Investigation of effects of compressibility, geometric and flow parameters on the simulation of a synthetic jet behaviour

The present paper focuses on a three-dimensional unsteady turbulent synthetic jet to assess the accuracy of a compressible simulation and some important parameters including the simulations of the actuator, cavity height and Reynolds number. The two-equation SST/k - omega turbulence model is used to predict the flow behaviour. Results show that the compressible simulation case is more accurate than the incompressible one and the dynamic mesh exhibits more reliable results than the mass flow inlet boundary in the compressible simulation. The compressible case displays a delay in the phase of instantaneous velocity for all three Reynolds numbers. Also, the maximum of mean velocity is less than the incompressible case. Moreover, an increase in the Reynolds number leads to an amplification of the peak of mean velocity magnitude. Finally, results demonstrate that a reduction in the cavity height regarding the compressible simulation case causes a reduction in the phase delay and rise in peak of instantaneous velocity magnitude.