Surface flow visualization using the thermal wakes of small heated spots

 This note describes a surface flow visualization technique which uses the thermal wakes of an array of small heated spots to infer the local flow direction. The thermal wake is made visible using wide band thermochromic liquid crystals. The technique is illustrated using the endwall flow under a horseshoe vortex at the base of a right circular cylinder in a turbulent boundary layer. Comparisons to results generated using the oil of wintergreen technique were in good agreement. In addition to surface flow direction, the technique has the potential to be used to measure the heat transfer coefficient at each spot. Data are presented in terms of photographs of the actual visualization surface. The techniques is suitable for low speed flows. Received: 11 November 1996 / Accepted: 12 December 1997     

Traveling disturbance appearing in boundary layer transition in a Yawed cylinder

Boundary layers that develop over a body in fluid flow are in most cases three-dimensional owing to the spin, yaw, or surface curvature of the body. Therefore, the study of three-dimensional (3D) boundary-layer transition is essential to work in practical aerodynamics. The present investigation is concerned with the problem of 3D boundary layers over a yawed body. A yawed cylinder model that represents the leading edge portion of a swept wing and the mechanism of crossflow instability are investigated in detail using hot-wire velocimetry and a flow visualization technique. As a result, traveling disturbances having frequencies f₁ and f₂, which differ by about one order of magnitude, are detected in the transition region. The phase velocities and directions of travel of those disturbances are measured. Results for the low-frequency disturbance f₁ show qualitative coincidence with results numerically predicted for a crossflow unsteady disturbance. Nameley, F₁ travels nearly spanwise to the yawed cylinder and very close to the cylinder wall. The results for the high-frequency disturbance f₂ good agreement with the existing experimental results. The ₂ disturbance is found to be the high-frequency inflectional secondary instability that appears in 3D boundary layer transition in general. A two-stage transition process, where stationary crossflow vortices appear as the primary instability and a traveling inflectional disturbance is generated as a secondary instability, was observed. Secondary instability seems to play a major role in turbulent transition.     

Digital-Particle-Image-Velocimetry (DPIV) in a scanning light-sheet: 3D starting flow around a short cylinder

Scanning-Particle-Image-Velocimetry Technique (SPIV), introduced by Brücker (1992) and Brücker and Althaus (1992), offers the quantitative investigation of three-dimensional vortical structures in unsteady flows. On principle, this technique combines classical Particle-Image-Velocimetry (PIV) with volume scanning using a scanning light-sheet. In our previous studies, single scans obtained from photographic frame series were evaluated to show the instantaneous vortical structure of the respective flow phenomena. Here, continuous video recordings are processed to capture also the temporal information for the study of the set-up of 3D effects in the cylinder wake. The flow is continuously sampled in depth by the scanning light-sheet and in each of the parallel planes frame-to-frame cross-correlation of the video images (DPIV) is applied to obtain the 2D velocity field. Because the scanning frequency and repetition rate is high in comparison with the characteristic time-scale of the flow, the evaluation provides a complete time-record of the 3D flow during the starting process. With use of the continuity concept as described by Robinson and Rockwell (1993), we obtained in addition the out-of-plane component of the velocity in spanwise direction. This in view, the described technique enabled the reconstruction of the three-dimensional time-dependent velocity and vorticity field. The visualization of the dynamical behaviour of these quantities as, e.g. by video, gave a good impression of the spanwise flow showing the tornado-like suction effect of the starting vortices.A version of this paper was presented at the 2. Int. Conference on Experimental Fluid Mechanics, 4–8 July 1994, Torino (Italy)     

超声速混合层中扰动增强混合实验

以基于纳米技术的平面激光散射(nano-based planar laser scattering, NPLS)流动显示技术定性研究了隔板扰动对超声速混合层($Mc=0.5$)的混合增强效果. 首先通过系列实验优化设计了扰动参数. 实验结果表明,超声速混合层对于从隔板引入的扰动非常敏感. 二维扰动的混合强化机制是提前混合层失稳位置,增厚混合层;而三维扰动的混合强化机制主要是通过诱导流向涡和展向运动,促进流动三维性质的发展. 总体而言,三维扰动的混合强化效果优于二维扰动. 由于是超声速混合层,隔板上的扰动片虽然很薄,但同样会引起激波的产生,是该方法中总压损失的主要原因.      

