Energy Redistribution Between the Mean and Pulsating Flow Field in a Separated Flow Region

2014 ◽  
Vol 136 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharul S. Dol ◽  
M. Mehdi Salek ◽  
Robert J. Martinuzzi

One of the main features of the backward-facing step (BFS) low frequency pulsatile flow is the unsteadiness due to the convection of vortical (coherent) structures, which characterize the flow dynamics in the shear layer. The physics of the flow field is analyzed by looking at energy redistribution between the mean and pulsating flow field obtained via a particle image velocimeter (PIV) using the concept of a triple decomposition. The total fluctuating kinetic budget is calculated and discussed for a mean Reynolds number of 100 and for 0.035 ≤ St ≤ 2.19. The effects that these coherent structures have on the fluctuating kinetic energy production, dissipation, and transport mechanism are examined. The results provide insight into the physics of the flow and suggest reasons for vortex growth and decay. Fluctuating kinetic energy is generally produced at the separated shear layers and transported towards the core flow and then to the upper and lower walls where viscosity dissipates the energy. The remaining energy is transported streamwise and decays as it is convected downstream (St = 0.4 and 1 cases). It was also found that the pressure-velocity correlation diffusion plays a significant role in the transport of kinetic energy and Reynolds stresses, especially in the separated shear layer. More energy was dissipated at the walls for the high Strouhal number case St = 2.19 due to the transverse pressure diffusion term being increasingly dominant. This could be the reason why the convected primary vortices were much smaller in size and weaker with no upper wall vortices formed at this pulsation Strouhal number. The shear production for St = 0.035 was very minimal; thus, the vortices died down quickly even before the shedding could happen. Finally, the pressure-strain correlation term was found to be significant in redistributing the kinetic energy from u-component to v-component.

In this problem a mean turbulent shear layer originally exists, homogeneous in the streamwise direction, formed perhaps by previous instabilities, but in equilibrium with the fine-grained turbulence. At a given time, a large eddy of a fixed horizontal wavenumber is initiated. We study the subsequent time development of the non-equilibrium interactions between the three components of flow as they adjust towards ultimate simultaneous equilibrium, using the integrated energy-balance conservation equations to derive the amplitude equations. This necessarily involves the usual averaging procedure and a conditional or phase-averaging procedure by which the large structure motion is educed from the total fluctuations. In general, the mean flow growth is due to the energy transfer to both fluctuating components, the large eddy gains energy from the mean motion and exchanges energy with the fine-grained turbulence, while the fine-grained turbulence gains energy from the mean flow and exchanges with the large eddy and converts its energy to heat through viscous dissipation of the smallest scales. The closure problem is obtained via the shape assumptions which enter into the interaction integrals. The situation in which the fine-grained turbulent kinetic energy production and viscous dissipation are in local balance is considered, the displacement from equilibrium being due only to the energy transfer from the large eddy. The large eddy shape is taken to be two-dimensional, instability-wavelike, with its vorticity axis perpendicular to the direction of the mean outer stream. Prior to averaging, detailed but approximate calculations of the wave-induced turbulent Reynolds stresses are obtained; the product of these stresses with the appropriate large-eddy rates of strain give the energy transfer mechanism between the two disparate scales of fluctuations. Coupled, nonlinear amplitude or energy density equations for the three components of motion are obtained, the coefficients of which are the interaction integrals guided by the shape assumptions. It is found that for the special case of parallel flow, the energy of the large eddy first undergoes a hydrodynamic-instability type of amplification but eventually decays due to the energy transfer to the fine-grained turbulence, while the turbulent kinetic energy is displaced from an original level of equilibrium to a new one because of the ability of the large eddy to negotiate an indirect energy transfer from the mean flow. For the growing shear layer, approximate considerations show that if the mechanism of energy transfer from the large to the small scale is eventually weakened by the shear layer growth compared to the large-eddy production mechanism so that the amplification and decay process repeats, ‘bursts’ of the remnant of the same large eddy will occur repeatedly until an ultimate equilibrium is reached among the three interacting components of motion. However, for the large eddy whose wavenumber corresponds to that of the initially most amplified case, the ‘bursting’ phenomenon is much less pronounced and equilibrium is very nearly reached at the end of the very first ‘burst’.


