The effect of chamber length and Reynolds number on jet precession

The jet axial velocity field exiting from a nozzle/chamber configuration with an expansion ratio of 5 is investigated using Stereo-PIV for a range of chamber lengths and Reynolds (Re) numbers. The jet can exit the chamber in axial jet (AJ) mode with the maximum velocity near the chamber axis or precessing jet (PJ) mode with the maximum velocity near the chamber wall and rotating or precessing about the chamber axis. Algorithms were developed to determine the jet mode from exit conditions and allow conditional averaging of the velocity field in PJ mode. The probability of the jet in PJ mode was found to be a strong function of chamber length, L/D and only a mild function of Re for Re > 10,000. High precession probability was found for chambers of length in the range 2 < L/D < 2.75 for all cases for Re > 10,000. An abrupt reduction in precession probability occurred for chamber lengths L/D~3. For increasing chamber lengths, an increase in precession probability was observed. The ratio of entrainment-into-the-chamber of surrounding fluid to jet exit fluid was found not to be a function of Re or jet mode (AJ or PJ) but only a function of L/D. A maximum ratio entrainment-into-the-chamber was observed to occur in the range 2 < L/D < 2.5. Conditionally averaged velocity profiles also showed the exiting jet to be a strong function of L/D and with only a mild effect of Re for all cases of Re > 10,000.     

UV-mediated coalescence and mixing of inkjet printed drops

In the present study, the characteristics of supersonic rectangular microjets are investigated experimentally using molecular tagging velocimetry. The jets are discharged from a convergent–divergent rectangular nozzle whose exit height is 500 μm. The jet Mach number is set to 2.0 for all tested jets, and the Reynolds number Re is altered from 154 to 5,560 by changing the stagnation pressure. The experimental results reveal that jet velocity decays principally due to abrupt jet spreading caused by jet instability for relatively high Reynolds numbers (Re > ~450). The results also reveal that the jet rapidly decelerates to a subsonic speed near the nozzle exit for a low Reynolds number (Re = 154), although the jet does not spread abruptly; i.e., a transition in velocity decay processes occurs as the Reynolds number decreases. A supersonic core length is estimated from the streamwise distribution of the centerline velocity, and the length is then normalized by the nozzle exit height and plotted against the Reynolds number. As a result, it is found that the normalized supersonic core length attains a maximum value at a certain Reynolds number near which the transition in the velocity decay process occurs.     

Velocity and Passive Scalar Characteristics in a Round Jet with Grids at the Nozzle Exit

Velocity and passive scalar (temperature) measurements have been made in the near field of a round jet with and without obstructing grids placed at the jet exit. The Reynolds number Re _D (based on the exit centreline velocity and nozzle diameter) is 4.9 × 10⁴ and the flow is incompressible, while the temperature rise does not affect the velocity behaviour. The streamwise development and radial spreading of the passive scalar are attenuated, relative to the unobstructed jet. Close to the jet outlet, the spatial similarity of the moments (up to the third-order) of velocity fluctuations is improved, when the jet is perturbed. An explanation, based on the reduced effect of the large coherent structures in the developing region, is provided.     

The stability of low Reynolds number round jets

Multigrid cross-correlation digital particle image velocimetry (MCCDPIV) is used to investigate the stability and structure of low Reynolds number axisymmetric jets. The in-plane velocities, out-of-plane vorticity and some of the components of the Reynolds stress tensor are measured. Two Reynolds numbers based on the orifice outlet diameter are examined (680 and 1,030) at two different positions: one close to the orifice, ranging from 2D ₀ to 5D ₀ (D ₀ is the orifice diameter); and the other further from the orifice, ranging from 10D ₀ to 14.4D ₀. The results show that the lower Reynolds number jet (Re=680) is marginally unstable in the near-orifice region and is best described as laminar. Further downstream some intermittent structures are observed in the jet, and the growth in integrated turbulent kinetic energy with axial position indicates that the jet is also unstable in this region. For the higher Reynolds number jet (Re=1,030) the increasing size and intensity of vortical structures in the jet in the near-orifice region observed from the MCCDPIV data and the growth in integrated turbulent kinetic energy indicate that the jet is unstable. Further downstream this jet is best described as transitional or turbulent. From flow visualisation images in the near-orifice region it seems that, for both Reynolds numbers, shear layer roll-up occurs when the jet exits the orifice and enters the quiescent fluid in the tank, resulting in vortical structures that appear to grow as the jet proceeds. This is indicative of instability in both cases and is consistent with previous flow visualisation studies of low Reynolds number round jets. Discrepancies observed between the flow visualisation results and the MCCDPIV data is addressed. On the basis of flow visualisation results it is generally assumed that round jets are unstable at very low Reynolds number, however the present work shows that this assertion may be incorrect.     