A displaced-line velocity diagnostic and its application in a visualization engine

A technique for measuring three-dimensional velocity by imaging the displacement of a marked fluid line is described, together with its use in an automotive visualization engine. In a flow seeded with 2–3 μ phosphorescing particles, a line is excited by a UV laser beam, deformed by the local velocity field, and detected by stereo low-light-level video cameras. The derivation of velocity from digitized images is discussed and capabilities of the diagnostic are assessed. Some image data taken in the engine are shown and quantitative two-component velocity plots along the line are presented.     

Point-to-plane corona discharge for high-speed reacting flow visualization

We present the results of a novel technique for the high-speed visualization of a flame reaction zone using a streamer-initiated point-to-plane unipolar pulsed corona discharge. Our results show images of the flame front under conditions of natural hydrodynamic flame instability, as well as external air flow modulation induced flame instability. This technique can potentially be used as a high-speed 2-D flow visualization diagnostic tool to monitor flow instabilities in reacting and non-reacting fluids that have a density gradient. We also show that this technique does not modify the flame characteristics in any measurable way, if the high electric field region of the streamer/corona discharge is located in the downstream region.     

Application of holographic interferometry for evaluation of 3D Navier-Stokes calculations

Holographic interferometry is a non-intrusive optical measuring technique which can potentially capture instantaneous information about a complete three-dimensional flow field onto a single holographic image. However subsequently extracting the flow data so that it can be used to validate CFD results, is for most practical wind tunnel applications not yet possible.An approach applied in this paper, is to compare experimental interferograms with equivalent images obtained by post-processing the CFD solution. We have investigated transonic flow in a wind tunnel environment and computationally reconstructed both 2D image-plane interferograms and full 3D holographic interferograms. These comparisons have subsequently helped us to evaluate and improve our 3D Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes calculations.The main part of this study was conducted by the authors at Cambridge University Engineering Department where the work was funded by RAE Farnborough under contract 2029/233 XR Aero and monitored by Dr. B. Williams and Dr. P. Smith     

Experimental analysis of the flow field over a novel owl based airfoil

The aerodynamics of a newly constructed wing model the geometry of which is related to the wing of a barn owl is experimentally investigated. Several barn owl wings are scanned to obtain three-dimensional surface models of natural wings. A rectangular wing model with the general geometry of the barn owl but without any owl-specific structure being the reference case for all subsequent measurements is investigated using pressure tabs, oil flow pattern technique, and particle-image velocimetry. The main flow feature of the clean wing is a transitional separation bubble on the suction side. The size of the bubble depends on the Reynolds number and the angle of attack, whereas the location is mainly influenced by the angle of attack. Next, a second model with a modified surface is considered and its influence on the flow field is analyzed. Applying a velvet onto the suction side drastically reduces the size of this separation at moderate angles of attack and higher Reynolds numbers.     

Characteristics of flow field and water concentration in a horizontal deadleg

Deadlegs are defined as the inactive portion of the pipe where the flow is stagnant. Corrosion in deadlegs occurs as a result of water separation due to the very low flow velocity. The present work provides an investigation of the effect of deadleg geometry and average flow velocity on flow field and oil/water separation in deadlegs. The investigation is based on the solution of the mass and momentum conservation equations of an oil/water mixture together with the volume fraction equation for the secondary phase. A fluid flow model based on the time-averaged governing equations of 3-D turbulent flow has been developed. An algebraic slip mixture model is utilized for the calculation of the two immiscible fluids (water and crude oil). The model solves the continuity and momentum equations for the mixture, and the volume fraction equation for the secondary phase utilizing an algebraic expression for the relative velocity. Flow visualization experiments were conducted in order to validate the numerical procedure. Good agreement was obtained between the calculated and measured flow patterns. Results are obtained for different lengths of the deadleg. The considered fluid mixture contains 90% oil and 10% water (by volume). The inlet flow velocity ranges from 0.2 to 10 m/s and the deadleg length to diameter ratio (L/D) ranges from 1 to 10. The results showed that the size of the stagnant fluid region increases with the increase of L/D and decreases with the increase of inlet velocity. The results also indicated that the water volumetric concentration increases with the increase of L/D and influenced by the deadleg geometry.     

