A planar Mie scattering technique for visualizing supersonic mixing flows

A planar Mie scattering technique is described which allows for the direct visualization of fluid mixing in supersonic flows. The mixed fluid is visualized by laser light sheet scattering from small alcohol droplets which condense as a result of the mixing of a vapor laden subsonic stream with a cold supersonic stream. Issues related to the formation, growth and size of the droplets are addressed. The technique reveals details of the turbulent structure which are masked by the spatial integration of schlieren and shadowgraph methods. Comparative visualizations using the vapor screen method to uniformly mark the high-speed fluid are also shown.     

Simultaneous imaging of temperature and mole fraction using acetone planar laser-induced fluorescence

Imaging of concentration with acetone PLIF has become popular in mixing investigations. More recently, studies of the temperature dependences of acetone fluorescence have enabled quantitative imaging of temperature using single- or dual-wavelength excitation strategies. We present here the first demonstration of simultaneous imaging of temperature and mole fraction with acetone PLIF. Laser excitation is at 248 and 308 nm; the resulting fluorescence images are captured by an interline transfer CCD camera capable of acquiring two frames with a separation in time of as little as 500 ns. In addition to adding temperature imaging capability, this dual-wavelength approach enables mole fraction to be accurately measured in non-isothermal flows. Tests in a heated turbulent jet demonstrate the ability to record instantaneous mole fraction and temperature structure. The expected correspondence of the temperature and concentration fields is observed, and mean values of these quantities derived from image averaging show the expected radial and centerline profiles as the jet becomes fully developed. Received: 13 January 1999/Accepted 10 February 2000     

Shock tunnel flow visualization using planar laser-induced fluorescence imaging of NO and OH

Temporal sequences of planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) images of several high-speed, transient flowfields created in a reflection-type shock tunnel facility were acquired. In each case, the test gas contained either nitric oxide or the hydroxyl radical, the fluorescent species. The processes of shock reflection from an endwall with a converging nozzle and of underexpanded free jet formation were examined. A comparison was also made between PLIF imaging and shadow photography. The investigation demonstrated some of the capabilities of PLIF imaging diagnostics in complex, transient, hypersonic flowfields, including those with combustion.Nomenclature A spontaneous emission rate - A _las cross sectional area of laser sheet - B laser absorption rate - C _opt constant dependent on optical arrangement, collection efficiency, etc. - D nozzle throat diameter - E _p laser pulse energy - f _J Boltzmann fraction of absorbing state - g spectral convolution of laser and absorption lineshapes - k Boltzmann constant - M _s incident shock Mach number - N noise, root-mean-square signal fluctuation - P static pressure - P ₁ initial pressure of test gas in shock tube - P _a free jet ambient pressure - P _s stagnation pressure - Q electronic quenching rate of excited state - S PLIF signal - t time between shock reflection and image acquisition - T static temperature - T _s stagnation temperature - _a mole fraction of absorbing species     

Quantitative imaging of concentration by planar laser-induced fluorescence

The planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) technique is attractive for instantaneous and non-intrusive imaging of species concentration in gaseous flows. This paper provides a framework for determining the experimental resolution in PLIF experiments and gives error estimates for concentration measurements in turbulent jet mixing experiments using biacetyl as the molecular tracer. The procedures to correct for experimental artifacts in the PLIF images are outlined. Images of the instantaneous, average, rms, and dissipation of concentration in a turbulent jet are presented.     

Planar laser-induced fluorescence imaging in shock tube flows

The planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) imaging method was used to perform flow visualization and quantitative planar thermometry in shock tube flow fields using toluene as a fluorescence tracer in nitrogen. Fluorescence quantum yield values needed to quantify PLIF images were measured in a static cell at low pressures (<1 bar) for various toluene partial pressures in nitrogen bath gas. Images behind incident and reflected shocks were taken in the core flow away from regions affected by boundary layers. Temperature measurements from these images were successfully compared with predicted values using ideal shock equations. Measured temperatures ranged between 296 and 800 K and pressures between 0.15 and 1.5 atm. The average temperature discrepancies between measurements and the predicted values behind the incident and reflected shocks were 1.6 and 3.6%, respectively. Statistical analyses were also conducted to calculate the temperature measurement uncertainty as a function of image resolution. The technique was also applied to the study of more complex supersonic flows, specifically the interaction of a moving shock with a wedge. Measured temperatures agreed well with the results of numerical simulations in all inviscid regions, and all pertinent features of the single Mach reflection were resolved.     

