Review of Computational Fluid Dynamics Studies on Jets

The present work reviews the CFD studies carried out in the last more than fifty years to understand the uncontrolled and controlled jet characteristics. The chronological evolution of investigations on jets are reviewed, however they are presented according to their relevance in the discussion. The study also highlights the complexities involved in adaptive turbulence models in a realistic simulation of free jets. These complexities are largely due to entrainment of jets, large perturbations present at low Reynolds numbers in subsonic jets and strong wave interactions in jets exiting at supersonic Mach numbers from convergent-divergent nozzles. The accurate capturing of these perturbations, shock-cell structures in jets poses a real challenge in the CFD analysis. The complexities of capturing shock and expansion waves accurately in supersonic jets, is the critical step in the simulation.