Velocity–pressure correlation measurements in complex free shear flows

Simultaneous measurements of fluctuating velocity and pressure were performed in various turbulent free shear flows including a turbulent mixing layer and the wing-tip vortex trailing from a NACA0012 half-wing. Two different methods for fluctuating static pressure measurement were considered: a direct method using a miniature Pitot tube and an indirect method where static pressure was calculated from total pressure. The pressure obtained by either of these methods was correlated with the velocity measured by an X-type hot-wire probe. The results from these two techniques agreed with each other in the turbulent mixing layer. In the wing-tip vortex case, however, some discrepancies were found, although overall characteristics of the pressure-related statistics were adequately captured by both methods.     

Frequency response correction of hot-film measurements in a turbulent airflow

Turbulence measurements were performed in a fully developed turbulent pipe flow using a wedged-shaped hot-film probe. The dynamic sensitivity of hot-film probes is frequency dependent and cannot be obtained from static calibration. As it is complicated to make a dynamic calibration, a correction method for the turbulent energy spectrum is used instead. The measurements were compared with hot-wire turbulence measurements and show good agreement. Received: 28 May 1999/Accepted: 24 August 1999     

Instantaneous velocity and pressure measurements in turbulent mixing layers

This paper presents a comprehensive comparison of the mean velocity and turbulence measurements from a four-hole pressure probe, also known as the Cobra probe, and an X-probe in plane mixing layers. The objective is to validate the measurement accuracy of the Cobra probe in a flow where the turbulence reaches high levels, but whose properties are well known. The comparison is made for the mean velocities, Reynolds stresses, triple products, and spectra, and demonstrates that the Cobra probe has reasonable accuracy for some of these quantities, such as the mean streamwise velocity and primary shear stress, but not for others, such as the mean normal velocity. The correlation of the pressure and the streamwise velocity, measured by the Cobra probe, behaves correctly in the potential flow. However, the correlation of the pressure and the cross-stream velocity, which appears in the transport equation for the turbulent kinetic energy, and the pressure redistribution term in the corresponding equation for the streamwise normal stress, are poorly measured.     

Reynolds stress, mean velocity, and dynamic static pressure measurement by a four-hole pressure probe

An improved version of the four-hole directional pressure probe, or Cobra probe, is described, in which the frequency response has been extended to 1.5 kHz. The probe measures all three orthogonal mean and turbulent velocity components at a point in the flow field. The probe also resolves the local mean and turbulent components of static pressure, allowing moments between the fluctuating velocity components and pressure to be determined. The techniques developed to allow the improved frequency response and the use of the probe in turbulent, developed pipe flow (a calibration flow) are described. Also given are the turbulent pressure-velocity correlations, which show a high degree of anticorrelation for one velocity component.     

Simultaneous measurements of reactive scalar and velocity in a planar liquid jet with a second-order chemical reaction

This paper presents a new experimental approach for simultaneous measurements of velocity and concentration in a turbulent liquid flow with a chemical reaction. For the simultaneous measurements, we developed a combined probe consisting of an I-type hot-film probe and an optical fiber probe based on the light absorption spectrometric method. In a turbulent planar liquid jet with a second-order chemical reaction $(\mathrm{A}+\mathrm{B}\rightarrow \mathrm{R})$ , streamwise velocity and concentrations of all reactive species are measured by the combined probe. The turbulent mass fluxes of the reactive species are estimated from the simultaneous measurements. The results show that the influence of the chemical reaction on the turbulent mass flux of the reactant species near the jet exit is different from its influence in other regions, and the turbulent mass flux of the product species has a negative value near the jet exit and a positive value in other regions.     