Simultaneous velocity and passive scalar concentration measurements in low Reynolds number neutrally buoyant turbulent round jets

Velocity and scalar concentration characteristics of low Reynolds number (Re) neutrally buoyant turbulent round jets were studied using coupled particle image velocimetry and laser induced fluorescence. Experiments were conducted on a jet with a fully developed pipe exit profile at Re = 1,500 and Re = 4,000. Measurements were made in the far field (60 < x/D < 80). Results show that the centerline velocity decay constant increases with Re and the virtual origin is located far from the jet exit. The Re does not have such an influence on the scalar concentration decay constant and scalar field virtual origin. Centerline turbulent intensities show evidence of becoming self-similar past x/D ≈ 75 but the same is not observed in the scalar fluctuations. The latter are strongly influenced by the Re, increasing as entrainment of ambient flow on the jet axis increases as the flow approaches laminar conditions. Scalar fluxes showed a marked Re dependence as well. Results were used to estimate the turbulent Schmidt number which decreases as the Re decreases.     

On vortex shedding from low aspect ratio dual step cylinders

A dual-step cylinder is comprised of two cylinders of different diameters. A large diameter cylinder (D) with low aspect ratio (L/D) is attached to the mid-span of a small diameter cylinder (d). The present study investigates the effect of Reynolds number (Re_D) and L/D on dual step cylinder wake development for D/d=2, 0.2≤L/D≤3, and two Reynolds numbers, Re_D=1050 and 2100. Experiments have been performed in a water flume facility utilizing flow visualization, Laser Doppler Velocimetry (LDV), and Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). The results show that vortex shedding occurs from both the large and small diameter cylinders for 1≤L/D≤3 at Re_D=2100 and 2≤L/D≤3 at Re_D=1050. At these conditions, large cylinder vortices predominantly form vortex loops in the wake and small cylinder vortices form half-loop vortex connections. At lower aspect ratios, vortex shedding from the large cylinder ceases, with the dominant frequency in the large cylinder wake attributed to the passage of vortex filaments connecting small cylinder vortices. At these lower aspect ratios, the presence of the large cylinder induces periodic vortex dislocations. Increasing L/D increases the frequency of occurrence of vortex dislocations and decreases the dominant frequency in the large cylinder wake. The identified changes in wake topology are related to substantial variations in the location of boundary layer separation on the large cylinder, and, consequently, changes in the size of the vortex formation region. The results also show that the Reynolds number has a substantial effect on wake vortex shedding frequency, which is more profound than that expected for a uniform cylinder.     

Flow evolution of a turbulent submerged two-dimensional rectangular free jet of air. Average Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) visualizations and measurements

The paper presents average flow visualizations and measurements, obtained with the Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) technique, of a submerged rectangular free jet of air in the range of Reynolds numbers from Re = 35,300 to Re = 2200, where the Reynolds number is defined according to the hydraulic diameter of a rectangular slot of height H. According to the literature, just after the exit of the jet there is a zone of flow, called zone of flow establishment, containing the region of mixing fluid, at the border with the stagnant fluid, and the potential core, where velocity on the centerline maintains a value almost equal to the exit one. After this zone is present the zone of established flow or fully developed region. The goal of the paper is to show, with average PIV visualizations and measurements, that, before the zone of flow establishment is present a region of flow, never mentioned by the literature and called undisturbed region of flow, with a length, L_U, which decreases with the increase of the Reynolds number. The main characteristics of the undisturbed region is the fact that the velocity profile maintains almost equal to the exit one, and can also be identified by a constant height of the average PIV visualizations, with length, L_CH, or by a constant turbulence on the centerline, with length L_CT. The average PIV velocity and turbulence measurements are compared to those performed with the Hot Film Anemometry (HFA) technique. The average PIV visualizations show that the region of constant height has a length L_CH which increases from L_CH = H at Re = 35,300 to L_CH = 4–5H at Re = 2200. The PIV measurements on the centerline of the jet show that turbulence remains constant at the level of the exit for a length, L_CT, which increases from L_CT = H at Re = 35,300 to L_CT = 4–5H at Re = 2200. The PIV measurements show that velocity remains constant at the exit level for a length, L_U, which increases from L_U = H at Re = 35,300 to L_U = 6H at Re = 2200 and is called undisturbed region of flow. In turbulent flow the length L_U is almost equal to the lengths of the regions of constant height, L_CH, and constant turbulence, L_CT. In laminar flow, Re = 2200, the length of the undisturbed region of flow, L_U, is greater than the lengths of the regions of constant height and turbulence, L_CT = L_CH = 4–5H. The average PIV and HFA velocity measurements confirm that the length of potential core, L_P, increases from L_P = 4–5H at Re = 35,300 to L_P = 7–8H at Re = 2200, and are compared to the previous experimental and theoretical results of the literature in the zone of mixing fluid and in the fully developed region with a good agreement.     

