POD analysis on the sphere wake at a subcritical Reynolds number

Abstract  

Flow characteristics of turbulent wake behind a sphere at a subcritical flow regime were experimentally investigated. The particle image velocimetry measurements and proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) modal analysis were employed to get detailed flow information such as the wavy structure, swirling motion and coherent structures of the sphere wake. The variation of turbulent intensities of the radial and circumferential velocity components showed the swirling motion of sphere wake in the cross-sectional planes. The relative contribution of the POD mode 1, 2 and 3 in eigenvalues was 26, 11, and 8%, respectively. The general pattern of velocity fields for the POD mode 1 in the near-wake region of x/d = 0.7–1.4 is similar with that of time-averaged mean velocity fields. In addition, the sweeping flow in the region from x/d = 1.5 to x/d = 2.0 possesses wavy structure of the sphere wake. The experimental results of the present study would contribute to the fundamental understanding of the turbulent near-wake behind a sphere.     

槽道流POD重构及湍流动能耗散率分析

采用二维粒子图像测速仪（2DPIV）对槽道内涡波流场进行实验研究,用POD技术对2DPIV瞬态速度矢量场进行主导模态重构,得到槽道内的平均流速和湍流动能分布;采用大涡PIV方法对湍流动能耗散率分布进行计算.结果表明：重构流场表征了原始流场的主导结构,剔除了噪声等干扰信息;大涡PIV方法能有效地估算动能耗散率的分布;湍流动能在壁面附近较小,在接近槽道中心区域湍流动能越来越大,呈现出射流的特征;动能耗散率的峰值出现在壁面附近和槽道中心区域,动能耗散率随着远离壁面程度的增加先降低后逐渐增加直至达到峰值.     

Visualization of the tip vortices in a wind turbine wake

Abstract  

In the present study, an experimental study was conducted to characterize the formation and the evolution of the helical tip vortices and turbulent flow structures in the wake of a horizontal axis wind turbine model placed in an atmospheric boundary layer wind. A high-resolution particle image velocimetry system was used to make detailed flow field measurements to quantify the time evolution of the helical tip vortices in relation to the position of the rotating turbine blades in order to elucidate the underlying physics associated with turbine power generation and fatigue loads acting on the wind turbines.     

Study on flow distribution for room air conditioner using visualization technique

Abstract  

Flow distributions of a room air conditioner (RAC) have been analyzed by a visualization technique such as a particle image velocimetry (PIV) in this study. Flow structures have been investigated inside and outside the RAC to improve efficiencies. Accuracies of the measured velocities by the PIV have been confirmed by a Pitot tube at important locations around the RAC. Then, a numerical analysis has been performed by developed computer programs to design parts for the RAC with improved efficiencies. The design guideline has been proposed based on the analyzed results to reduce the condensation problem and increase the flow rate. Finally, shapes of a fan with high flow rates and an outlet with reduced condensation problems have been obtained based on the developed experimental and numerical methods in this study.     

Convection and correlation of coherent structure in turbulent boundary layer using tomographic particle image velocimetry

The present experimental work focuses on a new model for space–time correlation and the scale-dependencies of convection velocity and sweep velocity in turbulent boundary layer over a flat wall. A turbulent boundary layer flow at Reθ= 2460 is measured by tomographic particle image velocimetry(tomographic PIV). It is demonstrated that arch, cane,and hairpin vortices are dominant in the logarithmic layer. Hairpins and hairpin packets are responsible for the elongated low-momentum zones observed in the instantaneous flow field. The conditionally-averaged coherent structures systemically illustrate the key roles of hairpin vortice in the turbulence dynamic events, such as ejection and sweep events and energy transport. The space–time correlations of instantaneous streamwise fluctuation velocity are calculated and confirm the new elliptic model for the space–time correlation instead of Taylor hypothesis. The convection velocities derived from the space–time correlation and conditionally-averaged method both suggest the scaling with the local mean velocity in the logarithmic layer. Convection velocity result based on Fourier decomposition(FD) shows stronger scale- dependency in the spanwise direction than in streamwise direction. Compared with FD, the proper orthogonal decomposition(POD) has a distinct distribution of convection velocity for the large- and small-scales which are separated in light of their contributions of turbulent kinetic energy.     

