Numerical prediction of vortex breakdown

Despite of numerous publications on breakdown, the essential details of the problem could not sufficiently be clarified in the sense that prediction of such flows can be made. While earlier investigations tried to establish criteria according to which it could be decided, whether breakdown would occur or not, more recent analyses mainly employ numerical integration techniques with the aim of predicting the flow. In particular, two approaches were used in recent investigations: One is the slender-vortex approximation, in which the conservation equations are simplified in the spirit of the boundary-layer theory, and the other relies on the solution of the Navier-Stokes equations. Both approaches are briefly reviewed in this paper, together with some of the important results. It is clear that because of the limited length of the paper, no details of the analysis can be given. The slender-vortex approximation and its extension to compressible flow will be discussed first. Thereafter some results will be reported on the numerical solution of the Navier-Stokes equations.     

Asymptotic theory of vortex breakdown

Axisymmetric breakdown of a vortex in a steady flow of incompressible fluid is investigated by means of an asymptotic analys is of the Navier-Stokes equations for large Reynolds number (R). A criterion for vortex breakdownis formulated. The region of slow motion resulting from vortex breakdown is shown to be bounded by an ellipsoid with length of order R^–1/4 and thickness of the order R^–3/8.Translated from Izvestiya Rossiiskoi Akademii Nauk, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 3, pp. 78–90, May–June, 1993.     

Interaction of heat release and vortex breakdown during flame flashback driven by combustion induced vortex breakdown

The interaction of heat release by chemical reaction and the flow dominates flame transition in swirling flows caused by combustion induced vortex breakdown (CIVB). The simultaneous application of 1 kHz high-speed particle imaging velocimetry (PIV) for the analysis of the flow field and OH planar laser-induced fluorescence for the detection of the flame front is particularly useful for the improvement of the understanding of the observed fast CIVB driven flame propagation. For the first time, the combination of both techniques was successfully applied to confined swirling flows. In the study, the flow field characteristics of an aerodynamically stabilized burner system with CIVB are analyzed in great depth. The influence of geometric parameters of the swirl generator was investigated and conclusions concerning the proper burner design of vortex breakdown premix burners are drawn from the experimental results. In particular, the effect of the vortex core with respect to the stability of the swirl stabilized burner is analyzed. The contribution of combustion to vortex breakdown is shown comparing isothermal and reacting flows. The presented data reveals that at the onset of CIVB driven flame transition, the azimuthal vorticity leads to the formation of a closed recirculation bubble at the tip of the internal recirculation zone. Once this bubble propagates upstream, the flame is able to follow and propagate relative to the bulk flow velocity with a velocity far beyond the turbulent flame speed. The interaction of reaction and flow was observed for different volumetric heat releases. The experiments confirm the CIVB theory of the authors, which was initially developed on the basis of a CFD study alone. Both the volume expansion and the baroclinic torque have an effect on whether fast flame propagation occurs. Whereas the volume expansion caused by the heat release stabilizes the flow field and the reaction, the baroclinic torque stimulates flame transition. For upstream propagation the flame tip has to have a position downstream of the stagnation point of the bubble. Else, the required transition inducing force is insufficient and the flame remains stable. In case the flame reaches positions too close or even upstream of the stagnation point, the fast propagation is interrupted or even prohibited. The key finding that the relative position of flame and stagnation bubble governs CIVB is discussed on the basis of high-speed LIF/PIV data as well as chemiluminescence. Since essentially the same behavior has been observed before in tests of a totally different swirler design and flow field, the conclusion can be made that the root cause for CIVB independent of the special geometry has been found.     

