The structures of turbulent boundary layer in the vicinity of separation

Large coherent structures of turbulent boundary layer in the vicinity of separation were observed in a water channel by the hydrogen bubble method. Motion pictures of the de views were taken. The features of the instantaneous velocity profiles, the large transverse and streamwise vortices were discussed.     

Models of the Interaction between a Laminar Boundary Layer and a Transonic Flow

Possible regimes of viscous-inviscid interaction at transonic external flow velocities are investigated. It is shown that different flow regimes can exist depending on the relation between such parameters as the disturbance amplitude and the Mach and Reynolds numbers. Corresponding mathematical models are formulated and the solutions of some problems describing linear regimes of disturbance development are obtained. The models developed make it possible to describe all the possible interaction regimes.     

Control of cross flow in the three-dimensional boundary layer using space-periodic body force action

The possibility of attenuation of the cross flow in the three-dimensional incompressible laminar boundary layer on a sideslipping wing under the action of body force sources simulating the time-average forces generated by a surface electric discharge is estimated. The effect of the distance between the sources and the sideslip angle of the wing on the cross flow velocity is investigated for the source intensity observed experimentally.     

Nonlinear Disturbances and Weak Discontinuities in a Supersonic Boundary Layer

The processes of wave disturbance propagation in a supersonic boundary layer with self-induced pressure [1–4] are analyzed. The application of a new mathematical apparatus, namely, the theory of characteristics for systems of differential equations with operator coefficients [5–8], makes it possible to obtain generalized characteristics of the discrete and continuous spectra of the governing system of equations. It is shown that the discontinuities in the derivatives of the solution of the boundary layer equations are concentrated on the generalized characteristics. It is established that in the process of flow evolution the amplitude of the weak discontinuity in the derivatives may increase without bound, which indicates the possibility of breaking of nonlinear waves traveling in the boundary layer.     

The unstable modes of natural convection boundary layer

The instability of natural convection boundary layer around a vertical heated flat plate is analyzed theoretically in this paper. The results illustrate that the “loop” in the neutral curve is not a real loop but a twist of the curve in the frequency-wave number-Grashof number space, and there is only one unstable mode at small Prandtl numbers. Specially, when the Prandtl number is large enough two unstable modes will be found in the “loop” region. Along the amplyfying surface intersection the two unstable modes have the same Grashof number, wave number and frequency but different amplifying rates. Their instability characteristics are analyzed and the criterion for determining the existence of the multi-unstable modes is also discussed.     

Differential characteristics of the flow field in a plane overexpanded jet in the vicinity of the nozzle lip

A method of theoretical investigation of the flow field in a two-dimensional (plane-parallel or axisymmetric) overexpanded jet of an ideal perfect gas in the vicinity of the nozzle lip is described. The changes in curvature of the shock wave emanating from the lip, as well as the shock-wave intensity and flow parameters behind the shock are analyzed as functions of the Mach number, pressure ratio in the plane jet, and ratio of specific heats of the gas. __________ Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika i Tekhnicheskaya Fizika, Vol. 47, No. 3, pp. 72–83, May–June, 2006.     

Numerical experiments on the stability of leading edge boundary layer flow: A two-dimensional linear study

A numerical study is performed in order to gain insight to the stability of the infinite swept attachment line boundary layer. The basic flow is taken to be of the Hiemenz class with an added cross-flow giving rise to a constant thickness boundary layer along the attachment line. The full Navier-Stokes equations are solved using an initial value problem approach after two-dimensional perturbations of varying amplitude are introduced into the basic flow. A second-order-accurate finite difference scheme is used in the normal-to-the-wall direction, while a pseudospectral approach is employed in the other directions; temporally, an implicit Crank-Nicolson scheme is used. Extensive use of the efficient fast Fourier transform (FFT) algorithm has been made, resulting in substantial savings in computing cost. Results for the two-dimensional linear regime of perturbations are in very good agreement with past numerical and theoretical investigations, without the need for specific assumptions used by the latter, thus establishing the generality of our method.     

Investigating flow topologies in boundary layer transition using direct numerical simulation

A numerical method developed for simulating three-dimensional incompressible boundary layer flow is presented. K-type transition up to the two-spike stage is simulated, and flow topologies at various stages of transition are determined. Comparison with flow topologies from other simulations of turbulent and transitioning flows is made. Financial support provided by Air Operations Division, Aeronautical and Maritime Research Laboratory, Defence Science and Technology Organisation, Australia.     