Visualization of respiratory flows from 3D reconstructed alveolar airspaces using X-ray tomographic microscopy

Abstract  

A deeper knowledge of the three-dimensional (3D) structure of the pulmonary acinus has direct applications in studies on acinar fluid dynamics and aerosol kinematics. To date, however, acinar flow simulations have been often based on geometrical models inspired by morphometrical studies; limitations in the spatial resolution of lung imaging techniques have prevented the simulation of acinar flows using 3D reconstructions of such small structures. In the present study, we use high-resolution, synchrotron radiation-based X-ray tomographic microscopy (SRXTM) images of the pulmonary acinus of a mouse to reconstruct 3D alveolar airspaces and conduct computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations mimicking rhythmic breathing motion. Respiratory airflows and Lagrangian (massless) particle tracking are visualized in two examples of acinar geometries with varying size and complexity, representative of terminal sacculi including their alveoli. The present CFD simulations open the path towards future acinar flow and aerosol deposition studies in complete and anatomically realistic multi-generation acinar trees using reconstructed 3D SRXTM geometries.     

Spatial hot-wire visualization of the Λ-structure transformation into the turbulent spot on the smooth flat plate surface and riblet effect on this process

Abstract  

Evolution of the Λ-vortex and its transformation into the turbulent spot in a flat plate boundary layer are investigated experimentally. Extensive measurements visualizing the Λ-structure transformation into the turbulent spot on the smooth and ribbed surfaces of the flat plate are presented. The flow behavior in the course of spatial evolution of the Λ-structure and turbulent spot is discussed. Specific features of the downstream evolution of Λ-structure and turbulent spot on the smooth and ribbed surfaces are demonstrated, such as suppression by riblets of the Λ-vortex transformation into the turbulent spot, appearance of the coherent structures of Λ-vortex within ensemble-averaged turbulent spot, and oblique waves generation both by the Λ-vortex and turbulent spot.     

Characteristics and generation of elastic turbulence in a three-dimensional parallel plate channel using direct numerical simulation

Direct numerical simulations(DNSs) of purely elastic turbulence in rectilinear shear flows in a three-dimensional(3D) parallel plate channel were carried out,by which numerical databases were established.Based on the numerical databases,the present paper analyzed the structural and statistical characteristics of the elastic turbulence including flow patterns,the wall effect on the turbulent kinetic energy spectrum,and the local relationship between the flow motion and the microstructures' behavior.Moreover,to address the underlying physical mechanism of elastic turbulence,its generation was presented in terms of the global energy budget.The results showed that the flow structures in elastic turbulence were 3D with spatial scales on the order of the geometrical characteristic length,and vortex tubes were more likely to be embedded in the regions where the polymers were strongly stretched.In addition,the patterns of microstructures' elongation behave like a filament.From the results of the turbulent kinetic energy budget,it was found that the continuous energy releasing from the polymers into the main flow was the main source of the generation and maintenance of the elastic turbulent status.     

Equipartition of rotational and translational energy in a dense granular gas

Experiments quantifying the rotational and translational motion of particles in a dense, driven, 2D granular gas floating on an air table reveal that kinetic energy is divided equally between the two translational and one rotational degrees of freedom. This equipartition persists when the particle properties, confining pressure, packing density, or spatial ordering are changed. While the translational velocity distributions are the same for both large and small particles, the angular velocity distributions scale with the particle radius. The probability distributions of all particle velocities have approximately exponential tails. Additionally, we find that the system can be described with a granular Boyle's law with a van?der?Waals-like equation of state. These results demonstrate ways in which conventional statistical mechanics can unexpectedly apply to nonequilibrium systems.     

Numerical simulation and flow visualization using soap film of the self-organized vortex structure in the wake of an array of cylinders

Abstract  

With the aid of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and simple flow visualization technique using flowing soap-film, we present here the wake structures behind an array of cylinders for Reynolds numbers corresponding to both laminar and turbulent flow regimes. The image results illustrate interesting vortex interactions past these equally spaced cylinders; for low Reynolds number flow, well-organized wake pattern persists and manifests unsteadily to different symmetry states. An increase of free stream flow velocity causes the wake transition, resulting in the formation of asymmetric flow wake with chaotic mixing at the far wake. Observations from both the numerical simulations and soap-film are in good agreement at least qualitatively.     

基于POD方法开缝圆柱绕流流场的研究

利用粒子成像测速技术（particle image velocimetry,PIV）,在水槽中探究缝隙对圆柱流场结构的影响,应用频谱分析和本征正交分解（proper orthogonal decomposition,POD）方法,研究了开缝圆柱流场相干结构.实验Reynolds数范围内,缝隙的"吹吸"作用从根本上改变了圆柱绕流近区尾流结构,前6阶模态形态是流场中最主要的相干结构.第1,2阶模态形态控制着圆柱绕流流场涡街相继脱落过程,1或2阶模态系数为尾迹涡的固有频率;第3,4阶模态形态控制着脱落旋涡沿流向方向能量运输;第5,6阶模态形态中的同向涡旋结构作用于旋涡缓慢脱离柱体这一过程,并对旋涡能量起着衰减作用.      