Moderate Reynolds number axisymmetric jet development downstream an extended conical diffuser: Influence of extension length

Low-velocity (bulk velocity of 4.4 m/s) and moderate Reynolds (7350) axisymmetrical jet development is studied by hot-film single sensor anemometry. The jet issues from a conical convergent-divergent diffuser with uniform extension (diameter 25 mm). Decreasing the length-to-diameter ratio of the extension tube from 20 down to 0.4 is shown to alter severely the mean velocity profile at the tube outlet from Blasius to top-hat whereas turbulence intensities increases from 6 up to 50%. Next, the influence of the initial velocity profile at the tube outlet on axisymmetrical jet development is assessed. The velocity development exhibits a self-similar far field characteristic for axisymmetrical jet development. Although, the jet centerline decay constant increases and the jet spreading rate decreases as length-to-diameter ratios are increased from 0.4 up to 7.2 for which the initial centerline velocity decreases. Therefore, scaling of the centerline decay constant and inverse scaling of the spreading rate with initial centerline velocity U₀ or initial velocity Reynolds number Re₀ reported for moderate Reynolds numbers and low initial turbulence levels [18,22] does not hold as the turbulence level exceeds a threshold value in the range 12–27%. In addition, the influence of initial conditions on near and far field turbulence properties is shown. A transition in near field behaviour is observed for length-to-diameters around 3.6. Flow and geometrical configurations under study are relevant to e.g. upper airway flow.     

Study on the radial jet velocity distribution of two closely spaced opposed jets

The experimental and theoretical researches on the radial jet of two opposed jets have been carried out in this paper. The radial velocities of opposed jets with various exit velocities, nozzle diameters and nozzle separations were measured experimentally by a hot-wire anemometer (HWA). The results show that, the normalized radial velocities are self-similar across various radial sections at r ? 1.5D and the radial velocity profiles can be described by a Gaussian distribution function. The half-width increases linearly with increasing radial distance at r ? 1.5D, and spreading rates of radial jet are about 0.121. The normalized radial velocity at impingement plane increases firstly, and then decreases with the increasing normalized radial distance. The normalized radial velocity is independent on nozzle diameter, nozzle separation and exit velocity. The maximum radial velocity at impingement plane is proportional to the exit velocity, and it is inversely proportional to the 0.551th power of the normalized nozzle separation. The position of the maximum radial velocity increases with the nozzle separation at L/D < 1, and keeps invariant at L/D ? 1.     

Turbulent flow in a circular separationless diffuser at Reynolds numbers smaller than 2000

The results of experimental and numerical investigation of flow in a circular conical diffuser with a small conicity angle ensuring separationless flow are presented. The measurements are carried out in an air flow with the Reynolds number Re₂ in the diffuser exit section ranging from 600 to 3000. A considerable effect of the channel expansion on the flow pattern is found to exist. It is shown that, as distinct from a tube, in which only laminar flow can be realized as steady for Re < 2000, in the exit section of a diffuser with the generator slope of 0.3° and a length equal to 70 entry diameters a developed turbulent flow is formed for Re₂ > 1000. For Re₂ > 1300 this flow is steady, that is, almost independent of the turbulence level at the entry, and is determined by the Reynolds number Re₂ in the exit section. For Re₂ ≈ 1000 the turbulent flow continuously goes over into a laminar flow. The flow parameters measured at the diffuser exit correspond to calculations in accordance with the threeequation turbulence model.     