Numerical calculations of three-dimensional turbulent vortex breakdown

Numerical solutions to the three-dimensional, unsteady, incompressible Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations have been obtained for bubble-type vortex breakdown. Two different turbulence models were employed: (1) standard K-ε and (2) an explicit, regularized algebraic Reynolds stress model. Results are computed at a Reynolds number of 10,000. The algebraic Reynolds stress model produced a breakdown bubble with a larger length-to-diameter ratio than did the K-ε model. Breakdown also occurred at lower levels of adverse pressure gradient for the algebraic stress model than for the K-ε model. In each case single-cell breakdown structures resulted. This is contrasted with numerical calculations for laminar breakdown which reveal the existence of complex multicell bubble breakdown structures.     

Three-dimensional vortex structures in cavities

There are two main approaches in theoretical studies on the flow of liquids in planar cavities.Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Mekhaniki i Tekhnicheskoi Fiziki, No. 2, pp. 54–59, March–April, 1981.     

Three-dimensional instability of an elliptic Kirchhoff vortex

The instability of a Kirchhoff vortex [1–3] with respect to three-dimensional perturbations is considered in the linear approximation. The method of successive approximations is applied in the form described in [4–6]. The eccentricity of the core is used as a small parameter. The analysis is restricted to the calculation of the first two approximations. It is shown that exponentially increasing perturbations of the same type as previously predicted and observed in rotating flows in vessels of elliptic cross section [4–9] appear even in the first approximation. As distinct from the case of plane perturbations [1-3], where there is a critical value of the core eccentricity separating the stable and unstable flow regimes, instability is predicted for arbitrarily small eccentricity.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 3, pp. 40–45, May–June, 1988.     

Vortex breakdown as a fundamental element of vortex dynamics

This paper presents an extension of an earlier analysis on vortex breakdown in tubes of constant cross section by Keller et al. (1985) to axisymmetric vortex flows in tubes with varying cross-sectional area. A broad investigation into the properties of steady axisymmetric vortex flows is given, insofar as they can be represented by perfect-fluid theory and simple extensions of it. It is argued that the basic physics of such flows, including vortex breakdown phenomena, can be explained with the help of the relatively simple theoretical concepts proposed. Numerical results are presented which show complete flow fields of loss-free transitions in diffusers.     

Non-uniform recovery of vortex breakdown over delta wing in response to blowing along vortex core

The transient characteristics of vortical structure over delta wing are studied experimentally when subject to single along-core blowing perturbation. Two half delta wing models with different sweep angle = 60° and = 75° are investigated in this study. For = 75°, the transient location of the onset of vortex breakdown moves upstream monotonously toward the unperturbed location. However, for =60°, there exists a chordwise region where the upstream propagation of the onset location of vortex breakdown is temporarily delayed. This delay causes the recovery process (upstream propagation) of the onset location of vortex breakdown to be non-uniform. In fact, this non-uniform recovery may take on different appearance such as a plateau or overshoots and will last for several times of the convective time scaleC/U . Furthermore, the location of chordwise region corresponding to this delay depends strongly upon the angle of attack (AOA). In additions, the non-uniform recovering characteristic of the onset of vortex breakdown may not be observed at high AOA if the blowing rate is too low. The mechanism governing the non-uniform recovering characteristic is clearly verified through the LDA measurement and the phase-locked flow visualization. Evidently the mutual interaction between the primary vortex structure and the secondary vortex is the key mechanism that leads to non-uniform recovering character over delta wing with sweep angle of 60°The authors are grateful for the support of the this investigation from National Science Foundation of the Republic of China under the grant no. NSC-83-0424-E-005-006.     

Investigation of vortex breakdown on delta wings using Navier-Stokes equations

An efficient finite-difference scheme solving for the three-dimensional incompressible Navier-Stokes equations is described. Numerical simulations of vortex breakdown are then carried out for a sharp-edged delta wing and a round-edged double-delta wing at high Reynolds numbers. Computed results show that several major features of vortex breakdown are qualitatively in agreement with observations made in experiments.     

