Preliminary visualizations of acoustic waves interacting with subcritical and supercritical cryogenic jets

The effect of large amplitude acoustic waves on subcritical and supercritical cryogenic jets was studied. A general trend was observed that acoustic waves cause the time averaged cross section of the jet to flatten in a direction where the minor axis becomes aligned with the direction of propagation of the waves. It was also found that the presence of acoustic waves shortened the breakup length of the jets compared with non-acoustically forced jets. The above trend was observed with decreasing magnitude as pressure increases from subcritical to supercritical pressures, until the trend became nearly indiscernible at the highest supercritical pressure evaluated. An increase in the mass flow rate of the jet also tended to decrease the magnitude of the trends observed.