Fluid dynamics and noise emission associated with supersonic jets

Methods have long been sought to find an efficient means for reduction of jet noise using either active or passive turbulence control measures. Progress in this area is limited by unclear understanding of the physical supersonic jet noise source mechanisms as they relate to the jet plume turbulence structure. These mechanisms have been extensively studied using round jets. This paper shows that jets with nonround jet exit geometry can provide beneficial noise reduction relative to round jets. Both the fluid dynamic structure and noise of several nonround jets are examined in the paper.