PIV studies of coherent structures generated at the end of a stack of parallel plates in a standing wave acoustic field

Oscillating flow near the end of a stack of parallel plates placed in a standing wave resonator is investigated using particle image velocimetry (PIV). The Reynolds number, Re _d , based on the plate thickness and the velocity amplitude at the entrance to the stack, is controlled by varying the acoustic excitation (so-called drive ratio) and by using two configurations of the stacks. As the Reynolds number changes, a range of distinct flow patterns is reported for the fluid being ejected from the stack. Symmetrical and asymmetrical vortex shedding phenomena are shown and two distinct modes of generating “vortex streets” are identified.     

Starting flow and structures of the starting vortex behind bluff bodies with sharp edges

Experimental investigations were made in a water channel on the starting flow around several bluff bodies with sharp edges: flat plates, circular disks and hollow hemispheres. Details of the flow structures were visualized using the hydrogen bubble technique. Three-fold structures of the starting vortex behind flat plates were observed. The shedding of the vortex sheet from the edge was also studied.     

Measurement of acoustic velocity in the stack of a thermoacoustic refrigerator using particle image velocimetry

Thermoacoustic refrigeration systems generate cooling power from a high-amplitude acoustic standing wave. There has recently been a growing interest in this technology because of its simple and robust architecture and its use of environmentally safe gases. With the prospect of commercialization, it is necessary to enhance the efficiency of thermoacoustic cooling systems and more particularly of some of their components such as the heat exchangers. The characterization of the flow field at the end of the stack plates is a crucial step for the understanding and optimization of heat transfer between the stack and the heat exchangers. In this study, a specific particle image velocimetry measurement is performed inside a thermoacoustic refrigerator. Acoustic velocity is measured using synchronization and phase-averaging. The measurement method is validated inside a void resonator by successfully comparing experimental data with an acoustic plane wave model. Velocity is measured inside the oscillating boundary layers, between the plates of the stack, and compared to a linear model. The flow behind the stack is characterized, and it shows the generation of symmetric pairs of counter-rotating vortices at the end of the stack plates at low acoustic pressure level. As the acoustic pressure level increases, detachment of the vortices and symmetry breaking are observed.     

Effect of velocity ratio on the streamwise vortex structures in the wake of a stack

The time-averaged velocity and streamwise vorticity fields within the wake of a stack were investigated in a low-speed wind tunnel using a seven-hole pressure probe. The experiments were conducted at a Reynolds number, based on the stack external diameter, of Re_D=2.3×10⁴. The stack, of aspect ratio AR=9, was mounted normal to a ground plane and was partially immersed in a flat-plate turbulent boundary layer, where the ratio of the boundary layer thickness to the stack height was δ/H≈0.5. The jet-to-cross-flow velocity ratio was varied from R=0 to 3, which covered the downwash, crosswind-dominated and jet-dominated flow regimes. In the downwash and crosswind-dominated flow regimes, two pairs of counter-rotating streamwise vortex structures were identified within the stack wake. The tip vortex pair located close to the free end of the stack, and the base vortex pair located close to the ground plane within the flat-plate boundary layer, were similar to those found in the wake of a finite circular cylinder, and were associated with the upwash and downwash flow fields within the stack wake, respectively. In the jet-dominated flow regime, a third pair of streamwise vortex structures was observed, referred to as the jet-wake vortex pair, which occurred within the jet-wake region above the free end of the stack. The jet-wake vortex pair had the same orientation as the base vortex pair and was associated with the jet rise. The peak vorticity and strength of the streamwise vortex structures were functions of the jet-to-cross-flow velocity ratio. For the tip vortex structures, their peak vorticity and strength reduced as the jet-to-cross-flow velocity ratio increased.     

Entrance effects in the channels of the parallel plate stack in oscillatory flow conditions

This paper considers an entrance flow into the channels formed by a stack of parallel plates, placed in an acoustic resonator that provides oscillatory flow forcing. Interesting complex flow phenomena around the extremity of the stack are observed, essentially due to the introduction of cross-sectional discontinuities: vortex formation and shedding during the fluid ejection from the channels and development of an entrance flow during the suction phase, when the fluid enters the channels from outside. It is the latter that is of particular interest in this study. Particle image velocimetry (PIV) is used to investigate the flow structures in the “entrance region”. Velocity profiles are measured as a function of phase angle within an oscillation period and the distance from the stack end into the channel. Using the data obtained, an “entrance length” defined by analogy with existing fluid mechanical definitions, is estimated. The experiments are supplemented by CFD calculations to improve the understanding of such entrance flows.     

