Vortex mechanism of heat transfer enhancement in a channel with spherical and oval dimples

Vortex mechanism of heat transfer enhancement in a narrow channel with dimples has been investigated numerically using LES and URANS methods. The flow separation results in a formation of vortex structures which significantly enhance heat transfer on dimpled surfaces leading to a small increase in pressure loss. The heat transfer can be significantly increased by rounding the dimple edge and use of oval dimples. To get a deep insight into flow physics LES is performed for single phase flow in a channel with a spherical dimple. The instantaneous vortex formation and separation are investigated in and around the dimple area. Considered are Reynolds numbers (based on dimple print diameter) Re_D = 20,000 and Re_D = 40,000 the depth to print diameter ratio of Δ = 0.26. Frequency analysis of LES data revealed the presence of dominating frequencies in unsteady flow oscillations. Direct analysis of the flow field revealed the presence of coherent vortex structure inclined to the mean flow. The structure changes its orientation in time causing the long period oscillations with opposite-of-phase motion. Three dimensional proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) analysis is carried out on LES pressure and velocity fields to identify spatio-temporal structures hidden in the random fluctuations. Tornado-like spatial POD structures have been determined inside dimples.     

An experimental study of a high-rise building model in tornado-like winds

An experimental study was conducted to quantify the characteristics of wake vortex and flow structures around a high-rise building model as well as the resultant wind loads (both forces and moments) acting on the test model in tornado-like winds. In addition to measuring wind loads acting on the tested high-rise building model using a high-sensitivity load cell, a digital Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) system was used to conduct detailed flow field measurements to quantify the evolution of the unsteady vortex and turbulent flow structures around the test model in tornado-like winds. The measurement results revealed clearly that the evolution of the wake vortex and turbulent flow structures around the test model as well as the resultant wind loads induced by tornado-like winds were significantly different from those in conventional straight-line winds. The detailed flow field measurements were correlated with the wind load measurement data to elucidate the underlying physics to gain further insight into the flow-structure interactions between the tested high-rise building model and tornado-like vortex. The new findings derived from the present study could be used to provide more accurate prediction of wind damage potential to built environment with the ultimate goal of reducing life loss, injury casualty, and economic loss that results from tornados.     

Direct numerical simulation of the laminar-turbulent transition in a thick spherical layer

The results of a numerical study of the laminar-turbulent transition in unsteady isothermal three-dimensional flows of viscous incompressible fluid in a thick spherical layer between counter-rotating spherical boundaries are presented. The calculations are performed for the governing parameters corresponding to the experimental data [1, 2]. The numerical investigations include both solving the complete system of Navier-Stokes equations and analyzing the linear stability of steady-state axisymmetric flows with respect to three-dimensional disturbances. A stochastic flow regime is calculated for the first time. The limits of existence of different flow regimes and the hysteresis regions are found. The spatial flow patterns and frequency characteristics are obtained, which makes it possible to extend and refine the existing experimental data.     

Computation of three‐dimensional flow around square and circular piers

The aim of the present study is to investigate, by numerical simulation, the three‐dimensional turbulent flow field around square and circular piers. The numerical model employs a finite volume method based on MacCormack's explicit predictor–corrector scheme to solve weakly compressible hydrodynamic equations for turbulent flow. Computed results are compared with Dargahi's experimental measurements to assess the validity of the proposed model. Very good agreements are obtained. The results of flow simulation indicate that near the upstream face of the pier there exists a downflow, which joins the separated flow to form the horseshoe vortex stretched around the pier. This horseshoe vortex interacts with the wake vortex to create the upflow behind the pier. These phenomena appear to be very important to the mechanism of scouring around the pier. In general, the flow patterns for the square and circular piers are similar. However, the strengths of the downflow and horseshoe vortex are greater in the case of the square pier. The position of the horseshoe vortex around the circular pier is closer to the front face than that around the square pier. In the meantime, the domain of the wake flow in the case of the square pier is greater than that in the case of the circular one. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Numerical Study of the Flow Behind a Rotary Oscillating Circular Cylinder

A numerical study is performed of flow behind a rotationally oscillating circular cylinder in a uniform flow by solving the two-dimensional incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. The flow behavior in lock-on regime and the timing of vortex formation from the oscillating cylinder are studied. When the frequency of excitation of the cylinder is in the vicinity of the natural vortex formation frequency, a lock-on vortex formation regime appears. As the excitation frequency being increased relative to the natural frequency the initially formed vorticity concentration switches to the opposite side of the cylinder. The effects of oscillating frequency and amplitude on the vortex structures formed in the near wake of the cylinder are also investigated. Based on the present calculated results, some complicated vortex patterns are identified and are consistent with the previous experimental visualizations.     