Acetone: a tracer for concentration measurements in gaseous flows by planar laser-induced fluorescence

The structure of fully-developed turbulence in a smooth pipe has been studied via wavenumber spectra for various friction velocities, namely, u ,=0.61 and 1.2 m/s (the corresponding Reynolds numbers based on centerline velocity and pipe radius being respectively 134,000 and 268,000) at various distances from the wall, namely y ⁺ = 70, 200,400 and 1,000. For each distance from the wall, correlations of the longitudinal component of turbulence were obtained simultaneously in seven narrow frequency bands by using an automated data acquisition system which jointly varied the longitudinal (x) and transverse (z) separations of two hot-wire probes. The centre frequencies of the bandpass filters used correspond to a range of nondimensional frequencies ⁺ from 0.005 to 0.21. By taking Fourier transforms of these correlations, three-dimensional power spectral density functions and hence wavenumber spectra have been obtained at each y ⁺ with nondimensional frequency ⁺ and nondimensional longitudinal and transverse wavenumbers k _x ⁺ and k _z ⁺ as the independent variables. The data presented in this form show the distribution of turbulence intensity among waves of different size and inclination. The data reported here cover a wave size range of over 100, spanning a range of wave angles from 2° to 84°. The effects of friction velocity and Reynolds number on the distribution of waves, their lifetimes and convection velocities are also discussed.List of symbols A wave strength function - C _x streamwise phase velocity - C _z circumferential phase velocity - f wave intensity function - k resultant wave number = [k _x ² + k _z ² ]^1/2 - k _x , k _z longitudinal (x) and transverse (z) wavenumber respectively - P(k _x ⁺ , k _z ⁺ , ⁺) power spectral density function in u - R radius of pipe - Re Reynolds number (based on centerline velocity and pipe radius) - R _uu (x ⁺, z⁺, ) normalized correlation function in u - R _unu (x ⁺, z⁺,¦⁺¦) normalized filtered correlation function in u, as defined in equation (1) - t time - U mean velocity in the x-direction - u, v, w turbulent velocities in the cartesian x, y and z directions respectively - û, v, turbulent velocities in the wave coordinate x, and directions respectively - u friction velocity - x, y, z cartesian coordinates in the longitudinal (along the pipe axis), normal (to the pipe wall) and transverse (along the circumference of the pipe) directions respectively, as defined in Fig. 1 - wave angle - difference between two quantities - v kinematic viscosity - time delay - circular frequency (radians/s) - + quantity nondimensionalized using u and v - overbar time average A version of this paper was presented at the 12th Symposium on Turbulence, University of Missouri-Rolla, 24–26 September, 1990     

Near-wall imaging using toluene-based planar laser-induced fluorescence in shock tube flow

A quantitative thermometry technique, based on planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF), was applied to image temperature fields immediately next to walls in shock tube flows. Two types of near-wall flows were considered: the side wall thermal boundary layer behind an incident shock wave, and the end wall thermal layer behind a reflected shock wave. These thin layers are imaged with high spatial resolution (15μm/pixel) in conjunction with fused silica walls and near-UV bandpass filters to accurately measure fluorescence signal levels with minimal interferences from scatter and reflection at the wall surface. Nitrogen, hydrogen or argon gas were premixed with 1–12% toluene, the LIF tracer, and tested under various shock flow conditions. The measured pressures and temperatures ranged between 0.01 and 0.8 bar and 293 and 600 K, respectively. Temperature field measurements were found to be in good agreement with theoretical values calculated using 2-D laminar boundary layer and 1-D heat diffusion equations, respectively. In addition, PLIF images were taken at various time delays behind incident and reflected shock waves to observe the development of the side wall and end wall layers, respectively. The demonstrated diagnostic strategy can be used to accurately measure temperature to about 60 μm from the wall.     

Quantitative temperature imaging in gas-phase turbulent thermal convection by laser-induced fluorescence of acetone

In this paper, an acetone planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) technique for nonintrusive temperature imaging is demonstrated in gas-phase (Pr = 0.72) turbulent Rayleigh-Bénard convection at Rayleigh number Ra = 1.3᎒⁵. The PLIF technique provides quantitative spatially correlated temperature data without the flow intrusion or time lag associated with physical probes, and without the significant path averaging that plagues most optical heat-transfer diagnostic tools, such as the Mach-Zehnder interferometer, thus making PLIF an attractive choice for quantitative thermal imaging in easily perturbed, complex three-dimensional flow fields. The "instantaneous" (20-ns integration time) thermal images presented have a spatial resolution of 176쐀아 µm and a single-pulse temperature measurement precision of - 2.5 K, or 2.5% of the total temperature difference. These images represent a two-dimensional slice through a complex three-dimensional flow, allowing for thermal structure of the turbulence to be quantified. Statistics such as the horizontally averaged temperature profile, root-mean square (rms) temperature fluctuation, two-point spatial correlations, and conditionally averaged plume structures are computed from an ensemble of 100 temperature images. The profiles of the mean temperature and rms temperature fluctuation are in good agreement with previously published data, and the results obtained from the two-point spatial correlations and conditionally averaged temperature fields show the importance of large-scale coherent structures in this turbulent flow.     