Investigation of the pseudo-shock wave in a two-dimensional supersonic inlet

Abstract  

This paper describes experimental and numerical investigations into the multiple shock waves/turbulent boundary layer interaction in a supersonic inlet. The test model has a rectangular shape with an asymmetric subsonic diffuser of 5°. Experiments were conducted to obtain the visualization images and static pressure data by using supersonic wind tunnel. Numerical simulation was performed by solving the RANS equations with the Menter’s SST turbulent model. The inflow condition was a free-stream Mach number of 2.5 and a unit Reynolds number of 7.6 × 10⁷/m. Numerical results showed good agreement with the experimental results. Based on this agreement, the flow characteristics which are often very difficult to obtain experimentally alone were analyzed with the aid of numerical simulation. The structures, pressure and velocity distributions, and total pressure loss of the pseudo-shock wave in the supersonic inlet were presented in detail from flow visualization images and static pressures.     

Visualization of low Reynolds boundary-driven cavity flows in thin liquid shells

Abstract  

Classic examples of low-Reynolds recirculating cavity flows are typically generated from lid-driven boundary motion at a solid–fluid interface, or alternatively may result from shear flow over cavity openings. Here, we are interested in an original family of boundary-driven cavity flows occurring, in contrast to classic setups, at fluid–fluid interfaces. Particle image velocimetry (PIV) is used to investigate the structure of internal convective flows observed in thin liquid shells. Under the specific configuration investigated, the soap bubble’s liquid shell is in fact in motion and exhibits sporadic local “bursts”. These bursts induce transient flow motion within the cavity of order Re ∼ O(1). The combination of PIV and proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) is used to extract dominant flow structures present within bubble cavities. Next, we show that thermally induced Marangoni flows in the liquid shell can lead to forced, (quasi) steady-state, internal recirculating flows. The present findings illustrate a novel example of low-Reynolds boundary-driven cavity flows.     

Flow visualization and scanning PIV measurement of three-dimensional structure in near field of strongly buoyant jet

Abstract  

The near-field structure of strongly buoyant jet issuing from a square nozzle at low Froude and Reynolds numbers is studied by using LIF flow visualization and time-resolved scanning PIV. These experimental techniques allow the visualization of unsteady three-dimensional flow phenomenon occurring in the near-field of strongly buoyant jet. It is found that the buoyant jet is unstable to the positive buoyancy forces, which promote the inflow motion near the nozzle exit. The surrounding low temperature fluid moves into the nozzle inside along the nozzle corner and mixes with the high temperature fluid deep into the nozzle. Then, the flow pattern inside the nozzle becomes highly complex to promote the laminar to turbulent transition of the jet. The statistical flow characteristics of the strongly buoyant jet are evaluated from the scanning PIV measurement, and the result indicates the presence of axisymmetric distributions of mean flow and velocity fluctuations in the circle of diameter equal to the square side of the nozzle.     

Experimental investigation of conical bubble structure and acoustic flow structure in ultrasonic field

The objective of this paper is to investigate the transient conical bubble structure (CBS) and acoustic flow structure in ultrasonic field. In the experiment, the high-speed video and particle image velocimetry (PIV) techniques are used to measure the acoustic cavitation patterns, as well as the flow velocity and vorticity fields. Results are presented for a high power ultrasound with a frequency of 18 kHz, and the range of the input power is from 50 W to 250 W. The results of the experiment show the input power significantly affects the structures of CBS, with the increase of input power, the cavity region of CBS and the velocity of bubbles increase evidently. For the transient motion of bubbles on radiating surface, two different types could be classified, namely the formation, aggregation and coalescence of cavitation bubbles, and the aggregation, shrink, expansion and collapse of bubble cluster. Furthermore, the thickness of turbulent boundary layer near the sonotrode region is found to be much thicker, and the turbulent intensities are much higher for relatively higher input power. The vorticity distribution is prominently affected by the spatial position and input power.     