Numerical simulation and control of horseshoe vortex around an appendage-body junction

The horseshoe vortex generated around the appendage-body junction of submarines strongly influences the non-uniformity of submarine wakes at the propeller discs. The flow characteristics around the appended submarine body are numerically simulated and analyzed, and a new method on the vortex control baffle is presented. Then, the influence of the vortex control baffle on the horseshoe vortex generated at the sail-body junction is numerically studied, and the flow phenomena caused by the vortex control baffle with different transverse positions is investigated further. Results show that the vortex control baffle can induce a kind of attached vortex in a rotational direction opposite to the horseshoe vortex; these two kinds of vortices undermine each other. Furthermore, when the transverse position of the vortex control baffle is close to the horseshoe vortex, the state of the horseshoe vortex is directly affected, and the flow structure becomes even more complex. We adapt the vortex control baffle for the horseshoe vortex generated at the stern foil-body junction. Results from the numerical simulation of the flow around the fully appended submarine model indicate that the effect of the vortex control baffle greatly improves the performance of the submarine wake. The circumferential non-uniformity of the axial, tangential, and radial velocity components are decreased markedly. The engineering applicability of the vortex control baffle has been well presented.     

凹坑表面形貌在面接触润滑状态下的减阻研究

设计了一套试验装置,并在面接触润滑状态下,进行凹坑表面形貌的润滑试验.结果表明,在一定的试验条件下,由于摩擦副接触面上凹坑形貌的存在,可观察到有气泡稳定存在于油膜中.气泡的存在取决于凹坑的深度和润滑油量,凹坑深度越深,润滑油量越少,稳定存在的气泡比例越高.分析可知,由于接触面中气油界面的弯月面力作用,气泡被封存于凹坑中,从而能稳定存在,因此,在乏油润滑时,在润滑油和气泡的共同承载作用下,较其他试样,摩擦力明显减小.在面接触润滑时,从乏油润滑到全膜润滑的过程中,存在着一个最优凹坑深度,在此深度时,摩擦阻力最小.通过计算分析可知,凹坑的最优深度和摩擦副间距大小相当,且理论分析结果和试验结果吻合.     

Influence of channel walls on the formation of vortices behind a wedge

A study is made of the influence of channel walls on the occurrence of periodic vortex formation in the wake of a wedge in a turbulent flow of incompressible fluid. The results of numerical simulation of the flow are confirmed by experimental data. The influence of the blocking of the flow by the body on the existence of the regime of vortex formation is explained by means of a linear analysis of the stability of the non-parallel flow in the near wake.     

圆柱形表面微坑阵列对点接触润滑摩擦性能的影响

采用激光工艺加工圆柱形表面微孔阵列,并采用三维表面形貌仪表征形状特征和形貌,在摩擦磨损试验机(UMT-Ⅲ)上进行球盘点接触摩擦学试验,研究微坑阵列对点接触润滑摩擦性能的影响.采用Stribeck曲线表征润滑状态的转变,并辅以接触电阻定性表征摩擦副所处的润滑状态.结果表明:微坑深度对点接触润滑摩擦性能有显著影响,随微坑深度从30μm减至0,摩擦系数呈先降低后升高的变化趋势,在本文试验条件下微坑深度为10μm左右时,摩擦系数较光滑表面低,并达到最小.同时,微坑的大小和面积比对摩擦系数也有明显的影响,并同样呈现先减小后增大的趋势.因而存在优化的微坑以达到减小摩擦改进润滑的目的.     

Near-ground tornado-like vortex structure resolved by particle image velocimetry (PIV)

The near-ground flow structure of tornadoes is of utmost interest because it determines how and to what extent civil structures could get damaged in tornado events. We simulated tornado-like vortex flow at the swirl ratios of S = 0.03–0.3 (vane angle θ_v = 15°–60°), using a laboratory tornado simulator and investigated the near-ground-vortex structure by particle imaging velocimetry. Complicated near-ground flow was measured in two orthogonal views: horizontal planes at various elevations (z = 11, 26 and 53 mm above the ground) and the meridian plane. We observed two distinct vortex structures: a single-celled vortex at the lowest swirl ratio (S = 0.03, θ_v = 15°) and multiple suction vortices rotating around the primary vortex (two-celled vortex) at higher swirl ratios (S = 0.1–0.3, θ_v = 30°–60°). We quantified the effects of vortex wandering on the mean flow and found that vortex wandering was important and should be taken into account in the low swirl ratio case. The tangential velocity, as the dominant velocity component, has the peak value about three times that of the maximum radial velocity regardless of the swirl ratio. The maximum velocity variance is about twice at the high swirl ratio (θ_v = 45°) that at the low swirl ratio (θ_v = 15°), which is contributed significantly by the multiple small-scale secondary vortices. Here, the results show that not only the intensified mean flow but greatly enhanced turbulence occurs near the surface in the tornado-like vortex flow. The intensified mean flow and enhanced turbulence at the ground level, correlated with the ground-vortex interaction, may cause dramatic damage of the civil structures in tornadoes. This work provides detailed characterization of the tornado-like vortex structure, which has not been fully revealed in previous field studies and laboratory simulations. It would be helpful in improving the understanding of the interaction between the tornado-like vortex structure and the ground surface, ultimately leading to better predictions of tornado-induced wind loads on civil structures.     