Turbulent wake behind a T-shaped plate: Comparison with a cross-shaped plate

The wake behind T-shaped intersecting flat plates has been studied by direct numerical simulations and compared with the wake behind intersecting plates forming a cross. The Reynolds number based on the uniform inflow velocity and the plate width d was 1000. Similar to the cross-plate the vortex shedding was suppressed in a 4d wide intersection region with a substantial base suction pressure reduction. Shear-layer (K-H) instabilities have been observed and its characteristic frequency obtained. In contrast to the cross-plate, a main feature of the mean wake structure behind the T-plate is the formation of two symmetrically positioned swirling vortices close to the internal corners of the T. This was examined by considering pressure contours and the turbulent production terms of mean streamwise vorticity. In spite of some similarities, major features of the wake behind the T-plate turned out to be distinctly different from the wake behind a cross-plate configuration.     

Behavior of the vorticity vector in supersonic axisymmetric swirl flows behind a detonation wave

The behavior of the vorticity vector on a discontinuity surface arising in a supersonic nonuniform combustible gas flow with the formation of a shock or detonation wave is studied. In the general case, it is a vortex flow with prescribed distributions of parameters. It is demonstrated that the ratio of the tangential component of vorticity to density remains continuous in passing through the discontinuity surface, while the quantities proper become discontinuous. Results calculated for flow vorticity behind a steady-state detonation wave in an axisymmetric supersonic flow of a combustible mixture of gases are presented. __________ Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika i Tekhnicheskaya Fizika, Vol. 48, No. 6, pp. 15–21, November–December, 2007     

Scanning PIV investigation of the laminar separation bubble on a SD7003 airfoil

A laminar separation bubble occurs on the suction side of the SD7003 airfoil at an angle of attack α =  4–8° and a low Reynolds number less than 100,000, which brings about a significant adverse aerodynamic effect. The spatial and temporal structure of the laminar separation bubble was studied using the scanning PIV method at α =  4° and Re = 60,000 and 20,000. Of particular interest are the dynamic vortex behavior in transition process and the subsequent vortex evolution in the turbulent boundary layer. The flow was continuously sampled in a stack of parallel illuminated planes from two orthogonal views with a frequency of hundreds Hz, and PIV cross-correlation was performed to obtain the 2D velocity field in each plane. Results of both the single-sliced and the volumetric presentations of the laminar separation bubble reveal vortex shedding in transition near the reattachment region at Re = 60,000. In a relatively long distance vortices characterized by paired wall-normal vorticity packets retain their identities in the reattached turbulent boundary layer, though vortices interact through tearing, stretching and tilting. Compared with the restricted LSB at Re = 60,000, the flow at Re = 20,000 presents an earlier separation and a significantly increased reversed flow region followed by “huge” vortical structures.     

Experimental study of steady concentration fields in turbulent wakes

 The pollutant transportation process in turbulent wakes is studied experimentally using planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF). The concentration fields in the very near wake region behind typical bluff bodies are measured for steady flow. The characteristics of the mean and instantaneous concentration fields behind circular and sinusoidal islands and peninsulas are investigated. The results indicate that the pollutant distribution is closely related with the unsteady vortex shedding in the flow field. Compared with that of the circular island, more pollutants enter into the wake generated by the sinusoidal-shaped island. The time needed for pollutants to accumulate in or drain out of the wake region after the peninsula before reaching a relatively constant value is longer than that for the islands, regardless of the island or peninsula shape. The results will facilitate pollutant control behind sea islands and other natural or man-made structures in water. Also the results provide some fundamental data for checking numerical models. Received: 11 November 2000/Accepted: 26 January 2001     

