Concurrent mixing and diffusion in three dimensions

An experimental study of the effect of direction on the concurrent mixing and diffusion process occurring in three dimensional diffusers is presented. The results of two earlier analytical studies which predicted a preferred direction of diffusion are verified. A diffuser geometry where the walls diverge normal to the plane of the nonuniform entrance velocity profile results in a larger pressure ratio across the diffuser, increased mixing within the diffuser and the potential to achieve the same performance as alternate designs while employing less driving fluid.