Computational modeling of vortex breakdown control on a delta wing

We present an effort to model the development and the control of the vortex breakdown phenomenon on a delta wing. The pair of the vortices formed on the suction side of a delta wing is the major contributor to the lift generation. As the angle of attack increases, these vortices become more robust, having high vorticity values. The critical point of a delta wing operation is the moment when these vortices, after a certain angle of attack, are detached from the wing surface and wing stall occurs. In order to delay or control the vortex breakdown mechanism, various techniques have been developed. In the present work, the technique based on the use of jet-flaps is numerically investigated with computational fluid dynamics by adopting two eddy-viscosity turbulence models. The computational results are compared with the experimental data of Shih and Ding (1996). It is shown that between the two turbulence models, the more advanced one, which adopts a non-linear constitutive expression for the Reynolds-stresses, is capable to capture the vortex breakdown location for a variety of jet exit angles. The performance assessment of the models is followed by the investigation of the effect of the jet-flap on the lift and drag coefficients.     

Study of vortex breakdown by particle tracking velocimetry (PTV)

Using a quasi three-dimensional instantaneous measurement technique, which combines particle tracking velocimetry (PTV) with volume scanning, first quantitative experimental results of the unsteady and asymmetric interior region of vortex breakdown were obtained. The study was carried out in a low speed flow through a cylindrical tube. A vortex was generated by a set of guidevanes and subjected to an adverse pressure gradient causing its breakdown. By scanning a pulsed illuminated planar laser light sheet, a set of meridional and azimuthal cuts of the flow was obtained. With PTV the recorded particle paths in the cuts were processed in order to obtain the instantaneous two-dimensional velocity field, mean streamlines and vorticity distribution. Moreover, the three-dimensional shape of the appearing breakdown, visualized with fluorescent dye, was reconstructed from the cuts. The results revealed that the shape of the bubble nearly equals the streamsurface of the stagnation point. According to the conditions in the water tunnel a single tilted vortex ring at the open rear part of the bubble dominates the interior flow structure of the bubble as first noted by Sarpkaya (1971). The vortical flow is bulged over the bubble, restored and intensified at the lower end. The gathered data lead to the conclusion that the vortex axis remains parallel to the centerline.     

Study of vortex breakdown by particle tracking velocimetry (PTV)

The spiral-type breakdown of a slender vortex was quantitatively investigated with PTV. Multiexposed pictures of the illuminated meridional midplane were processed to obtain the instantaneous 2-D velocity field and vorticity distribution. The periodic change of flow patterns with respect to time is clearly shown in a time-series of pictures. The 2-D velocity fields contained a stagnation point in the midplane located outside of the centerline. Additionally it was observed, that this point rotates around the centerline in the same way as the outer flow. A comparison with measurements of a bubble-type breakdown indicates a strong similarity to the spiral-type breakdown. The results reveal that the slope, winding and diameter of the spiral vortex-core determine the different observable forms. The first part of the deflected vortex-core near the breakdown point causes an asymmetric backflow due to induction, the strength of which depends on the slope of the deflected vortexcore. This is responsible for the radial distance between stagnation point and centerline. In case of the observed bubble-type breakdown the spiral is compressed which results in a stable stagnation point at the centerline.     

Experiments on the unsteady nature of vortex breakdown over delta wings

 Vortex breakdown location over delta wings is not steady and exhibits fluctuations along the axis of the vortices. Experiments on the nature and source of these fluctuations were carried out. Spectral analysis and other statistical concepts were used to quantify the unsteady behaviour of vortex breakdown location obtained from flow visualization. The fluctuations consist of quasi-periodic oscillations and high-frequency low amplitude displacements. The quasi-periodic oscillations are due to an interaction between the vortices, which cause the antisymmetric motion of breakdown locations for left and right vortices. The oscillations are larger and more coherent as the time-averaged breakdown locations get closer to each other as angle of attack or sweep angle is varied. The frequency of this organized motion is much smaller than the frequency of any other known instabilities. On the other hand, the most probable frequency for the high-frequency small-amplitude fluctuations of breakdown location is in the same range as the frequency of Kelvin–Helmholtz instability of the separated shear layer. A mechanism for the interaction between the vortices causing the oscillations of breakdown location was proposed. When a splitter plate was placed in the symmetry plane of the wing, the large amplitude quasi-periodic oscillations of breakdown location were suppressed. Received: 10 March 1998 / Accepted: 27 October 1998     