Three-Dimensional droplet splashing dynamics measurement with a stereoscopic shadowgraph system

In the current study, a novel three-dimensional (3D) measurement technique is established using a high-speed stereoscopic shadowgraph system, which is applied to investigate the 3D splashing dynamics of silicone oil dropping on liquid films quantitatively. Both crown-type splashing and crown wall bottom breakdown splashing morphologies are involved for measurement and comparison. Based on the shadowgraph images, the secondary droplets diameter, number and mass fraction are determined. The three-dimensional (3D) coordinates of the secondary droplets during the splashing processes are reconstructed and tracked, based on which the 3D trajectories, velocities, ejecting angles and kinetic energy are calculated and analysed. It is found that the secondary droplets in crown bottom breakdown cases have a larger mass fraction and kinetic energy than that in crown-type splashing cases. The measurement indicates that the radial velocity increases with the decreasing of film thickness, while the vertical velocity does not vary too much. Significant disparities between two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) velocity magnitudes as well as kinetic energy have been identified, which indicate that accurate time-resolved 3D measurements are of great importance for quantitative investigation of splashing phenomena and the high-speed stereoscopic shadowgraph system has been proved to be able to play a role.     

Multi-Scale Stereo-Photogrammetry System for Fractographic Analysis Using Scanning Electron Microscopy

Current systems for photogrammetry analysis rely mainly on two-dimensional visualization methods, particularly Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The absence of three-dimensional information prevents the determination of important quantitative features such as local roughness and precludes a deeper comprehension of the failure mechanisms. This paper describes a new multi-scale stereo-photogrammetry system for inspection of fracture surfaces based on SEM images. The system facilitates the reconstruction of complete 3D fracture surfaces and provides interactive visualization of the multi-scale structure, thus offering better insight into fracture surfaces at different levels of detail. In particular, a new method has been developed for geometric reconstruction of a 3D textured mesh from SEM stereo images. The mesh is represented as a 3D geometric multi-resolution structure. The sampled images are represented in the form of a multi-scale hierarchical textured structure. Thus, the global shape of the sample is represented by a 3D mesh, while its micro details are represented by textured data. This multi-scale and hierarchical structure allows interactive multi-scale navigation of the 3D textured mesh. The Regions of Interest (ROI) can actually be inspected interactively at different scales by means of optical or digital zooming. Thus, the digital model can be visualized and the behavior of the 3D material can be analyzed interactively. The contributions of this research include: (a) a new 3D multi-scale reconstruction method for SEM stereo images; (b) a new visualization module for multi-scale inspection, modeling and analysis of micro-structures for a variety of materials; and (c) 3D insight into and better understanding of fracture phenomena for material micro-structures. The feasibility of the proposed method is demonstrated on samples of different materials, and a performance analysis is applied on the resulting multi-scale model. The roughness calculation was verified against roughness calculation applied to the optical profilometer.     

激波风洞内超燃冲压发动机三面压缩进气道流场实验观测

主要进行了超燃冲压发动机三面压缩进气道的实验观测。利用来流马赫数4.5的直通式激波风洞,考察了三组具有不同压缩角度的进气道模型内部的流场情况。实验观测手段为油流法、丝线法和高速纹影,同时,辅以数值模拟以有助于流场细节分析。纹影照片展示了进气道内部以激波边界层相互作用为主要影响因素的流场复杂结构,数值模拟也显示了相近的结果。油流技术与丝线法显示了近壁面处的流动图像,照片中可见激波、分离线、再附线等分界线位置。根据实验结果,可以推测唇口激波与进气道内边界层的相互作用及其引起的壁面分离是影响进气道内流动的主要因素。同时,尝试了利用抽吸方法减弱激波与边界层相互作用诱发的壁面流动分离,并取得一定结果。     

3D particle streak velocimetry by defocused imaging

Particle streak velocimetry (PSV) has become one of the important branches of flow filed measurements. It extracts velocity information from particle trajectories captured by single frame long exposure images. Since the defocus of moving particle is inevitable during a long exposure time and under a large magnification, a novel three-dimensional (3D) velocity measurement method named defocusing particle streak velocimetry (DPSV) is proposed in this paper. On the one hand, an extension from two-dimensional (2D) to 3D velocity measurement with a monocular system is carried out. The depth information of the particle, which reflects the position in the third dimension, is indicated by the defocusing degree (characteristic parameter σ) of the particle images. The variation of σ along the trajectory is recognized by surface fitting of the gray value distribution of particle images, assuming that σ varies linearly along the trajectory. On the other hand, based on the linear fitting for the straight trajectory, an arc fitting model is developed for curved trajectories which are commonly captured in turbulent flow. The relationship between σ and the particle depth position z is experimentally calibrated using a LED light and a diaphragm. Finally, the DPSV method is verified in a submerged jet flow field as well as in a microchannel flow field to obtain the 3D velocity field with single monocular system.     