Measurements of the flow over a low-aspect-ratio cylinder mounted on a ground plane

The flow over a finite-height cylinder of aspect ratio 1, with one end mounted on a ground plane and the other end free, has been studied by means of surface flow visualisation, particle image velocimetry (PIV) and surface pressure measurements. The diameter-based Reynolds number was 200,000. The mean flow topology has been identified in three areas: the horseshoe vortex system, the separated flow over the free-end and the wake region. Evidence is shown for the existence of a three-horseshoe vortex system, while the mean flow over the free-end consists of an arch vortex with its bases on the forward half of the free-end. There are two tip vortices coming off the free-end. The wake region is found to be highly unsteady, with considerable variation from the mean flow.     

The effect of member spacing upon the base pressure distributions recorded on perpendicular flat plates

Conclusions The experimental results presented in this note have provided a comparison between the flow induced pressure distributions associated with non-connecting perpendicular flat plates and similar configurations composed of circular cylinders and square section bars.With regard to the upstream plate, the pressure distributions were found to closely resemble those associated with perpendicular cylinders and, therefore, it is suggested that similar spacing related flow regimes exist. In this respect, at separation distances below three section depths trailing vortices are generated in proximity to the centre of the geometry, whereas at spacings in excess of three section depths the conditions become quasi two-dimensional along the whole span.In the case of the downstream plate, the results at spacings of four section depths and below are similar to those on the downstream perpendicular bar, which is subjected to a horseshoe vortex flow regime over a comparable range of spacings. However, at spacings greater than four section depths the conditions appear to be unique to this section geometry.     

Turbulent flow around a wall-mounted cube: A direct numerical simulation

An immersed-boundary method was employed to perform a direct numerical simulation (DNS) of flow around a wall-mounted cube in a fully developed turbulent channel for a Reynolds number Re = 5610, based on the bulk velocity and the channel height. Instantaneous results of the DNS of a plain channel flow were used as a fully developed inflow condition for the main channel. The results confirm the unsteadiness of the considered flow caused by the unstable interaction of a horseshoe vortex formed in front of the cube and on both its sides with an arch-type vortex behind the cube. The time-averaged data of the turbulence mean-square intensities, Reynolds shear stresses, kinetic energy and dissipation rate are presented. The negative turbulence production is predicted in the region in front of the cube where the main horseshoe vortex originates.     

Branching of a horseshoe vortex around surface-mounted rectangular cylinders

Flow visualizations and surface pressure measurements are performed to study the branching phenomenon of a horseshoe vortex upstream of a series of rectangular cylinders with aspect ratios ranging from 0 to 17. The Reynolds numbers are 500 for visualization experiments and 1990 to 6650 for wind tunnel surface pressure measurements. The flow visualization results indicate that a horseshoe vortex will first evolve into a wavy structure and for aspect ratios which are equal or larger than 10, the wavy horseshoe vortex will branch itself into smaller regular vortices. The waviness disappears as soon as branching occurs. The number of the branched smaller vortices increases as the aspect ratio increases further. Received: 31 March 1998/Accepted: 29 June 1999     

Dynamic Mode Decomposition of a Wing-Body Junction Flow

Junction flows are subject to an intense adverse pressure gradient and three-dimensional separation when encountering a wall-mounted obstacle. A dynamically rich horseshoe vortex system is formed in this region. In this study the junction flow at the interaction of a wing and a flat plate is investigated. The numerical modelling is carried out using the three-dimensional large eddy simulation (LES) approach at the Reynolds number Re = 1.15×10⁵ based on the wing’s maximum thickness T and the free stream velocity U_ref. The comparison with the experimental results shows that the numerical simulations fairly accurately reproduce the phenomenon under study. The dynamic mode decomposition (DMD) of the resolved flow field is employed to obtain the coherent dynamics of the flow. To clearly demonstrate the oscillation characteristics and the horseshoe vortex structures of junction flow the velocity field in the plane of symmetry is decomposed with eduction of two dominant DMDmodes. These two DMDmodes are reconstituted and developed, together with the mean flow mode to explain the latent dynamics. Mode 1 reveals the merging of the horseshoe vortices and mode 2 is responsible for the process of fission and stretching.     

