Noise radiated by a non-isothermal, temporal mixing layer. Part I: Direct computation and prediction using compressible DNS

Direct numerical simulations (DNSs) are performed in order to study acoustic emissions generated during the transition of isothermal and non-isothermal mixing layers. The sound from temporally evolving mixing layers is computed directly using DNS for a computational domain, which includes both aerodynamic and acoustic fields. Good precision of the computed acoustic field is ensured by using a numerical code based on high-order finite difference schemes of quasi-spectral accuracy. Two- and three-dimensional simulations of mixing layers are performed for various Mach numbers and temperature ratios. For each case, the acoustic radiation of the mixing layer transition is investigated. Comparisons illustrate the importance of the combined effects of temperature and Mach number on the acoustic intensity. Qualitative agreement with existing experimental observations for hot jet flows is observed. It is also found that the appearance of three-dimensional motion leads to a substantial reduction of sound emissions. In the second part of this study, DNS data are used to perform acoustic analogy predictions. Excellent agreement between direct computations and predictions is obtained in all cases. Analysis of the source terms yields a new interpretation of temperature and Mach number effects, based on the predominance of one term over the other.