Flow past confined delta-wing type vortex generators

This paper presents the results of an experimental study of flow structure in horizontal equilateral triangular ducts having double rows of half delta-wing type vortex generators mounted on the duct’s slant surfaces. The test ducts have the same axial length and hydraulic diameter of 4 m and 58.3 mm, respectively. Each duct consists of double rows of half delta wing pairs arranged either in common flow-up or common flow-down configurations. Flow field measurements were performed using a Particle Image Velocimetry Technique for hydraulic diameter based Reynolds numbers in the range of 1000-8000. The secondary flow field differences generated by two different vortex generator configurations were examined in detail. The secondary flow is found stronger behind the second vortex generator pair than behind the first pair but becomes weaker far from the second pair in the case of Duct1. However, the strength of the secondary flow is found nearly the same behind the first and the second vortex generator pair as well as far from the second vortex generator pair in the case of Duct2. Both ducts are able to create a counter-rotating and a second set of twin foci. Duct2 is able to create the second set of twin foci in an earlier streamwise location than Duct1, as these foci are well-known to their heat transfer augmentation. A larger vortex formation area and a greater induced vorticity field between vortex pairs are observed for Duct2 compared with Duct1. As the induced flow field between the vortex pairs increases the heat transfer, and as the flow field between the vortex cores is found larger in the case of Duct2, therefore, it is expected to obtain better heat transfer characteristics for Duct2 compared with Duct1.     

Some Features of a Turbulent Separated Flow and Heat Transfer Behind a Step and a Rib. 1. Flow Structure

The influence of the shape and size of the obstacle on separated flow and heat transfer is studied experimentally. Results of investigation and comparative analysis of the hydrodynamic structure of a separated flow behind a step and a rib are presented. A principally different character of transfer processes in the separated flow behind obstacles of these types is demonstrated. The flow structure in the secondary vortex region is considered.     

Observations of large-scale structures in wakes behind axisymmetric bodies

Wakes behind disk-shaped axisymmetric bodies of varying solidity are studied using flow visualization and two-dimensional Fourier decomposition of velocity measurements. Evidence of a reverse flow region behind some of the bodies is observed to coincide with the presence of large-scale structures in the near and far wake. Fourier analysis shows that these large-scale structures are predominately helical (m= ±1) and occur at a characteristic frequency which corresponds to their wavelength as observed from flow visualization. Our measured value for this characteristic frequency agrees with vortex shedding frequencies observed for these types of wakes.     

Velocity distributions in a hydrocyclone separator

 The internal three-dimensional flow field in a hydrocyclone was studied using laser velocimetry. Seven axial planes were investigated for three different inlet flow rates and three independent and different rejects rates. Results at each measurement plane showed that the measured tangential velocity profile behaves like a forced vortex at the region near the air core, and like a free vortex in the outer portion of the flow. The peak nondimensional tangential velocity decreases as the distance from the inlet region increases, however, the peak dimensional tangential velocity increases as the distance from the inlet region increases. The nondimensional peak tangential velocities are approximately equal for all of the flow rates. The magnitude of the tangential velocity increased in the inner forced vortex region as the rejects rate was increased. Backflows exist in the axial velocity profile near the inlet region, but these reversed flows disappear in the exit region. The dimensional vorticity is proportional to inlet flow rate and decreases with increasing rejects flow rates. Received: 27 February 2001/Accepted: 19 June 2001     

激波在平板上诱导的旋涡强度的测量

运动激波通过两个等攻角平板后诱导出两个同向旋转的旋涡，这两个旋涡在随当地气流向下游运动的同时，绕涡核连线中心旋转。本文通过测量涡对的转动角度速度，获得了每个旋涡的强度。实验结果表明，由此测得的旋涡强度不同用于小攻角平板起动涡公式计算了起动涡强度。     

Scanning PIV measurements of a laminar separation bubble

Scanning PIV is applied to a laminar separation bubble to investigate the spanwise structure and dynamics of the roll-up of vortices within the bubble. The laminar flow separation with turbulent reattachment is studied on the suction side of an airfoil SD7003 at Reynolds numbers of 20,000–60,000. The flow is recorded with a CMOS high-speed camera in successive light-sheet planes over a time span of 1–2 s to resolve the temporal evolution of the flow in the different planes. The results show the quasi-periodic development of large vortex-rolls at the downstream end of the separation bubble, which have a convex structure and an extension of 10–20% chord length in the spanwise direction. These vortices possess an irregular spanwise pattern. The evolution process of an exemplary vortex structure is shown in detail starting from small disturbances within the separation bubble transforming into a compact vortex at the downstream end of the separation bubble. As the vortex grows in size and strength it reaches a critical state that leads to an abrupt burst of the vortex with a large ejection of fluid into the mean flow.     