2012 ◽  
Vol 712 ◽  
pp. 92-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiarong Hong ◽  
Joseph Katz ◽  
Charles Meneveau ◽  
Michael P. Schultz

AbstractThis paper focuses on turbulence structure in a fully developed rough-wall channel flow and its role in subgrid-scale (SGS) energy transfer. Our previous work has shown that eddies of scale comparable to the roughness elements are generated near the wall, and are lifted up rapidly by large-scale coherent structures to flood the flow field well above the roughness sublayer. Utilizing high-resolution and time-resolved particle-image-velocimetry datasets obtained in an optically index-matched facility, we decompose the turbulence into large (${\gt }\lambda $), intermediate ($3\text{{\ndash}} 6k$), roughness ($1\text{{\ndash}} 3k$) and small (${\lt }k$) scales, where $k$ and $\lambda (\lambda / k= 6. 8)$ are roughness height and wavelength, respectively. With decreasing distance from the wall, there is a marked increase in the ‘non-local’ SGS energy flux directly from large to small scales and in the fraction of turbulence dissipated by roughness-scale eddies. Conditional averaging is used to show that a small fraction of the flow volume (e.g. 5 %), which contains the most intense SGS energy transfer events, is responsible for a substantial fraction (50 %) of the energy flux from resolved to subgrid scales. In streamwise wall-normal ($x\text{{\ndash}} y$) planes, the averaged flow structure conditioned on high SGS energy flux exhibits a large inclined shear layer containing negative vorticity, bounded by an ejection below and a sweep above. Near the wall the sweep is dominant, while in the outer layer the ejection is stronger. The peaks of SGS flux and kinetic energy within the inclined layer are spatially displaced from the region of high resolved turbulent kinetic energy. Accordingly, some of the highest correlations occur between spatially displaced resolved velocity gradients and SGS stresses. In wall-parallel $x\text{{\ndash}} z$ planes, the conditional flow field exhibits two pairs of counter-rotating vortices that induce a contracting flow at the peak of SGS flux. Instantaneous realizations in the roughness sublayer show the presence of the counter-rotating vortex pairs at the intersection of two vortex trains, each containing multiple $\lambda $-spaced vortices of the same sign. In the outer layer, the SGS flux peaks within isolated vortex trains that retain the roughness signature, and the distinct pattern of two counter-rotating vortex pairs disappears. To explain the planar signatures, we propose a flow consisting of U-shaped quasi-streamwise vortices that develop as spanwise vorticity is stretched in regions of high streamwise velocity between roughness elements. Flow induced by adjacent legs of the U-shaped structures causes powerful ejections, which lift these vortices away from the wall. As a sweep is transported downstream, its interaction with the roughness generates a series of such events, leading to the formation of inclined vortex trains.


1995 ◽  
Vol 301 ◽  
pp. 203-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moshe Rosenfeld

The flow field behind a constricted channel is studied numerically. A pulsating incoming flow with a non-vanishing mean is imposed at the entrance and the flow field is investigated for a wide range of Reynolds and Strouhal numbers (1500 > Re > 45, 12 > St > 0.01). In most cases (except at the two ends of the Strouhal number regime or for Re < 90), propagating vortices are found downstream of the constriction with a wavy core flow between them. The size and number of coexisting vortices depend on St but less on Re. The strength and structure of the vortical regions depend on both Re and St. The formation of the vortices is discussed for the various St regimes and the characteristics of the vortical flow are described.


1994 ◽  
Vol 116 (2) ◽  
pp. 238-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Acharya ◽  
S. Dutta ◽  
T. A. Myrum ◽  
R. S. Baker

The ability of the nonlinear k–ε turbulence model to predict the flow in a separated duct flow past a wall-mounted, two-dimensional rib was assessed through comparisons with the standard k–ε model and experimental results. Improved predictions of the streamwise turbulence intensity and the mean streamwise velocities near the high-speed edge of the separated shear layer and in the flow downstream of reattachment were obtained with the nonlinear model. More realistic predictions of the production and dissipation of the turbulent kinetic energy near reattachment were also obtained. Otherwise, the performance of the two models was comparable, with both models performing quite well in the core flow regions and close to reattachment and both models performing poorly in the separated and shear-layer regions close to the rib.


1985 ◽  
Vol 152 ◽  
pp. 83-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. B. M. Q. Zaman

The phenomena of excitation-induced suppression and amplification of broadband jet noise have been experimentally investigated in an effort to understand the mechanisms, especially in relation to the near flow-field large-scale structure dynamics. Suppression is found to occur only in jets at low speeds with laminar exit boundary layers, the optimum occurring for excitation at Stθ ≈ 0.017, where Stθ is the Strouhal number based on the initial shear-layer momentum thickness. The suppression mechanism is linked to an initial-condition effect on the large-scale structure dynamics. The interaction and evolution of laminar-like structures at low jet speeds produce more (normalized) noise and turbulence, compared to asymptotically lower levels at high speeds when the initial shear layer is no longer laminar. The effect of initial condition has been demonstrated by tripped versus untripped jet data. The excitation at Stθ ≈ 0.017 results in a quick roll-up and transition of the laminar shear-layer vortices, yielding coherent structures which are similar to those at high speeds. Thus, the broadband noise and turbulence are suppressed, but at the most to the asymptotically lower levels. When at the asymptotic level, the broadband jet noise can only be amplified by the excitation; the amplification is found to be maximum for excitation in the StD range of 0.65–0.85, StD being the Strouhal number based on the jet diameter. Excitation in this StD range also produces strongest vortexpairing activity. From spectral analysis of the flow-field and the near sound-pressure field, it is inferred that the pairing process induced by the excitation is at the origin of the broadband noise amplification.


