Rotationally symmetric spontaneous swirling in MHD flows

The stability of steady axisymmetricMHD flows of an inviscid, incompressible, perfectly conducting fluid with respect to swirling—perturbations of the azimuthal components of the velocity field—is studied in a linear approximation. It is shown that for flows similar to a magnetohydrodynamic Hill-Shafranov vortex, the problem reduces to a one-dimensional problem on a closed streamline of the unperturbed flow (the arc length of the streamline is the spatial coordinate). A spectral boundary-value eigenvalue problem is formulated for a system of two ordinary differential equations with periodic coefficients and periodic boundary conditions. Sufficient conditions under which swirling is impossible are obtained. Numerical solution of the characteristic equation shows that, under certain conditions, for each streamline there is a real eigenvalue that yields monotonic exponential growth of the initial perturbations. Lavrent’ev Institute of Hydrodynamics, Siberian Division, Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk 630090. Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika i Tekhnicheskaya Fizika, Vol. 41, No. 5, pp. 120–129, September–October, 2000.     

Large-eddy structures of turbulent swirling flows and methane-air swirling diffusion combustion

Turbulent swirling flows and methane-air swirling diffusion combustion are studied by large-eddy simulation (LES) using a Smagorinsky-Lilly subgrid scale turbulence model and a second-order moment (SOM) SGS combustion model, and also by RANS modeling using the Reynolds Stress equation model with the IPCM+wall and IPCM pressure-strain models and SOM combustion model. The LES statistical results for swirling flows give good agreement with the experimental results, indicating that the adopted subgrid-scale turbulence model is suitable for swirling flows. The LES instantaneous results show the complex vortex shedding pattern in swirling flows. The initially formed large vortex structures soon break up in swirling flows. The LES statistical results of combustion modeling are near the experimental results and are as good as the RANS-SOM modeling results. The LES results show that the size and range of large vortex structures in swirling combustion are different from those of isothermal swirling flows, and the chemical reaction is intensified by the large-eddy vortex structures. The project supported by the Special Funds for Major State Basic Research (G-1999-0222-07). The English text was polished by Keren Wang.     

On swirling jets

An exact solution to the Navier-Stokes equations is found for a jet emanating from the end of a vortex filament into a region filled with a fluid. Depending on the degree of swirling of the jet, a closed or open flow regime is realized. In the case of strong swirling, the solution is not unique. Approximate analytic solutions to problems as well as numerical solutions are given.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 1, pp. 26–35, January–February, 1979.I am grateful to M. Kh. Pravdin for the numerical calculations.     

The swirling radial jet

The similarity solution of the radial turbulent jet with weak swirl is discussed and a new solution of the radial turbulent jet with swirl is proposed without restrictions assumed in the weak swirl solution.     

Dynamics of swirling jet flows

Experimental investigations of near-field structure of coaxial flows are presented for four different configurations: coaxial jets without rotation (reference case), outer flow rotating only (OFRO), inner-jet rotating only (IJRO) and corotating jets (CRJ). The investigations are performed in a cylindrical water tunnel, with an independent rotation of two coaxial flows. Laser tomography is used to document the flow field, and photographs are shown for different configurations. Time mean velocity profiles obtained by PIV, with and without swirl, are also presented. The dynamics of the swirling jets in the initial region (i.e. near the exit of the jets) is described. The effects of azimuthal velocity and axial velocity ratio variations on flow dynamics are examined. The appearance and growth of the first instabilities are presented and compared with some theoretical results, as is the influence of the rotation (inner or outer) on the dominating structures.     

Calculation of two-phase swirling flows

The results of calculating the diffusion of a dispersed admixture in turbulent swirling jet flows using the model of momentum transfer in a turbulent gas—dispersion flow proposed by the authors are presented. These results are compared with experimental data and with calculations based on various mathematical models. Moscow. Translated from Izvestiya Rossiiskoi Akademii Nauk, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No.1, pp. 71–78, January–February, 1994.     