Heat transfer experiments in rotating boundary layer flow

The influence of Coriolis force on heat transfer in a rotating transitional boundary layer has been experimentally investigated. The experiments have been conducted for local Görtler numbers up to 150. Heat transfer measurements have been performed for a flat plate with nearly uniform heat flux applied to the surface, where the temperature was measured by the thermochromic liquid crystal method. The results indicate that heat transfer is enhanced when Coriolis force acts towards the wall, i.e., on the pressure surface. The velocity measurements under equivalent conditions show that Coriolis instability induces counter-rotating longitudinal vortices which augment the lateral transport of the fluid on the pressure surface. On the other hand, the heat transfer on the suction surface remains at the same level as compared to the case without system rotation. As a consequence, the heat transfer coefficient on the pressure surface is 1.8 times higher than that measured on the suction surface when averaged over the measured surface.     

Stability of a disperse-mixture flow in a boundary layer

The hydrodynamic stability of a dilute disperse mixture flow in a quasi-equilibrium region of a boundary layer with a significantly nonuniform particle concentration profile is investigated. The mixture is described by a two-fluid model with an incompressible viscous carrier phase. In addition to the Stokes drag, the Saffman lifting force is taken into account in the interphase momentum exchange. On the basis of a numerical solution of the boundary-value problem for a modified Orr-Sommerfeld equation, neutral stability curves are analyzed and the dependence of the critical Reynolds number on the governing parameters is studied. It is shown that taking into account the particle concentration nonuniformity in the main flow and the Saffman lifting force significantly changes the stability limits of the two-phase laminar boundary layer flow. The effect of these factors on the boundary layer stability is considered for the first time.     

A kind of fast changing coherent structure in a turbulent boundary layer

Coherent structures of a turbulent boundary layer were investigated by hydrogen bubble method. A kind of fast changing structure was observed. That is a spot in which all the hydrogen bubbles vanish much faster than in other regions. This investigation verified that dark-spot is formed by a strong sweep from outer layer. Inside a dark-spot the local instantaneous flow speed might be four times of its neighboring high-speed streaks. Comparing with the low/high speed streaks, both dark-spot and the vortical structures around it are changing very fast. Around dark-spot intensive shear layers are formed and indications of the generation of small-scale structures could be observed. The project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 19672004) and the National Climbing Project     

DNS and scaling laws from new symmetry groups of ZPG turbulent boundary layer flow

The Lie group, or symmetry approach, developed by Oberlack (see e.g. Oberlack [26] and references therein) is used to derive new scaling laws for various quantities of a zero pressure gradient turbulent boundary layer flow. The approach unifies and extends the work done by Oberlack for the mean velocity of stationary parallel turbulent shear flows. From the two-point correlation (TPC) equations the knowledge of the symmetries allows us to derive a variety of invariant solutions (scaling laws) for turbulent flows, one of which is the new exponential mean velocity profile that is found in the mid-wake region of flat-plate boundary layers. Further, a third scaling group was found in the TPC equations for the one-dimensional turbulent boundary layer. This is in contrast to the Navier–Stokes and Euler equations, which have one and two scaling groups, respectively. The present focus is on the exponential law in the outer region of turbulent boundary layer corresponding new scaling laws for one- and two-point correlation functions. A direct numerical simulation (DNS) of a flat plate turbulent boundary layer with zero pressure gradient was performed at two different Reynolds numbers Re=750,2240. The Navier–Stokes equations were numerically solved using a spectral method with up to 140 million grid points. The results of the numerical simulations are compared with the new scaling laws. TPC functions are presented. The numerical simulation shows good agreement with the theoretical results, however only for a limited range of applicability. PACS 02.20.-a, 47.11.+j, 47.27.Nz, 47.27.Eq     

Dynamical characteristics of coherent structure in the outer region of turbulence boundary layer

In the present paper the coherent structures in the outer region of turbulent boundary layer were investigated experimentally and analytically. From the observation of the flow field over smooth wall, rough wall and sand wave wall, it was found that the direct effect of wall on the flow structure can reachy ⁺¹≈100, and both lateral and vertical vortices exist in the outer region, but the coherent structures in the outer region are mainly the formation, development and decay of the large-scale lateral vortices. By experimental and dynamical analysis, some influence factors and their relations associated with the dynamical process of lateral vortices were deduced. The project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China     

Effect of the boundary layer on the base pressure in a two-dimensional flow with a Mach number M = 5

New data on the base pressure in a two-dimensional ow with a Mach number M = 5 are obtained for a wide range of variation of the normalized boundary-layer thickness in the flow-separation cross section. The test results are compared with Tanner’s theory, and a conclusion is made that this numerical model has to be corrected. __________ Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika i Tekhnicheskaya Fizika, Vol. 46, No. 3, pp. 23–28, May–June, 2005.     