A laser-induced fluorescence measurement for aqueous fluid flows with improved temperature sensitivity

This paper presents temperature-sensitive laser-induced fluorescence measurements of Fluorescein 27 dissolved in aqueous solutions. We show that Fluorescein 27, dissolved in water and excited by a 532-nm Nd:YAG laser pulse, yields improved temperature sensitivity over traditional organic dyes such as Rhodamine B. The high temperature sensitivity of Fluorescein 27 when excited at 532 nm is due primarily to a temperature-dependent shift of the absorption spectrum to longer wavelengths for increased temperatures. The linearity of the fluorescence signal with respect to the incident laser intensity and dye concentration is reported. In addition, Fluorescein 27 dissolved in an aqueous solution remains photo-stable for >10⁵ laser pulses at both ambient and high temperatures (T > 60°C) when excited with low-irradiance laser pulses. Finally, we demonstrate that using a dual tracer (or ratiometric) technique in which the fluorescence from Fluorescein 27 and another dye (e.g., Rhodamine B or Kiton Red 620) are detected following the 532 nm excitation results in a significantly enhanced temperature sensitivity over a single tracer measurement and previously reported dual tracer methods. Such temperature sensitivity is useful in multi-dimensional temperature imaging and temporally resolved measurements.

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A backlighted imaging technique for particle size measurements in two-phase flows

 An imaging technique that uses backlighting has been developed to measure drop sizes in annular two-phase flows with small concentrations of drops in the gas phase. Advantages over conventional photography are realized in that data collection and analysis times are shortened considerably, and consistent unbiased results can be expected. A magnification of 1.9 was used to measure drops above 50 μm. A drop size distribution was obtained for an air–water system as a superficial gas velocity of 30 m/s and a liquid flow of 20 g/s. The data are used to substantiate a theory for the rate of deposition. Received: 6 February 1997/Accepted: 3 February 1998     

A simple and efficient BEM algorithm for planar cavity flows

This paper presents a boundary element formulation for solution of planar Riabouchinsky cavity flow problems. An iterative procedure for adjusting the free surface position is developed and shown to be stable and convergent. Numerical results are compared with finite difference and finite element solutions, showing the superior accuracy of the BEM models.     

A rapid technique for measuring and visualizing the extent of separated flow

A method is described for rapidly measuring and visualizing the extent of separated flow suitable for a wind tunnel environment. The method utilizes a continuously swinging total pressure probe. This technique permits acquiring and presenting graphical records of separated regions in a fraction of the time required by other methods. Typical results indicate the presence of highly complicated three-dimensional separated regions for a typical general aviation twin-engine aircraft at post-stall conditions.List of Symbols c wing mean geometric chord - c_pt total pressure coefficient, (P _T-P_S)/q - P _S static pressure - P _T total pressure - q free stream dynamic pressure - q local dynamic pressure - r radial direction - x streamwise coordinate (x=0 corresponds to leading edge of wing) - angle of attach - azimuth direction     

A crossed hot-wire technique for complex turbulent flows

This paper describes a crossed hot-wire technique for the measurement of all components of mean velocity, Reynolds stresses, and triple products in a complex turbulent flow. The accuracy of various assumptions usually implicit in the use of crossed hot-wire anemometers is examined. It is shown that significant errors can result in flow with gradients in mean velocity or Reynolds stress, but that a first order correction for these errors can be made using available data. It is also shown how corrections can be made for high turbulence levels using available data.     

A novel static shape-adjustment technique for planar phased-array satellite antennas

Planar phased-array satellite antennas deform when subjected to external disturbances such as thermal gradients or slewing maneuvers. Such distortion can degrade the coherence of the antenna and must therefore be eliminated to maintain performance. To support planar phased-array satellite antennas, a truss with diagonal cables is often applied, generally pretensioned to improve the stiffness of the antenna and maintain the integrity of the structure. A new technique is proposed herein, using the diagonal cables as the actuators for static shape adjustment of the planar phased-array satellite antenna. In this technique, the diagonal cables are not pretensioned; instead, they are slack when the deformation of the antenna is small. When using this technique, there is no need to add redundant control devices, improving the reliability and reducing the mass of the antenna. The finite element method is used to establish a structural model for the satellite antenna, then a method is introduced to select proper diagonal cables and determine the corresponding forces. Numerical simulations of a simplified two-bay satellite antenna are first carried out to validate the proposed technique. Then, a simplified 18-bay antenna is also studied, because spaceborne satellite antennas have inevitably tended to be large in recent years. The numerical simulation results show that the proposed technique can be effectively used to adjust the static shape of planar phased-array satellite antennas, achieving high precision.     