Correction of wandering smoothing effects on static measurements of a wing-tip vortex

Wandering is a typical feature of wing-tip vortices and it consists in random fluctuations of the vortex core. Consequently, vortices measured by static measuring techniques appear to be more diffuse than in reality, so that a correction method is needed. In the present paper statistical simulations of the wandering of a Lamb-Oseen vortex are first performed by representing the vortex core locations through bi-variate normal probability density functions. It is found that wandering amplitudes smaller than 60% of the core radius are well predicted by using the ratio between the RMS value of the mean cross-velocity and its slope measured at the mean vortex center. Furthermore, the principal axes of wandering can be accurately evaluated from the opposite of the cross-correlation coefficient between the spanwise and the normal velocities measured at the mean vortex center. The correction of the wandering smoothing effects is then carried out through four different algorithms that perform the deconvolution of the mean velocity field with the probability density function that represents the wandering. The corrections performed are very accurate for the simulations with wandering amplitudes smaller than 60% of the core radius, whereas errors become larger with increasing wandering amplitudes. Subsequently, the whole procedure to evaluate wandering and to correct the mean velocity field is applied to static measurements, carried out with a fast-response five-hole pressure probe, of a tip vortex generated from a NACA 0012 half-wing model. It is found that the wandering is predominantly in the upward-outboard to downward-inboard direction. Furthermore, the wandering amplitude grows with increasing streamwise distance from the wing, whereas it decreases with increasing angle of attack and free-stream velocity.     

The response of a turbulent boundary layer to artificial disturbances

With periodic fluid injection through small slots, a turbulent boundary layer is artificially disturbed on scales that are of the order of those of the natural quasi-periodic events. The periodic phase-average of the streamwise fluid velocity is determined from hot-film measurements, and used to find the coherent velocity component as defined by the triple decomposition. It appears that, when a disturbance is active, the generated flow pattern is very similar to the one caused by the interaction of a crossflow and a jet. However, when it is terminated, the turbulent boundary layer returns to its undisturbed state.     

Obstacle-induced spiral vortex breakdown

An experimental investigation on vortex breakdown dynamics is performed. An adverse pressure gradient is created along the axis of a wing-tip vortex by introducing a sphere downstream of an elliptical hydrofoil. The instrumentation involves high-speed visualizations with air bubbles used as tracers and 2D Laser Doppler Velocimeter (LDV). Two key parameters are identified and varied to control the onset of vortex breakdown: the swirl number, defined as the maximum azimuthal velocity divided by the free-stream velocity, and the adverse pressure gradient. They were controlled through the incidence angle of the elliptical hydrofoil, the free-stream velocity and the sphere diameter. A single helical breakdown of the vortex was systematically observed over a wide range of experimental parameters. The helical breakdown coiled around the sphere in the direction opposite to the vortex but rotated along the vortex direction. We have observed that the location of vortex breakdown moved upstream as the swirl number or the sphere diameter was increased. LDV measurements were corrected using a reconstruction procedure taking into account the so-called vortex wandering and the size of the LDV measurement volume. This allows us to investigate the spatio-temporal linear stability properties of the flow and demonstrate that the flow transition from columnar to single helical shape is due to a transition from convective to absolute instability.     

Laser-pulse interferometry applied to high-pressure fluid flow in micro channels

The miniaturization of hydraulic systems together with ever increasing static and dynamic fluid pressure as is happening in fuel injection systems leads to complex flow effects with very high local and temporal pressure gradients. System optimization for hydraulic efficiency, components durability or spray formation quality needs the understanding of relevant flow properties. Fluid flow simulation models support such understanding, but with the complex nature of flow conditions, they are in need for precise and comprehensive verification and validation data. This work reports on measurement methods and analysis results for local fluid density and pressure measurements under overall stationary, highly turbulent and cavitating flow conditions in planar, optically accessed, model flow experiments. Laser-pulsed interferometry is applied for the measurement of fluid density fields under high spatial (∼3 μm) and temporal (∼5 ns) resolution. Interferometric imaging and image evaluation techniques provide ensemble mean pressure field data, local pressure fluctuation and differential pressure data. This yields information about local flow features such as flow vortex generation frequency, spatial size and shape of vortices and local pressure distribution inside of vortex structures. Features of bubble collapse process and corresponding pressure shock waves have been observed. The analysis method is applied to a forward-facing step and a target flow geometry. Experimental method, evaluation procedures and results are presented in this paper.     