The swirling radial jet

The similarity solution of the radial turbulent jet with weak swirl is discussed and a new solution of the radial turbulent jet with swirl is proposed without restrictions assumed in the weak swirl solution.Nomenclature e swirl parameter - k experimental constant - l non-negative constant - M, M , N, P integral invariants - q velocity component in -direction - q _max maximum velocity component in -direction - u radial velocity component - u _max maximum radial velocity component - v axial velocity component - w peripheral velocity component - w _max maximum peripheral velocity component - x radial coordinate - y transverse coordinate - angle introduced in (28) - characteristic width of a jet - (x, y) similarity variable (scaled x and y coordinate) - molecular kinematic viscosity - _T eddy kinematic viscosity - tangential coordinate - fluid density - turbulent shear stress in -direction - _xy , _y components of turbulent shear stress tensor - (x, y) stream function     

The swirling radial free jet

Summary A general similarity solution suggested by Watson for the problem of the laminar, radial, free-jet with swirl has been previously discussed by Riley who also calculated the order to which the solution was valid. That problem is considered in more detail here and higher order terms are given. It is shown that a perturbation scheme for the stream function consisting of a series of inverse powers of and which uses the asymptotic similarity solution as the basic solution is inadequate, and a modification to the series so as to include terms like ⁿ (ln ) ^m must be adopted in order to satisfy the boundary conditions. It is also shown that the general similarity solution may be obtained from the asymptotic series representing the general case with swirl for certain special values of the free constants and also for the no-swirl or free-jet problem. The asymptotic series is given to order ^–13 for the case of swirl and to order ^–29 when there is no swirl.     

Spatial instability of a swirling flow

The instability of a swirling flow of an inviscidand incompressible fluid is studied on the assumption that the wavenumber k=k_r + ik_i of the disturbance is complex while its frequency ω is real. This implies that the disturbance grows with distance along the axis of the swirling flow, but it does not grow with time. The occurrence of such disturbance is called spatial instability, in contrast to the temporal instability, in which k is a real number and ω=ω_r + iω_i is a complex one. The results show that spatial instability analysis is a useful tool for the comprehensive understanding of the instability behaviours of a swirling flow.     

Development and stability of swirling flows

The purpose of this research is to investigate steady axisymmetric swirling flows in channels and free vortices and also to establish the role of hydrodynamic instability in the formation of the sharp changes in flow structure associated with an increased rate of rotation. On the basis of numerical solutions of the complete Navier-Stokes equations obtained by a finite-difference method swirling flows in pipes with impermeable and permeable walls and in a free vortex are investigated. The stability of the swirling axisymmetric flows is considered on the assumption of local parallelism: the problem of the normal modes developing against the background of the axisymmetric flow determined by the velocity profiles in local cross sections of the flow is solved. Attention is mainly concentrated on free vortex flows with reverse current zones, their structure and stability.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 4, pp. 3–11, July–August, 1988.     

The nonlinear evolution of swirling jets

We investigate the mechanisms of vorticity concentration, reorientation and stretching in a swirling jet, whose dynamics is dominated by the competition of a Kelvin-Helmholtz-type vortex sheet instability and a centrifugal Rayleigh instability. To this end, we employ an inviscid Lagrangian vortex filament technique. It is found that the axial jet velocity profile breaks the symmetry of the pure swirling flow. Conversely, the swirl is seen to modify the case dominated by a Kelvin-Helmholtz instability in that it results in the formation of counterrotating vortex rings. A pinch-off mechanism is observed which leads to a dramatic decrease in the local jet diameter. Furthermore, the vortex ring circulation is seen to be time dependent.

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Sommario In questo lavoro si analizza la dinamica della vorticità in un setto rotante in cui siano presenti, ed in competizione reciproca, fenomeni di instabilità di Kelvin-Helmholtz e di Rayleigh. A tale scopo si adotta una metodologia di soluzione non viscosa, Lagrangiana a filamenti vorticosi. Viene mostrato come il profilo di velocità assiale del getto altera la simmetria del moto di pura rotazione. Viceversa, la presenza della rotazione modifica il flusso dominato dall'instabilità di Kelvin-Helmholtz attraverso la formazione di anelli vorticosi controrotanti. L'interazione di questi due campi di velocità porta sia ad una considerevole riduzione del diametro locale del getto, sia ad una variazione temporale della circolazione degli anelli vorticosi.

     

Dynamics of premixed confined swirling flames

Considerable effort is currently being extended to examine the fundamental mechanisms of combustion instabilities and develop methods allowing predictions of these phenomena. One central aspect of this problem is the dynamical response of the flame to incoming perturbations. This question is examined in the present article, which specifically considers the response of premixed swirling flames to perturbations imposed on the upstream side of the flame in the feeding manifold. The flame response is characterized by measuring the unsteady heat release induced by imposed velocity perturbations. A flame describing function is defined by taking the ratio of the relative heat release rate fluctuation to the relative velocity fluctuation. This quantity is determined for a range of frequencies and for different levels of incoming velocity perturbations. The flame dynamics is also documented by calculating conditional phase averages of the light emission from the flame and taking the Abel transform of these average images to obtain the flame geometry at various instants during the cycle of oscillation. These data can be useful to the determination of possible regimes of instability. To cite this article: P. Palies et al., C. R. Mecanique 337 (2009).     