A molecular filter based velocimetry technique for high speed flows

A molecular absorption filter-based diagnostic technique has been developed to obtain instantaneous, planar velocity measurements in high speed flows. This paper presents the details of the technique and its application in high Reynolds number compressible mixing layers with convective Mach numbers of 0.51 and 0.86. Pressure broadening was used to tune the absorption profile of the filter to a given flow field/optical arrangement. It is shown that two filters can be used when background scattering is significant: one as the velocity-discriminating filter, the other to eliminate unwanted background light from the reference camera. Collected images show instantaneous variations in velocity within both the highly organized roller type structures of the M _c = 0.51 mixing layer and the unorganized structures found in both mixing layers. An uncertainty analysis showed that the measurement uncertainty was ±8.6% for the current measurements, but improvements to reduce the uncertainty to ±3% are suggested.The authors would like to acknowledge support for this research from NASA Lewis Research Center under Dr. K. B. M. Q. Zaman (NAG3-764) the Air Force Office of Scientific Research under Dr. L. Sakell (AFOSR-91-0412), and an equipment grant from NSF (CTS-9006879). A fellowship from NSF to S. A. Arnette is gratefully acknowledged. The authors also wish to thank the AARL staff and graduate students M.F. Reeder and V.M. Belovich for their help. Thanks go to Prof. R.B. Miles and J.N. Forkey of Princeton University for their cooperation in obtaining measurements of the absorption profiles.     

A novel PIV technique for measurements in multiphase flows and its application to two-phase bubbly flows

A new experimental procedure for performing simultaneous, phase-separated velocity measurements in two-phase flows is introduced. Basically, the novel particle image velocimetry (PIV) technique is a combination of the three most often used PIV techniques in multiphase flows: PIV with fluorescent tracer particles, shadowgraphy, and the digital phase separation with a masking technique. The combination of these three independent measurement techniques is achieved by shifting the background intensity of a PIV recording to a higher, but uniform gray value level. In order to combine the advantages of these multiphase-PIV methods, a new PIV set-up was developed. With this set-up the velocity distributions of the two phases are measured simultaneously with only one b/w camera. This experimental set-up is aimed at providing a means for characterizing the modification of turbulence in the liquid phase by bubbles. This phenomenon is often called "pseudo-turbulence".     

A simple numerical technique for transient creep flows with free surfaces

A simple, but powerful iterative technique is presented for the numerical solution of the time-dependent flow of an incompressible viscous fluid with or without a free surface. The usual numerical stability restrictions related to the viscous acceleration terms are avoided using standard implicit differencing techniques. The properties and accuracy of the method are illustrated by several calculational examples.     

A combined Lagrangian method for simulation of axisymmetric gas-particle vortex flows

A combined fully Lagrangian approach for meshless modeling of unsteady axisymmetric vortex flows of a gas-particle mixture with an incompressible carrier phase is developed. The approach proposed is based on the combination of a meshless vortex method for calculating axisymmetric flows of the carrier phase described by the Navier–Stokes (or Euler) equations and the full Lagrangian method for calculating the parameters of the dispersed phase. The combination of these methods reduces the problem of modeling the two phase flows to the solution of a high-order system of ordinary differential equations for the coordinates of toroidal vortex elements in the carrier phase and the particle trajectories, the velocity components, and the components of the Jacobian of transformation from the Eulerian to the Lagrangian variables in the dispersed phase. The application of the method is illustrated by modeling the behavior of an admixture of inertial Stokes particles with a small mass concentration in unsteady flows like solitary vortex rings in a viscous carrier phase and groups of vortex rings in an effectively inviscid carrier phase.     

A pulsed-wire technique for velocity and temperature measurements in natural convection flows

A pulsed-wire probe based on the use of one or two parallel wires, capable of measuring the velocity and the temperature in natural convection flows is described. These measurements are based on the analysis of the relaxation response of a pulsing wire, submitted to a very short electrical pulse. The analysis of the temperature variation on an optional second receiver wire, gives information about the velocity direction. The implementation simplicity of this probe, its good spatial precision, the lack of thermal contamination of the flow, as well as the possibility of obtaining simultaneous velocity and temperature measurements, allow the integration of the device in a multi-point measurement network, capable to deliver thermal and dynamic cartographies of unsteady convection flows.