Identification and analysis of the meandering of a fin-tip vortex using Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD)

The meandering of a vortex exists in a broad range of engineering applications and can lead to flow instability and other undesirable characteristics. Compared to a static vortex, measurement of a meandering vortex can result in a ‘smeared’ mean-flow field and increased levels of turbulence at the centre of the vortex. A case study was performed here on the meandering nature of a fin-tip vortex generated by a manoeuvring submarine. From stereoscopic particle image velocimetry (SPIV) measurements, it is possible to remove the meandering by shifting each instantaneous velocity field so as to produce a common centre for the vortex. In this paper, a snapshot Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) technique is used to capture the dominant large-scale coherent structures (from inspection of eigenvalue or energy distributions) and to improve vortex centre identification. The POD reconstructed velocity field using only the most energetic modes enabled the coherent structures of the flow to be clearly visualised, providing improved identification of the vortex centre and subsequent evaluation of the meandering effect on the turbulent statistics. The present findings suggest that the vortex meandering only has a small impact on the ensemble-averaged resultant velocity, while contributing up to a maximum of 28% for the fluctuating component. The meandering correction also leads to an overall decrease of turbulence intensity in the peak fluctuating region of the vortex core.     

Simultaneous measurement of velocity and pressure in a plane jet

A new technique was developed for the simultaneous measurement of velocity and pressure in turbulent flows. To accomplish this objective, a new probe (hereafter called the combined probe) that consists of an X-type hot-wire probe and a newly devised pressure probe was developed. The pressure probe was miniaturized by the MEMS fabrication process and by using a 0.1-in. microphone as a pressure sensor for improving the spatial resolution. This pressure probe was placed between two hot-wire sensors of which the X-type hot-wire probe was composed. The pressure probe was given a hemispherical tip, like that of a pitot tube, because an earlier pressure probe with a conical tip suffered from a reduction in spatial resolution. The spatial arrangement of the pressure probe and the hot-wire probe for the combined probe was carefully determined, because there was a risk that the measurement accuracy of one probe will be influenced by disturbances caused by the other probe when the two probes were placed very close to each other. Therefore, the combined probe was arranged to engender no noticeable interference between the velocity data and the pressure data measured by their respective probes. As one application of this combined probe, simultaneous measurements of pressure and two components of instantaneous velocity were performed in a plane jet. The turbulent energy budget and the cross-correlation coefficient of velocity and pressure in the intermittent region of the plane jet were estimated. The results show that the mean streamwise velocity, velocity fluctuation, and pressure fluctuation profiles were consistent with those measured individually using the X-type hot-wire probe or pressure probe. Moreover, it was shown that the integral value of the diffusion term (which should theoretically be equal to zero) in the turbulent energy transport equation was closer to zero than previous reports (Bradbury in J Fluid Mech 23(Part 1):31–64, 1965). In addition, the time variation of the cross-correlation coefficient in the intermittent region supports the vortex structure model predicted in previous studies (Browne et?al. in J Fluid Mech 149:355–373, 1984; Tanaka et?al. JSME Int J Ser B 49(4):899–905, 2006; Sakai et?al. J Fluid Sci Technol 2(3):611–622, 2007).     