The effect of Reynolds number on boundary layer turbulence

A new facility for studying high Reynolds number incompressible turbulent boundary layer flows has been constructed. It consists of a moderately sized wind tunnel, completely enclosed by a pressure vessel, which can raise the ambient air pressure in and around the wind tunnel to 8 atmospheres. This results in a Reynolds number range of about 20:1, while maintaining incompressible flow. Results are presented for the zero pressure gradient flat plate boundary layer over a momentum thickness Reynolds number range 1500–15?000. Scaling issues for high Reynolds number non-equilibrium boundary layers are discussed, with data comparing the three-dimensional turbulent boundary layer flow over a swept bump at Reynolds numbers of 3800 and 8600. It is found that successful prediction of these types of flows must include length scales which do not scale on Reynolds number, but are inherent to the geometry of the flow.     

Large injection rates on unsteady compressible boundary layer flow over cones at angles of attack

Summary Three-dimensional unsteady laminar boundary layer near the planes of symmetry of sharp cones at angles of attack subject to large rates of injection is obtained numerically by using an implicit finite difference scheme in combination with the quasi-linearization technique. Several model gases are considered with Mach numbers, wall-to-total-enthalpy ratios, and cross-flow parameters spanning the ranges of main engineering interest. A detailed study has been made of the solutions in the symmetry plane, in order to increase the understanding of the problem. Various cases are considered, when the free-stream velocity and the surface mass transfer (injection) vary arbitrarily with time. The effects of viscous dissipation and the cross-flow parameter have also been discussed.This research has been partially supported by the Research and Development Centre for Iron and Steel, Steel Authority of India Ltd. The constructive comments of Professor G. Nath and Professor A. K. Lahiri are sincerely appreciated.     

Effect of a space-time source structure simulating a dielectric barrier discharge on the laminar boundary layer

The time-dependent pulse-periodic action of a surface electric discharge on a flat-plate laminar boundary layer is simulated theoretically. The effect of the discharge is estimated within the framework of the numerical solution of the boundary value problem for the time-dependent two-dimensional compressible boundary layer with additional terms in the momentum and energy conservation equations simulating the force and thermal action of the discharge on the gas flow with allowance for the pressure gradient across the boundary layer induced by the corresponding body force component. The effect of certain parameters of the problem formulated above on the gas velocity induced by the discharge in the boundary layer is also estimated.     

Effects of turbulent coherent structure on plume diffusion in atmosphere boundary layer

The simulation tests of plume diffusion have been carried out in an open water channel, in which a Laser Doppler Velocitymeter, optical concentration measurement and flow visualization technology have been used. Through experiments and theoretical analyses, the effects of environmental wind field, surface roughness and discharge condition of elevated source on plume diffusion have been investigated. The plume diffusion mechanism has been elucidated reasonably, based on the turbulent coherent structure theory.     

Effect of electrohydrodynamic interaction on the stability of a flat plate laminar boundary layer

The stability of a unipolarly charged electrohydrodynamic boundary layer on a flat dielectric plate along which an electric current flows between electrodes located on the plate is investigated within the framework of the linear theory. The solution of the steady-state problem is obtained on the basis of methods developed earlier for conditions typical of aerodynamical experiments and various electric currents and electrode voltages. The effect of the interaction between perturbations of the electric and hydrodynamic flow parameters on the flow stability is estimated within the framework of the locally homogeneous approximation. This effect turns out to be insignificant under the conditions considered. It is shown that steady-state electrohydrodynamic action on the main flow makes it possible to obtain “accelerating” velocity profiles with increased absolute values of the second derivative in the transverse direction. This ensures a significant increase in the critical Reynolds numbers of loss of stability and a narrowing of the growing perturbation wavenumber range.