Dynamic eduction of coherent structures in turbulent jet flow imagery by wavelet techniques: part I

The use of two-dimensional wavelet techniques enables us to discern, at appropriate wavelet scales, certain features of a coherent structure from a single flow visualization image. By analysing a large number of planar laser-induced fluorescence images of chiefly the diametral section of a turbulent jet, with some supplementary axial sections, we show that it is possible to describe the passage of whole coherent structures through a specified section of the flow, and thereby acquire useful information on their life cycle. In particular it is found that a typical cycle is characterized by a lobed ring-like structure about 8% of the time, a dye-filled core a similar fraction of the time, with a mixed regime in between. Based on comparisons with dye-concentration data and DNS results, it is suggested that the lobed ring seen in the wavelet transform of the raw image may represent a vortex ring exhibiting the Widnall instability.