Multisensor Hot Wire Vorticity Probe Measurements of the Formation Field of Two Corotating Vortices

Experimental evidence is reported, regarding the formation of a pair of co-rotating tip vortices by a split wing configuration, consisting of two half wings at equal and opposite angles of attack. Simultaneous measurements of the three-dimensional vector fields of velocity and vorticity were conducted on a cross plane at a downstream distance corresponding to 0.3 cord lengths (near wake), using an in-house constructed 12-sensor hot wire anemometry vorticity probe. The probe consists of three closely separated orthogonal 4-wire velocity sensor arrays, measuring simultaneously the three-dimensional velocity vector at three closely spaced locations on a cross plane of the flow filed. This configuration makes possible the estimation of spatial velocity derivatives by means of a forward difference scheme of first order accuracy. Velocity measurements obtained with an X-wire are also presented for comparison. In this near wake location, the flow field is dictated by the pressure distribution established by the flow around the wings, mobilizing large masses of air and leading to the roll up of fluid sheets. Fluid streams penetrating between the wings collide, creating on the cross plane flow a stagnation point and an “impermeable” line joining the two vortex centres. Along this line fluid is directed towards the two vortices, expanding their cores and increasing their separation distance. This feeding process generates a dipole of opposite sign streamwise mean vorticity within each vortex. The rotational flow within the vortices obligates an adverse streamwise pressure gradient leading to a significant streamwise velocity deficit characterizing the vortices. The turbulent flow field is the result of temporal changes in the intensity of the vortex formation and changes in the position of the cores (wandering).     

An experimental study into the effects of streamwise and spanwise acceleration in a turbulent boundary layer

We compare two turbulent boundary layers produced in a low-speed water channel experiment. Both are subjected to an identical streamwise pressure gradient generated via a lateral contraction of the channel, and an additional spanwise pressure gradient is imposed on one of the layers by curving the contraction walls. Despite a relatively high streamwise acceleration, hot-film probe measurements of the mean-velocity distributions show that the Reynolds number increases whilst the coefficient of friction decreases downstream. Visualization of the viscous layers using hydrogen bubbles reveal an increase in the non-dimensional streak spacing in response to the acceleration. Changes in statistical moments of the streamwise velocity near the wall suggest an increased dominance of high-velocity fluctuations. The near-wall streaks and velocity statistics have little sensitivity to the boundary layer three-dimensionality induced by the spanwise pressure gradient, with the boundary-layer crossflow velocity reaching 11 % that of the local freestream velocity.     

Sensitivity of an asymmetric 3D diffuser to vortex-generator induced inlet condition perturbations

Modifications of the turbulent separated flow in an asymmetric three-dimensional diffuser due to inlet condition perturbations were investigated using conventional static pressure measurements and velocity data acquired using magnetic resonance velocimetry (MRV). Previous experiments and simulations revealed a strong sensitivity of the diffuser performance to weak secondary flows in the inlet. The present, more detailed experiments were conducted to obtain a better understanding of this sensitivity. Pressure data were acquired in an airflow apparatus at an inlet Reynolds number of 10,000. The diffuser pressure recovery was strongly affected by a pair of longitudinal vortices injected along one wall of the inlet channel using either dielectric barrier discharge plasma actuators or conventional half-delta wing vortex generators. MRV measurements were obtained in a water flow apparatus at matched Reynolds number for two different cases with passive vortex generators. The first case had a pair of counter-rotating longitudinal vortices embedded in the boundary layer near the center of the expanding wall of the diffuser such that the flow on the outsides of the vortices was directed toward the wall. The MRV data showed that the three-dimensional separation bubble initially grew much slower causing a rapid early reduction in the core flow velocity and a consequent reduction of total pressure losses due to turbulent mixing. This produced a 13% increase in the overall pressure recovery. For the second case, the vortices rotated in the opposite sense, and the image vortices pushed them into the corners. This led to a very rapid initial growth of the separation bubble and formation of strong swirl at the diffuser exit. These changes resulted in a 17% reduction in the overall pressure recovery for this case. The results emphasize the extreme sensitivity of 3D separated flows to weak perturbations.     