On the role of anisotropic turbomachinery flow structures in inter-scale turbulence energy flux as deduced from SPIV measurements

The present study uses stereoscopic particle image velocimetry in the rotor exit of a centrifugal turbomachine to analyse anisotropy and geometrical characteristics of tensorial flow quantities. The purpose is to identify dominant topologies of turbulence stress tensor and principal directions of flow structures. The misalignment between principal directions of strain and turbulence stress tensors is more evident in the jet–wake interaction regions and questions the eddy-viscosity models which assume an exact alignment between stress/strain eigenvectors. Anisotropy analysis based on the barycentric approach shows that the disk-like structure and/or the rod-like structure limiting states of turbulence are the most frequent topologies of turbulence stress. Additionally, planar straining is the dominant deformation characteristic in the measurement area. These anisotropic behaviours considerably attribute to the turbulence energy cascade. Conditional isolation of flow structures based on inter-scale energy flux shows that a larger extent of turbulence stress anisotropy results in a larger energy flux and therefore significantly affects the dynamics of turbulent flow structures.     

Mixing in a model gas turbine combustor studied by panoramic optical techniques

Using planar optical methods based on laser-induced fluorescence and particle image velocimetry instantaneous velocity fields and passive tracer concentration are measured simultaneously in a model of GT-combustor at realistic flow rates. Spatial distributions of velocity pulsations and passive tracer concentration pulsations are measured at air flow rate about 0.4 kg/s. Correlations of velocity and concentration pulsations are measured. The most intense turbulent mass flux in the region of swirling flow mixing layer was observed. The contribution of advective and turbulent components in the transfer of a passive tracer in the axial direction was estimated.     

Lagrangian view of time irreversibility of fluid turbulence

A turbulent flow is maintained by an external supply of kinetic energy, which is eventually dissipated into heat at steep velocity gradients. The scale at which energy is supplied greatly differs from the scale at which energy is dissipated, the more so as the turbulent intensity(the Reynolds number) is larger. The resulting energy flux over the range of scales, intermediate between energy injection and dissipation, acts as a source of time irreversibility. As it is now possible to follow accurately fluid particles in a turbulent flow field, both from laboratory experiments and from numerical simulations, a natural question arises: how do we detect time irreversibility from these Lagrangian data? Here we discuss recent results concerning this problem. For Lagrangian statistics involving more than one fluid particle, the distance between fluid particles introduces an intrinsic length scale into the problem. The evolution of quantities dependent on the relative motion between these fluid particles, including the kinetic energy in the relative motion, or the configuration of an initially isotropic structure can be related to the equal-time correlation functions of the velocity field, and is therefore sensitive to the energy flux through scales, hence to the irreversibility of the flow. In contrast, for singleparticle Lagrangian statistics, the most often studied velocity structure functions cannot distinguish the "arrow of time". Recent observations from experimental and numerical simulation data, however, show that the change of kinetic energy following the particle motion, is sensitive to time-reversal. We end the survey with a brief discussion of the implication of this line of work.     

旋翼尾流时空发展二维速度场的实验研究

旋翼作为直升机的主要升力和操纵部件, 具有复杂的流场结构, 如非定常性, 桨-涡干扰和桨尖涡等, 导致旋翼流场研究十分困难. 针对这一问题, 结合锁相技术和粒子图像测速(particle image velocimetry, PIV)技术开展了悬停状态下旋翼流场的实验研究, 并通过本征正交分解(proper orthogonal decomposition, POD)提取主要含能模态, 刻画流场时空演化. 结果显示, 旋翼尾流发展过程中向旋转轴靠近, 二维流场结构呈现倒三角结构, 即扩展到三维流动中会呈现倒锥型结构的特性; 通过POD进行含能模态分析, 旋翼尾流中对湍动能贡献最大的为桨叶涡结构, 其次是桨尖涡结构.      

高聚物减阻溶液对壁湍流输运过程的影响

基于相同雷诺数下清水和高分子聚合物溶液壁湍流的高时间分辨率粒子图像测速技术(time-resolved particle image velocimetry, TRPIV)的对比实验, 从高聚物溶液对湍流边界层动量能量输运影响的角度分析其减阻的机理. 对比两者的雷诺应力发现高聚物的存在抑制了湍流输运过程. 这一影响与高聚物对壁湍流中占主导地位的涡旋运动和低速条带等相干结构的作用密切相关. 运用条件相位平均、相关函数和线性随机估计(linear stochastic estimation, LSE)等方法, 分析提取了高聚物溶液流场中的发卡涡和发卡涡包等典型相干结构的空间拓扑形态. 相比于清水, 高聚物溶液中相干结构的流向尺度增大, 涡旋运动的发展及低速流体喷射的强度受到削弱, 表明了添加的高聚物阻碍了湍流原有的能量传递和自维持的机理. 正是通过影响相干结构, 高聚物抑制了湍流边界层中近壁区与外区之间的动量和能量输运, 使得湍流的无序性降低, 从而减小了湍流流动的阻力.