution of the multiple jets differs for configurations with and without central jet. The shape parameter confirms the evolution of the multiple jets towards an axisymmetric jet.