Turbulent separated reattached flow in a two-dimensional curved-wall diffuser

A turbulent separation-reattachment flow in a two-dimensional asymmetrical curved-wall diffuser is studied by a two-dimensional laser doppler velocimeter. The turbulent boundary layer separates on the lower curved wall under strong pressure gradient and then reattaches on a parallel channel. At the inlet of the diffuser, Reynolds number based on the diffuser height is 1.2×10⁵ and the velocity is 25.2m/s. The results of experiments are presented and analyzed in new defined streamline-aligned coordinates. The experiment shows that after Transitory Detachment Reynolds shear stress is negative in the near-wall backflow region. Their characteristics are approximately the same as in simple turbulent shear layers near the maximum Reynolds shear stress. A scale is formed using the maximum Reynolds shear stresses. It is found that a Reynolds shear stress similarity exists from separation to reattachment and the Schofield-Perry velocity law exists in the forward shear flow. Both profiles are used in the experimental work that leads to the design of a new eddy-viscosity model. The length scale is taken from that developed by Schofield and Perry. The composite velocity scale is formed by the maximum Reynolds shear stress and the Schofield-Perry velocity scale as well as the edge velocity of the boundary layer. The results of these experiments are presented in this paper.