Mixing characteristics of a film-exciting flapping jet

We have recently discovered a new type of self-excited flapping jets due to a flexible film whose leading edge is fixed at the nozzle exit [Exp Ther Fluid Sci, 106, 226-233]. This paper is to report the experimental investigation on mixing characteristics of the jet induced by a rectangular FEP film. Hot wire anemometry and flow visualization are used to examine the flapping jet flow versus the non-flapping counterpart. Experiments are conducted under the following conditions: i.e., L/D = 1.0 (fixed), W/D = 0.03 ~ 1.0 (varying) and Re = 10000 ~ 45000 (varying); where W and L are the film's width and length, D is the nozzle-exit diameter, and Re is the Reynolds number defined by Re U_oD/ν with U_o and ν being the jet-exit velocity and fluid viscosity.It is found that the jet-flapping frequency f_F varies with W in a complex fashion while it grows roughly linearly with increasing U_o for W/D ≥ 0.5. The flapping Strouhal number St_F f_FD/U_o ranges in 0.13 ≤ St_F ≤ 0.23 for Re = 15,000 ~ 45,000. These Strouhal numbers are substantially lower than that (≈ 0.45 ~ 0.7) for the primary vortex generation in the free jet, but one to two orders of magnitude higher than those from the conventional self-exciting fluidic devices. In general, the flapping jet decays and spreads more rapidly than does the free jet. As W increases, the decaying and spreading rates both grow. Of significance, the centerline evolutions of Taylor and Kolmogorov scales versus the integral scale are examined to characterize the small scales of turbulence against the large-scale motion.     

Experimental study of parallel and inclined turbulent wall jets

An experimental study of the flow field in a two-dimensional wall jet has been conducted. All measurements were carried out using hot-wire anemometry. The experimental facility has a rectangular slot nozzle of high aspect ratio l/b = 100 (where l and b are the length and height slot, respectively). Mean velocities and Reynolds stresses were determined with three nozzle Reynolds numbers (Re = 1 × 10⁴, 2 × 10⁴ and 3 × 10⁴) and four different inclination angles between the wall and the flow velocity at the nozzle (β = 0°, 10°, 20° and 30°). Results indicate that all wall jets are self-preserving in the developed region. Normal to the wall two regions can be identified: one similar to a plane free jet and the other similar to a boundary layer. Downstream the interaction between these two regions creates a mixed or third region. The logarithmic region increases with the distance from the nozzle and with the Reynolds number. For the inclined wall jet, the spreading rate expressed in terms of jet half-width or maximum velocity decay with respect to the streamwise distance, asymptotes to a linear law. The streamwise locations where the jet becomes self-similar are farther from the exit than in parallel wall jet. The slope of both half-width and maximum velocity decay in the developed region are affected by both wall jet inclination angle and nozzle exit Reynolds number.     

Numerical simulation of two‐dimensional laminar slot‐jet impingement flows confined by a parallel wall

Two‐dimensional laminar incompressible impinging slot‐jet is simulated numerically to gain insight into flow characteristics.Computations are done for vertically downward‐directed slot‐jets impinging on a plate at the bottom and confined by a parallel surface on top. The behaviour of the jet with respect to aspect ratio (AR) and Reynolds number (Re) are described in detail. The computed flow patterns for various AR (2–5) and for a range of jet‐exit Reynolds numbers (100–500) are analysed to understand the flow characteristics. The transient development of the flow is also simulated for AR = 4 and Re = 300. It is found that the reattachment length is dependent on both AR and Reynolds number for the range considered. The correlation for reattachment length is suggested. The maximum resultant velocity V_rmax and its trajectory is reported. A detailed study of horizontal velocity profile at different downstream locations is reported. It is found that the effect of Reynolds number and AR is significant to the bottom wall vorticity in the impingement and wall jet regions. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Quantifying the dynamics of flow within a permeable bed using time-resolved endoscopic particle imaging velocimetry (EPIV)

This paper presents results of an experimental study investigating the mean and temporal evolution of flow within the pore space of a packed bed overlain by a free-surface flow. Data were collected by an endoscopic PIV (EPIV) technique. EPIV allows the instantaneous velocity field within the pore space to be quantified at a high spatio-temporal resolution, thus permitting investigation of the structure of turbulent subsurface flow produced by a high Reynolds number freestream flow (Re _s in the range 9.8?×?10³?C9.7?×?10⁴). Evolution of coherent flow structures within the pore space is shown to be driven by jet flow, with the interaction of this jet with the pore flow generating distinct coherent flow structures. The effects of freestream water depth, Reynolds and Froude numbers are investigated.     