A new simulation framework for predicting the onset and effects of fines mobilization

Fines release and migration is a universal problem in the production of oil from poorly consolidated sandstone reservoirs. This problem can result in the changes of porosity and permeability. It may not only damage a production facility, but it can also have a profound effect on oil recovery, resulting from the change in heterogeneity of the oil formation. Based on the macroscopic continuous porous media, continuity equations for multiphase flow in oil formations, and the theories of fines release and migration, a three-dimensional (3D) field scale mathematical model describing migration of fines in porous media is developed. The model is solved by a finite-difference method and the line successive over relaxation (LSOR) technique. A numerical simulator is written in Fortran 90 and it can be used to predict (1) the ratio of fines to production liquid volume, (2) the permeability change caused by colloidal and hydrodynamic forces resulting from fines release and migration, and (3) production performance. The numerical results of the one-dimensional model were verified by the data obtained by core displacement experiments. The sensitivity of numerical results with grid block size was studied by coarse grids, moderate grids, and fine grids. In addition, an oil field example with five-spot patterns was made on the numerical simulator. The results show that fines migration in an oil formation can accelerate the development of heterogeneity of the reservoir rock, and has an obvious influence on production performance, i.e., water drive front, water-cut trends, and oil recovery.     

An improved smoke-wire flow visualization technique using capacitor as power source

An improved smoke-wire flow visualization technique using a large capacitor as the power source was proposed. Electric current discharged from capacitors was used to heat a fine metal wire suspended in the flow field. The oil droplets attached to the wire were vaporized and smoke filaments followed the flow motions. A digital camera was used to record the images of the smoke filaments. The actions of discharging and camera shutter were triggered by signals from a microcontroller to ensure the accurate timing. Clear images of the streaklines were captured at a freestream velocity up to 12.9 m/s, much higher than the limits of the existing techniques.     

基于三棱柱体的三维地质体可视化研究

三维可视化技术能形象表达地层信息的真实形态及构造要素的空间关系而应用广泛,建立了一种以三棱柱体作为基本体元来实现三维地质体可视化的方法,该方法通过对三角形的自分解并且充分考虑地质体内所存在的断层等地质现象,在引入虚拟钻孔的基础上,建立三维模型,该模型通过自分解而实现地质体内部信息的显示,最后用实际资料进行了验证。     

Application of pressure-sensitive paint for determination of the pressure field and calculation of the forces and moments of models in a wind tunnel

The visualization and measurements of aerodynamic effects on a 3D aircraft model were conducted using an optical pressure measurement system, based on the pressure-sensitive paint (PSP) technique. PSP technology provides a good understanding of the flow around the wind tunnel model. The PSP technique can be used to carry out absolute pressure measurements on a surface of the model and to determine additional aerodynamic data using scientific-grade cameras and image processing techniques. Surface pressures from the top, bottom, left, and right viewing directions were obtained using the DLR-PSP system on the entire surface, which can be observed by eight CCD cameras. Finally, the measured pressures can be integrated to calculate the forces and moments of the complete model, or parts thereof.     

Microscale 3D flow mapping with μDDPIV

Three-dimensional (3D) quantitative flow visualization by tracking microscale particles has become an invaluable tool in microfluid mechanics. Defocusing digital particle image velocimetry (DDPIV) can recover spatial coordinates by calculating the separation between defocused images generated by an aperture mask with a plurality of pinholes. In this paper, a high-speed 3D micro-DDPIV (μDDPIV) system was devised based on this technique to achieve microscale velocity field measurements. A micro-volume of 400 × 300 μm² with a depth of 150 μm has been mapped using an inverted microscope equipped with a 20× objective lens. The proposed technique was successfully applied to 3D tracking of 2-μm fluorescent particles inside an evaporating water droplet.     

Surface flow pattern and local mass transfer on the free-end surface of a finite circular cylinder

 Relation between the surface flow pattern and the local mass transfer characteristic on the free end surface of a finite circular cylinder mounted on a flat plate was investigated using the oil surface flow visualization and the naphthalene sublimation technique. The aspect ratio [the ratio of the cylinder length to the cylinder diameter (H/D)] was 1.25 and the Reynolds number based on the diameter was 1.48 × 10⁵. Several kinds of critical points on the free-end surface were identified by the visualization and the mass transfer measurement around those critical points through the naphthalene sublimation technique was then performed to investigate the relation between the flow and mass transfer. The free-end surface flow was topologically characterized by the presence of a saddle point and two focal points in the fore-half portion of the surface and two nodes and a saddle point in the rear-half portion. It was found that the rate of mass transfer was largest in the vicinity of the nodes in the rear-half of the free-end surface. Received on 26 April 2000