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Instability of a free-shear layer in the vicinity of a viscosity-stratified layer
, R. Govindarajan
Published in Cambridge University Press
2014
Volume: 752
   
Issue: 5
Pages: 626 - 648
Abstract
The stability of a mixing layer made up of two miscible fluids, with a viscosity-stratified layer between them, is studied. The two fluids are of the same density. It is shown that unlike other viscosity-stratified shear flows, where species diffusivity is a dominant factor determining stability, species diffusivity variations over orders of magnitude do not change the answer to any noticeable degree in this case. Viscosity stratification, however, does matter, and can stabilize or destabilize the flow, depending on whether the layer of varying velocity is located within the less or more viscous fluid. By making an inviscid model flow with a slope change across the 'viscosity' interface, we show that viscous and inviscid results are in qualitative agreement. The absolute instability of the flow can also be significantly altered by viscosity stratification. © © 2014 Cambridge University Press.
About the journal
JournalData powered by TypesetJournal of Fluid Mechanics
PublisherData powered by TypesetCambridge University Press
ISSN00221120