Vortex shedding from a circular cylinder with a slit and concave rear surface

Vortex shedding from short circular cylinders with a slit was studied using a flow visualization and amplitude spectrum analysis of a thermoanemometry probe signal. It was found that a circular cylinder with a slit and concave rear surface produces stronger vortices than other bluff cylinders but that these vortices are very vulnerable to the end wall conditions. It was established that two small splitter plates (tails) fixed directly behind the cylinder at the end walls effectively isolate the vortices shed from the cylinder from the end wall boundary layer effects. For this arrangement a perfect regularity of vortex shedding and almost constant Strouhal number were achieved in the Reynolds number test range of about 250 to 43,000.On a leave from Technical University, 60965 Poznan, Piotrowo 3, Poland.     

Formation of a 2D vortex pair and its 3D breakup: an experimental study

 Vortex pairs are studied using a dye tracing visualisation technique and a particle tracking velocimetry system. The vortex pairs are produced by gravity induced inlets of water issued through a uniform gap. The inlet Reynolds number is Re=Ud/ν≈875 in all tests (d being the gap width and U the cross sectional mean velocity), i.e. the flow is in the laminar regime. Initially, the dipolar vortex structure is two-dimensional, but after travelling a distance of a few times its own width, the flow structure becomes unstable, breaks up and changes into a three-dimensional flow structure. The breakup appears to be caused by an axial flow in the core centres of each vortex of the dipolar structure. These axial flows are induced by boundary effects related to the von Karman viscous pump. After the breakup, it is believed that a vortex ring is formed through reconnection of rudiments from the dipolar structure mediated by the wall induced vorticity. Received: 20 November 1995/Accepted: 14 November 1996     

Flow around a cylinder at the beginning of the critical region

Results of experiments with a turbulent flow around a transversely aligned circular cylinder located at identical distances from the walls of a rectangular channel are reported. Data on averaged velocity fields around the cylinder are obtained by means of particle image velocimetry (PIV). Based on these fields, the near wake behind the cylinder is studied, and the kinematic characteristics for flow regimes with and without cavitation are compared. Based on the vector fields of averaged velocity, the angles of separation of the boundary layer from the cylinder surface in the considered flow regimes are determined. The drag coefficients of the cylinder for different flow regimes are calculated. It is demonstrated that the vortex region behind the cylinder and the drag coefficient of the cylinder increase in the case with cavitation. It is also shown that vortex shedding from the cylinder may be irregular, despite the fact that this process is quasi-periodic for most of the time.     

Vortex shedding from a square cylinder in presence of a moving wall

A numerical study on the flow past a square cylinder placed parallel to a wall, which is moving at the speed of the far field has been made. Flow has been investigated in the laminar Reynolds number (based on the cylinder length) range. We have studied the flow field for different values of the cylinder to wall separation length. The governing unsteady Navier–Stokes equations are discretized through the finite volume method on a staggered grid system. A SIMPLE type of algorithm has been used to compute the discretized equations iteratively. A shear layer of negative vortex generates along the surface of the wall, which influences the vortex shedding behind the cylinder. The flow‐field is distinct from the flow in presence of a stationary wall. An alternate vortex shedding occurs for all values of gap height in the unsteady regime of the flow. The strong positive vortex pushes the negative vortex upwards in the wake. The gap flow in the undersurface of the cylinder is strong and the velocity profile overshoots. The cylinder experiences a downward force for certain values of the Reynolds number and gap height. The drag and lift are higher at lower values of the Reynolds number. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Experimental study of three-dimensional vortex structures in translating and rotating plates

Motivated by the unsteady force generation of flying animals, vortex formation and vorticity transport processes around small aspect-ratio translating and rotating plates with a high angle of attack are investigated. Defocusing Digital Particle Image Velocimetry was employed to explore the structure and dynamics of the vortex generated by the plates. For both translating and rotating cases, we observe the presence of a spanwise flow over the plate and the consequent effect of vorticity transport due to the tilting of the leading-edge vortex. While the spanwise flow is confined inside the leading-edge vortex for the translating case, it is widely present over the plate and the wake region of the rotating case. The distribution of the spanwise flow is a prominent distinction between the vortex structures of these two cases. As the Reynolds number decreases, due to the increase in viscosity, the leading-edge and tip vortices tend to spread inside the area swept by the rotating plate. The different vorticity distributions of the low and high Reynolds number cases are consistent with the difference in measured lift forces, which is confirmed using the vorticity moment theory.