Kelvin-Helmhotz instability

Principle of Kelvin-Helmholtz instability

Mathematical theory : determination of the domain of stability
Manifestations of Kelvin-Helmholtz instability

Principle of Kelvin-Helmholtz instability

Consider the basic flow of incompressible inviscid fluids (1) and (2) in two horizontal

parallel infinite streams of different velocities U1 and U2 and densities and , the faster
stream above the other. The two fluids are immiscible.

The horizontal boundary, corresponding to a sharp difference of velocity in the fluid is a

shearing layer. In this layer, vorticity is approximatively uniform while it is equal to zero
each side outside of the layer as velocities are uniform. So a shearing layer appears as a
vortex sheet inside an irrotational flow.

Evolution of the interface 3D vortex of Kelvin-Helmholtz instability

Like it is drawn of the figure above, an external perturbation may give an oscillation of the
vortex sheet. Pressure in concavities is higher than pressure in convexities so the amplitude of
the oscillation grows up and the upper part of the sheet is carried by upper fluid instead the
lower part of the sheet is carried by lower fluid. So a tautening of the front occurs and there is
a phenomenon of rolling up of the interface with a direction corresponding to the vorticity
direction of the mixing layer (here positive direction for the figure).

On the figure above, you have an example of Kelvin-Helmholtz instability.

 Example of Kelvin-Helmholtz instability

Click here for animation of simulation Click here for animation of experiment

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Mathematical theory : determination of the domain of stability

This flow can be emplaced by the superposition of a global translation of velocity

and of a symmetric flow from an horizontal plane y=0 with velocity (

).
 Scheme of the flow

The first instability which is developing is a bidimensional perturbation and it is

characterized by the height of the interface above the plane y=0 and which is noted .

We have to solve classic 2D Navier-Stokes equations in each fluid. So, for incompressible
inviscid fluids we have the Euler model:

We look for a solution using potentials and associated to velocities and :

 We consider we have a linear approximation which means magnitude of

perturbations is little considering their wave length.

The velocities of fluids perpendicular to the interface must be equal for each fluid and
equal to the velocity of the interface:

Projecting velocity of each fluid onto the normal of the interface we have now (i=1 or 2):

By retaining only terms of first order in perturbation , and , relations above

become:

The case when surface tension and difference of density are absent ( ):

In this case, there is continuity of pressure by crossing the interface:

With Bernoulli equation, we can write for each fluid:

 With these two equations, we obtain for terms of first order:

We look for solutions with the following form:

with which is the rate of development of perturbation and k the wave length.

By injecting these solutions in last equations we obtain a linear homogeneous system with

the unknown variables A, and . The condition of compatibility is obtain by saying the
determinant of the matrix of the system equal to zero so :

which is the relation of dispersion for wave. Like can be positive,we can say that
there's always an instable state for this kind of flow, and amplification of perturbation is more
important when wave lengths are little.

The case when surface tension and difference of density are not absent:

Phenomenon of difference of density and surface tension are known as to stabilize the
flow.
Now, at the interface we don't have equality of pressure because of surface tension:
 is the value of surface tension between the two fluids.

In Bernoulli equation hydrostatic term (i=1 or 2) must be introduced.

Like in the last section we have a condition of stability by saying the determinant of the
matrix of the system is equal to zero:

with and .

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Manifestations of Kelvin-Helmholtz instability

In indrustry like in Nature, a lot of physical phenomenons present Kelvin-Helmholtz
instability. We are going to give you some typical examples.

In domain of physics, for example in aerodynamics, vortices of Kelvin-Helmholtz develop

behind vehicles such as trains or break shape cars. Effectively, behind these vehicles, there is
a big difference of level and the air flow meets a zone where there is no velocity. In fact, it is
a flow behind stair and with certain conditions of flow Kelvin-Helmholtz instability can
appear in this zone.

So, a lot of simulations have been done about flow behind stair to give more informations.
 Simulations of flow behind stair for two different times

In this simulation, we can see this king of flow for two different times. It shows Kelvin-
Helmholtz instability which develops during time.

Click here for animation

We find also Kelvin-Helmholtz instability due to flow behind stair in the atmosphere
where spiral vortices can appear in downstream direction of a mountain. It is very dangerous
for people who practise flying wing because they can be lied flat on the mountain side if they
don't consider this phenomenon.

In motors of planes or spatial engines like boosters of Ariane 5 there may be also Kelvin-
Helmholtz instabilities.
In motors, vortices assure a good and necessary mixing of combustible with air. In this
case, instabilities are important for the smooth working of motors.
But in some physical problems, instabilities must be avoided. For example, in solid
propergol booster of Ariane 5, if frequency of vortices is the same than frequency of acoustic
wave developping inside the booster there is a phenomenon of aeroacoustic coupling which
can lead to the deterioration of the motor.
 Scheme of a solid propergol Simulation of the instability inside the last
booster of Ariane 5 segment of the booster

Click here for animation

In Nature, this kind of instability is also visible in oceans or rivers. For example, it is the
case at the "Cape of the Hague", in the Channel in France, where there are structures behind
the cape. In rivers, these structures can appear when there is a sudden widening of the river
bed. This phenomenon is not new and it has been represented by Hiroshige Utagawa in his
painting "Vortices in the Konaruto stream".
 Hiroshige Utagawa "Vortices in the Konaruto Vincent Van Gogh "La Nuit
stream" Etoilee"

An other painting which is very known and which represents Kelvin-Helmholtz instability
is the Van Gogh one called "La Nuit Etoilee" where the artist paints the exceptional
phenomenon of instability in clouds. This phenomenon is very rare and exceptional but
people can see it some days like the photographs below prove it.
Photographies of Kelvin-Helmholtz instability in clouds

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