An analytical description of the energy balance in turbulent, round, free jets

This brief contribution provides a quantification of the terms of the turbulent kinetic energy transport equation for a round steady turbulent free jet. The analysis is based on the assumption of flow self-similarity, and it is performed by means of a simple analytical asymptotic analysis. The results are in good agreement with the experimental findings of Panchapakesan and Lumley [J. Fluid Mech. 246, 197–223 (1993)] and with the large eddy simulations of Bogey and Bailly [J. Fluid Mech. 627, 129–160 (2009)], hence providing a theoretical interpretation of such findings.