Terminal velocity of a Taylor drop in a vertical pipe

A scaling analysis based on the field equations for two phases and the jump conditions at the interface is carried out to deduce a balance of forces acting on a Taylor drop rising through stagnant liquid in a vertical pipe. The force balance is utilized to deduce a functional form of an empirical correlation of terminal velocity of the Taylor drop. Undetermined coefficients in the correlation are evaluated by making use of available correlations for two limiting cases, i.e. extremely high and low Reynolds number Taylor bubbles in large pipes. Terminal velocity data obtained by interface tracking simulations are also used to determine the coefficients. The proposed correlation expresses the Froude number Fr as a function of the drop Reynolds number Re_D, the Eötvös number Eo_D and the viscosity ratio μ^*. Comparisons between the correlation, simulations and experimental data confirm that the proposed correlation is applicable to Taylor drops under various conditions, i.e., 0.002 < Re_D < 4960, 4.8 < Eo_D < 228, 0 ? μ^* ? 70, 1 < N < 14700, −12 < log M < 4, and d/D < 1.6, where N is the inverse viscosity number, M the Morton number, d the sphere-volume equivalent drop diameter and D the pipe diameter.     

Theoretical and experimental studies on the coefficient of discharge and spray cone angle of a swirl spray pressure nozzle using a power-law non-Newtonian fluid

An extension of earlier work is made in the present paper to determine both theoretically and experimentally the coefficient of discharge and spray cone angle of a swirl nozzle using a time-independent purely viscous power-law non-Newtonian fluid. The theoretical predictions are made through an approximate analytical solution of the hydrodynamics of flow inside the nozzle. Experiments are carried out with aqueous solutions of CMC (carboxymethyl cellulose sodium salt) powder of various concentrations as the working fluids. The rheological properties of the working fluids are established by a capillary tube viscometer. From both the theoretical and experimental analyses, the pertinent independent input parameters are recognised as the generalised Reynolds number at inlet to the nozzle Re_Gi, the flow behaviour index of the fluid n, length-to-diameter ratio of the swirl chamber L₁/D₁, spin chamber angle 2α and the orifice-to-swirl-chamber-diameter ratio D₁/D₁. Although the theory predicts the correct qualitative trend in all cases, it does not agree well with the experimental results. Therefore, on the basis of the theoretical results, emperical relationships between nozzle characteristics and input parameters heve been established. Finally it is recognised that, regarding the injection conditions and fluid properties, the generalised Reynolds number at nozzle inlet Re_Gi and the flow behaviour index n have inverse and direct effects, respectively, on the coefficient of discharge, but have a negligible influence on the spray cone angle. Amongst the nozzle geometries, an increase in the values of D₂/D₁ and 2α or a decrease in the value of L₁/D₁ decrease the coefficient of discharge and increase the spray cone angle.     

The effects of acceleration in jets: kinematics of the near field vortices

Direct and large-eddy simulations (DNS/LES) of accelerating round jets are used to analyze the effects of acceleration on the kinematics of vortex rings in the near field of the jet (x/D < 12). The acceleration is obtained by increasing the nozzle jet velocity with time, in a previously established (steady) jet, and ends once the inlet jet velocity is equal to twice its initial value. Several acceleration rates (α = 0.02–0.6) and Reynolds numbers (Re _D = 500–20000) were simulated. Acceleration maps were used to make a detailed study of the kinematics of vortex rings in accelerating jets. One of the effects of the acceleration is to cause a number of new primary and secondary vortex merging events that are absent from steady jets. As the acceleration rate α increases, both the number of primary merging events between rings and the axial position where these take place decreases. The statistics for the speed of the starting ring that forms at the start of the acceleration phase for each simulation, agree well with the statistics for the “front” speed observed by Zhang and Johari (Phys Fluids 8:2185–2195, 1996). Acceleration maps and flow visualizations show that during the acceleration phase the near field coherent vortices become smaller and are formed at an higher frequency than in the steady jet, and their (mean) shedding frequency increases linearly with the acceleration rate. Finally, it was observed that the acceleration decreases the spreading rate of the jet, in agreement with previous experimental works.      