Transonic swirling flow in axisymmetric nozzles

Summary The transonic flow in axisymmetric choked nozzles is computed in the case of a radial distribution of tangential velocity. The flow configuration is obtained by means of a time-dependent technique. The swirling flow is achieved through a particular surface located at the inlet of the nozzle. The pressure distribution and the sonic line are presented for choked flows without or with swirling.

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Sommario Viene calcolato il flusso transonico in ugelli assialsimmetrici in condizione critica, nel caso di distribuzione radiale di velocità tangenziale.La soluzione è ottenuta numericamente tramite una tecnica instazionaria. Il flusso vorticoso viene creato attraverso una opportuna superficie all'ingresso dell'ugello. Vengono presentati i campi di pressione e la posizione della linea sonica per flussi critici, con e senza vortice.

     

Surfactant-induced effects on turbulent swirling flows

 We employ digital particle imaging velocimetry (DPIV) to investigate the influence of a drag reducing cationic surfactant additive, cetyltrimethyl-ammonium chloride (CTAC), on turbulent swirling flows generated in a cylindrical vessel either by a rotating disk or a rotating disk fitted with vertical flat blades. The largest concentration of CTAC used in this study (0.05 ≤ C ≤ 0.5 mmol/l) is an order of magnitude smaller than those used in experimental investigations of surfactant induced drag reduction in turbulent pipe/channel flows. Even for such dilute systems, a number of dramatic and intriguing effects are observed. In the case of disk-driven flow, it is shown that the surfactant has a non-monotonic influence on turbulence intensity: both radial and axial root mean square velocity fluctuations first increase with increasing surfactant concentration C, reach a maximum and decrease upon further increase in C. Moreover, the maximum intensity is attained at a concentration that is practically independent of the angular frequency Ω of the disk. For the flow driven by bladed impeller, the introduction of the surfactant leads to flow reversal at the impeller plane for low concentrations. Enhancement in the radial and azimuthal mean velocities is also observed. For relatively larger concentrations (=0.5 mmol/l), a mean flow field that consists of multiple transient mixing pockets emerges as Ω exceeds a critical value. Plausible mechanisms are proposed to explain these observations. Received: 11 September 2000 Accepted: 10 April 2001     

Buoyancy effects on turbulent swirling flows

A three-parameter model of turbulence applicable to free boundary layers has been developed and applied for the prediction of axisymmetric turbulent swirling flows in uniform and stagnant surroundings under the action of buoyancy forces. The turbulent momentum and heat fluxes appearing in the time-averaged equations for the mean motion have been determined from algebraic expressions, derived by neglecting the convection and diffusion terms in the differential transport equations for these quantities, which relate the turbulent fluxes to the kinetic energy of turbulence, k, the dissipation length scale of turbulence, L, and the temperature covariance, T ′². Differential transport equations have been used to determine these latter quantities. The governing equations have been solved using fully implicit finite difference schemes. The turbulence model is capable of reproducing the gross features of pure jet flows, buoyant flows and swirling flows for weak and moderate swirl. The behaviour of a turbulent buoyant swirling jet has been found to depend solely on exit swirl and Froude numbers. The predicted results indicate that the incorporation of buoyancy can cause significant changes in the behaviour of a swirling jet, particularly when the buoyancy strength is high. The jet exhibits similarity behaviour in the initial region for weak swirl and weak buoyancy strengths only, and the asymptotic case of a swirling jet under the action of buoyancy forces is a pure plume in the far field. The predicted results have been found to be in satisfactory agreement with the available experimental data and in good qualitative agreement with other predicted results.     

Jet characteristics in confined swirling flow

Jets in confined swirling flow are investigated in a facility where the swirling flow in the tube is produced by a vane-type swirler. The jet is located centrally in the swirler, and the diameter ratio of the tube to the jet is 14. Both the jet and the swirling flow are fully turbulent. Results show that the confined jet is highly dissipative in nature. Consequently, the flow in the tube does not resemble a free jet with axial pressure gradient. The presence of swirl increases the rate of dissipation and the jet decays even faster. A fairly isotropic turbulence field is observed in the confined swirling flow. However, the introduction of the jet does not significantly affect this behavior and near isotropy of the turbulence field is again observed at 30 jet diameters downstream.