Three-dimensional numerical simulation of a vortex ring impacting a bump

A vortex ring impinging on a three-dimensional bump is studied using large eddy simulation for a Reynolds number Re = 4 × 10⁴ based on the initial translation speed and diameter of the vortex ring. The effects of bump height on the vortical flow phenomena and the underlying physical mechanisms are investigated. Based on the analysis of the evolution of vortical structures, two typical kinds of vortical structures, i.e., the wrapping vortices and the hair-pin vortices, are identified and play an important role in the flow state evolution. The circulation of the primary vortex ring reasonably elucidates some typical phases of flow evolution. Furthermore, the mechanism of flow transition from laminar to turbulent state has been revealed based on analysis of turbulent kinetic energy.     

An experimental study on vortex breakdown in a differentially-rotating cylindrical container

The vortex breakdown phenomenon in a closed cylindrical container with a rotating endwall disk was reproduced. Visualizations were performed to capture the prominent flow characteristics. The locations of the stagnation points of breakdown bubbles and the attendant global flow features were in excellent agreement with the preceding observations. Experiments were also carried out in a differentially-rotating cylindrical container in which the top endwall rotates at a relatively high angular velocity _t, and the bottom endwall and the sidewall rotate at a low angular velocity _sb. For a fixed cylinder aspect ratio, and for a given relative rotational Reynolds number based on the angular velocity difference _t–_sb, the flow behavior is examined as |_sb/_t| increases. For a co-rotation (_sb/_t>0), the breakdown bubble is located closer to the bottom endwall disk. However, for a counter-rotation (_sb/_t<0), the bubble is seen closer to the top endwall disk. For sufficiently large values of _sb, the bubble ceases to exist for both cases.     

Control of vortex breakdown in a closed cylinder with a rotating lid

The flow within a closed cylinder with a rotating lid is considered as a prototype for fundamental studies of vortex breakdown. Numerical simulations for various parameter values have been carried out to reproduce the known effect of a thin rotating rod positioned along the center axis as well as analyze the influence of local vorticity sources. As expected, the results show that the breakdown bubbles in the steady axisymmetric flow can be affected dramatically, i.e., fully suppressed or significantly enhanced, by rotating the rod. The main contribution of this article is to show that the observed behavior can be explained by the vorticity generated by the rod locally near the rotating lid and near the fixed lid, as analogous behavior is caused by the introduction of local vorticity sources in the flow without a rod. Moreover, we describe the influence on the breakdown bubbles of the vorticity sources by an analytical model. In addition to improving our understanding, this finding should also open the door to other types of flow control devices capable of generating localized vorticity.     

Three-dimensional schlieren measurements using inverse tomography

The “synthetic schlieren” method has been used to measure the amplitude of internal waves that are two-dimensional and axisymmetric. Here it is adapted to reconstruct fully three-dimensional perturbations. This non-intrusive technique, which uses inverse tomography methods, shows accurate results when a sufficient number of perspectives taken from the same experiment are provided to the inversion code. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the wavefield reconstruction from three idealized disturbances in the form of a Gaussian function, a Gaussian multiplied in amplitude by a sine function and a sinusoidal plane wave with an elliptical envelope. The consequences of noisy data input are also investigated.     

Control of vortex breakdown in a closed cylinder with a small rotating rod

Effective control of vortex breakdown in a cylinder with a rotating lid was achieved with small rotating rods positioned on the stationary lid. After validation with accurate measurements using a novel stereoscopic particle image velocimetry (SPIV) technique, analysis of numerical simulations using a high-order spectral element method has been undertaken. The effect of a finite length rod creates additional source terms of vorticity as the rod rotates. These additional source terms and their spatial locations influence the occurrence of the vortex breakdown.