应用小干扰柱体控制角区马蹄涡结构的实验研究

本文提出一种简单的抑制和控制角区马蹄涡的被动控制方法.即在角区平板上游放置一个远小于主柱体的小干扰柱体,用其产生的弱马蹄涡来抑制和控制角区的马蹄涡结构.目的是使角区原来的马蹄涡结构由强变为弱、由大变为小、由多变为少、由非定常变为定常,以获得减小冲刷、抑制湍流、降低噪声、避免振动的工程效果.作者在风洞中采用烟线法和激光片光流动显示的方法开展研究,实验表明,在平板上游适当位置放置小干扰柱体的确可以有效抑制和控制角区马蹄涡结构.实验发现,当小干扰柱体放置在原角区马蹄涡生成区时,其抑制和控制效果最佳;当小干扰柱体放置在上游区或下游区时,控制效果不好.本文讨论了小干扰柱体控制角区马蹄涡的机理.此外,实验还研究了小干扰柱体相对尺度和截面形状对角区马蹄涡结构抑制和控制的影响.     

Tubular limiting stream surface: “tornado” in three-dimensional vortical flow

A new physical structure of vortical flow, i.e., tubular limiting stream surface (TLSS), is reported. It is defined as a general mathematical structure for the physical flow field in the neighborhood of a singularity, and has a close relationship with limit cycles. The TLSS is a tornado-like structure, which separates a vortex into two regions, i.e., the inner region near the vortex axis and the outer region further away from the vortex axis. The flow particles in these two regions can approach to (or leave) the TLSS, but never could reach it.     

Experiments on elongational flow of dilute polymer solutions: Part II: velocity field for the flow through small apertures

Following Part I which reported on the jet reaction and the excess pressure drop, this paper describes the results of flow velocities measured upstream of small apertures for dilute polymer solutions. The results suggest the existence of the two flow regimes reorted by Boger and Cable: the vortex growth regime and the divergent flow regime. The former corresponds to the regime of zero jet reaction and the latter to the regime of positive jet reaction. The axial velocity development for PEO solutions along the center line upstream of the aperture is found to yield an extremely high velocity rise at the onset of the vortex region and to give a nearly constant elongational rate within the vortex region. The constant elongational rate takes values such that the product with the relaxation time is about 0.5. Separan solutions do not provide so high a velocity rise at the onset of the vortex region but show an exponential rate of elongation in the vortex region.It is shown, by using the upper convected Maxwell model, that the steep velocity rise at the onset of the vortex region is given in the simplified flow model and the constant elongational rate within the vortex region holds the elongational stress nearly constant.     

Associated disturbances around a vortex ring in a stratified fluid

A motion of a vortex ring in a stratified fluid is accompanied by associated disturbances which, in the schlieren visualization in the field of a horizontal density gradient, have the shape of a symmetric four-petal configuration. The criterion of the existence of the disturbances is the Froude number Fr based on the motion velocity and the vertical vortex size. On the range Fr > 1, the disturbances are stable with respect to the variation of themotion regime and the distortion of the vortex shape. For Fr < 1 the disturbances disappear. Computer processing of the schlieren photographs showed that the experimental spatial dependences of the disturbance amplitude are close to the functions describing the distribution of the vertical velocity component in the inviscid flow past a sphere.     

Investigation on Secondary Flow Characteristics in a Curved Annular Duct with Struts

Under the influence of duct curvature, cross-sectional area variation and internal struts, the internal flow field within a curved annular duct becomes rather complicated and contains strong secondary flow. In this paper, the secondary flow characteristics in an annular duct with struts are experimentally and numerically investigated. The results show that large pressure gradients exist on the bends of hub and shroud. Meanwhile, two counter-rotating vortex pairs appear both along the hub-side and shroud-side surfaces. The hub-side vortex pair of which the vortex cores travel downstream parallelly evolves from the horseshoe vortex which is induced by the leading edge of the upstream strut, whereas the shroud-side vortex pair originates from the strut trailing edge and the corresponding vortex cores develop in a divergent way. Additionally, the effects of the duct exit Mach number on the secondary flow characteristics are also studied. As the exit Mach number increases, the streamwise pressure gradients increase and lead to more intense vortices, higher total pressure loss and larger flow distortion.