Turbulent boundary layer separation control and loss evaluation of low profile vortex generators

The present paper analyses the results of a detailed experimental study on low profile vortex generators used to control the turbulent boundary layer separation on a large-scale flat plate with a prescribed adverse pressure gradient, typical of aggressive turbine intermediate ducts. This activity is part of a joint European research program on Aggressive Intermediate Duct Aerodynamics (AIDA). Laser Doppler Velocimetry and a Kiel total pressure probe have been employed to perform measurements in the test section symmetry plane and in cross-stream planes to investigate the turbulent boundary layer, with and without control device application.Velocity fields, Reynolds stresses, and total pressure distributions are analysed and compared for the controlled and non controlled flow conditions to characterize the mean flow behaviour. The detail and the accuracy of the measurements allow the evaluation of the deformation works of the mean motion in the test section symmetry plane. Normal and shear contributions of viscous and turbulent deformation works have been analysed and employed to explain the distribution of the total pressure loss. For the controlled flow the discussion of the flow field is extended considering the effects of the vortex generated in the cross-stream planes. The experimental data allow the evaluation of the global amount of losses, considering a balance of total pressure fluxes in the different measuring planes.     

七孔探针可压缩流场测量研究

介绍了七孔探针用于亚音速可压缩流的标定方法。作为一种可以同时获得流动速度大小、流动偏角、总压和静压的气动测量装置,七孔探针被广泛应用于各种流动测量,包括可压缩流动。但是它的校准过程周期很长,代价昂贵,影响了探针的推广。本文以数值计算为手段,对七孔探针进行亚音速可压缩流校准与测量的研究。结果表明,其校准拟合精度流动角为2%,内外区的总静压相对标准偏差都没有超过3%,高于相同状态下的实验校准精度。在实际应用中,本方法用于指导传统实验标定方法,可以节约大量的标定时间和成本,使七孔探针在亚音速可压缩流的测量变得简单可行。     

Flow field characterization of a jet and vortex actuator

 An actuator, which produces several different flow fields that may be used for active flow control, is characterized in still air using flow visualization and velocity measurements. The primary actuator-induced flow fields are: free jets, wall jets, and vortex flows. The non-dimensional parameters governing these actuator-induced flows are developed. For the vortex-flow regime, the operational range of the actuator increases as it’s size decreases without a significant decrease in either the actuator induced velocity or vortex core size. The velocity scaling is developed for the vortex flow and suggests that the optimum actuator efficiency occurs at a Stokes number of approximately 7.9 for the range of parameters surveyed. In a turbulent, zero pressure gradient boundary layer, measurements made just downstream of the actuator (when operated in the vortex mode) indicate a vortical disturbance is generated in the boundary layer. Received: 2 September 1998/Accepted: 9 January 1999     

A laser Doppler anemometry technique for Reynolds stresses measurement

A technique is described for the measurement of all components of mean velocity and Reynolds stresses, in a complex turbulent flow where achieving coincidence data acquisition is difficult. The method is based on data recorded using four orientations of the laser probe. It is shown that the measurement errors are not the same for all the components of the Reynolds tensor, but they are sufficiently small to give a good accuracy. An application to a turbomachinery flow is given to illustrate the method.     

Some Swirling-flow Challenges for Turbulent CFD

The paper examines some of the continuing challenges, within a RANS framework, of computing turbulent swirling flows such as are encountered in industry and the environment. The principal focus is on modelling turbulent transport processes but serious problems also arise in handling numerical issues, too. Recent researches of two of these types of flow by the authors and their colleagues in the Turbulence Mechanics Group at Manchester are examined; namely, the confined flow within a rotor–stator disc cavity and the trailing wing-tip vortex. The former flow, while geometrically axisymmetric, has been found to create multiple rotating vortices necessitating a three-dimensional time-dependent analysis. The wing-tip vortex is extremely sensitive to the choice of turbulence model and only a second-moment closure that complies with the constraints of two-component turbulence has been found capable of handling both the flow over the wing and the wake vortex. Moreover, because of the large distances downstream of the aircraft to which, for practical cases, computations need to be carried, the numerical strategy is brought into question. Finally, arising from these two test cases, outline remarks are made about a swirling flow that poses one of the major computational challenges of the twenty-first century.