An analysis of laminar jet reattachment: reattachment distance as a function of Reynolds number

Abstract

The problem of laminar jet reattachment to an inclined flat plate was attacked by the application of the momentum equation at the reattachment point. The pressure distribution within the separation bubble was considered in the analysis as well as the initial state of development of the reattaching jet. The assumption was also made that reattachment angle was independent of Reynolds number for a given plate inclination. A general solution was developed in which reattachment distance was determined to be directly proportional to Reynolds number.

The theory correlated moderately well with experiment at a plate inclination of 30°, but it clearly failed at all other angles of inclination. It was shown that the initial state of jet · development had a first order effect on the reattachment phenomenon.