The effect of sidewalls on rectangular jets

An experimental study is presented regarding the influence of sidewalls on the turbulent free jet flow issuing from a smoothly contracting rectangular nozzle of aspect ratio 15. “Sidewalls” are two parallel plates, flush with each of the slots’ short sides, practically establishing bounding walls extending the nozzle sidewalls in the downstream direction. Measurements of the streamwise and lateral velocity mean and turbulent characteristics have been accomplished, with an x-sensor hot wire anemometer, up to an axial distance of 35 nozzle widths, for jets with identical inlet conditions with and without sidewalls. Centreline measurements for both configurations have been collected for three Reynolds numbers, Re_D = 10,000, 20,000 and 30,000. For Re_D = 20,000 measurements in the transverse direction were collected at 13 different downstream locations in the range, x = 0–35 nozzle widths, and in the spanwise direction at three different downstream locations, x = 2, 6 and 25 nozzle widths.Results indicate that, the two jet configurations (with and without sidewalls) produce statistically different flow fields. Sidewalls do not lead to the production of a 2D flow field as undulations in the spanwise mean velocity distribution indicate. They do increase the two-dimensionality of the jet increasing the longevity of 2D spanwise rollers structures formed in the initial stages of entrainment, which are responsible for the convection of longitudinal momentum towards the outer field, establishing larger streamwise mean velocities at the jet edges. In the near field, up to 25 nozzle widths, lower outward lateral velocities in the presence of the sidewalls are held responsible for the decrease of turbulent terms including rms of velocity fluctuations and Reynolds stresses. Skewness factors increase monotonically across the shear layers from negative values to positive forming sharp peaks at the outer edges of the jet, illustrative of the presence of well defined 2D roller structures in the jet with sidewalls.     

Evolution of turbulence characteristics from straight to curved pipes

Fully developed, statistically steady turbulent flow in straight and curved pipes at moderate Reynolds numbers is studied in detail using direct numerical simulations (DNS) based on a spectral element discretisation. After the validation of data and setup against existing DNS results, a comparative study of turbulent characteristics at different bulk Reynolds numbers Re_b = 5300 and 11,700, and various curvature parameters κ = 0, 0.01, 0.1 is presented. In particular, complete Reynolds-stress budgets are reported for the first time. Instantaneous visualisations reveal partial relaminarisation along the inner surface of the curved pipe at the highest curvature, whereas developed turbulence is always maintained at the outer side. The mean flow shows asymmetry in the axial velocity profile and distinct Dean vortices as secondary motions. For strong curvature a distinct bulge appears close to the pipe centre, which has previously been observed in laminar and transitional curved pipes at lower Re_b only. On the other hand, mild curvature allows the interesting observation of a friction factor which is lower than in a straight pipe for the same flow rate.All statistical data, including mean profile, fluctuations and the Reynolds-stress budgets, is available for development and validation of turbulence models in curved geometries.     

Three-dimensional simulations of flow past two circular cylinders in side-by-side arrangements at right and oblique attacks

The flow past two identical circular cylinders in side-by-side arrangements at right and oblique attack angles is numerically investigated by solving the three-dimensional Navier–Stokes equations using the Petrov–Galerkin finite element method. The study is focused on the effect of flow attack angle and gap ratio between the two cylinders on the vortex shedding flow and the hydrodynamic forces of the cylinders. For an oblique flow attack angle, the Reynolds number based on the velocity component perpendicular to the cylinder span is defined as the normal Reynolds number Re_N and that based on the total velocity is defined as the total Reynolds number Re_T. Simulations are conducted for two Reynolds numbers of Re_N=500 and Re_T=500, two flow attack angles of α=0° and 45° and four gap ratios of G/D=0.5, 1, 3 and 5. The biased gap flow for G/D=0.5 and 1 and the flip-flopping bistable gap flow for G/D=1 are observed for both α=0° and 45°. For a constant normal Reynolds number of Re_N=500, the mean drag and lift coefficients at α=0° are very close to those at α=45°. The difference between the root mean square (RMS) lift coefficient at α=0° and that at α=45° is about 20% for large gap ratios of 3 and 5. From small gap ratios of 0.5 and 1, the RMS lift coefficients at α=0° and 45° are similar to each other. The present simulations show that the agreement in the force coefficients between the 0° and 45° flow attack angles for a constant normal Reynolds number is better than that for a constant total Reynolds number. This indicates that the normal Reynolds number should be used in the implementation of the independence principle (i.e., the independence of the force coefficients on the flow attack angle). The effect of Reynolds number on the bistable gap flow is investigated by simulating the flow for Re_N=100–600, α=0° and 45° and G/D=1. Flow for G/D=1 is found to be two-dimensional at Re_N=100 and weak three-dimensional at Re_N=200. While well defined biased flow can be identified for Re_N=300–600, the gap flow for Re_N=100 and 200 changes its biased direction too frequently to allow stable biased flow to develop.