1982 ◽  
Vol 119 ◽  
pp. 121-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Udo R. Müller

An experimental study of a steady, incompressible, three-dimensional turbulent boundary layer approaching separation is reported. The flow field external to the boundary layer was deflected laterally by turning vanes so that streamwise flow deceleration occurred simultaneous with cross-flow acceleration. At 21 stations profiles of the mean-velocity components and of the six Reynolds stresses were measured with single- and X-hot-wire probes, which were rotatable around their longitudinal axes. The calibration of the hot wires with respect to magnitude and direction of the velocity vector as well as the method of evaluating the Reynolds stresses from the measured data are described in a separate paper (Müller 1982, hereinafter referred to as II). At each measuring station the wall shear stress was inferred from a Preston-tube measurement as well as from a Clauser chart. With the measured profiles of the mean velocities and of the Reynolds stresses several assumptions used for turbulence modelling were checked for their validity in this flow. For example, eddy viscosities for both tangential directions and the corresponding mixing lengths as well as the ratio of resultant turbulent shear stress to turbulent kinetic energy were derived from the data.


2008 ◽  
Vol 606 ◽  
pp. 27-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. ALBAYRAK ◽  
E. J. HOPFINGER ◽  
U. LEMMIN

Experimental results are presented of the mean flow and turbulence characteristics in the near field of a plane wall jet issuing from a nozzle onto flat and concave walls consisting of fixed sand beds. This is a flow configuration of interest for sediment erosion, also referred to as scouring. The measurements were made with an acoustic profiler that gives access to the three components of the instantaneous velocities. For the flat-wall flow, it is shown that the outer-layer spatial growth rate and the maxima of the Reynolds stresses approach the values accepted for the far field of a wall jet at a downstream distance x/b0 ≈ 8. These maxima are only about half the values of a plane free jet. This reduction in Reynolds stresses is also observed in the shear-layer region, x/b0 < 6, where the Reynolds shear stress is about half the value of a free shear layer. At distances x/b0 > 11, the maximum Reynolds shear stress approaches the value of a plane free jet. This change in Reynolds stresses is related to the mean vertical velocity that is negative for x/b0 < 8 and positive further downstream. The evolution of the inner region of the wall jet is found to be in good agreement with a previous model that explicitly includes the roughness length.On the concave wall, the mean flow and the Reynolds stresses are drastically changed by the adverse pressure gradient and especially by the development of Görtler vortices. On the downslope side of the scour hole, the flow is nearly separating with the wall shear stress tending to zero, whereas on the upslope side, the wall-friction coefficient is increased by a factor of about two by Görtler vortices. These vortices extend well into the outer layer and, just above the wall, cause a substantial increase in Reynolds shear stress.


The nonlinear evolution of weakly amplified waves in a hyperbolic tangent free shear layer is described for spatially and temporally growing waves when the shear layer Reynolds number is large and the critical layer viscous. An artificial body force is introduced in order to keep the mean flow parallel. Jump conditions on the perturbation velocity and mean vorticity are derived across the critical layer by applying the method of matched asymptotic expansions and it is shown that viscous effects outside the critical layer have to be taken into account in order to obtain a uniformly valid solution. Consequently the true neutral wavenumber and frequency are lower than their inviscid counterparts. When only the harmonic fluctuations are considered, it is known that the Landau constant is negative so that linearly amplified disturbances reach an equilibrium amplitude. It is shown that when the mean flow distortion generated by Reynolds stresses is also included, the Landau constant becomes positive. Thus, in both the spatial and temporal case, linearly amplified waves are further destabilized and damped waves are unstable above a threshold amplitude.


2001 ◽  
Vol 123 (2) ◽  
pp. 228-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francois Schmitt ◽  
Birinchi K. Hazarika ◽  
Charles Hirsch

A database for the complex turbulent flow of a confined double annular burner in cold conditions is presented here. In the region close to the exit of the annular nozzles LDV measurements at 5515 grid points in the meridional plane were conducted. At each measurement position, validated data for 3000–16,000 particles were recorded, and the mean axial and radial velocities, axial and radial turbulence intensity and Reynolds stresses were computed. The resulting mean flow field is axisymmetric within an uncertainty of 2 percent. The contour plots of turbulent quantities on the fine grid, as well as the streamlines based on the mean flow field, are presented for the flow.


Author(s):  
G. D. MacIsaac ◽  
S. A. Sjolander ◽  
T. J. Praisner

Experimental measurements of the mean and turbulent flow field were preformed downstream of a low-speed linear turbine cascade. The influence of turbulence on the production of secondary losses is examined. Steady pressure measurements were collected using a seven-hole pressure probe and the turbulent flow quantities were measured using a rotatable x-type hotwire probe. Each probe was traversed downstream of the cascade along planes positioned at three axial locations: 100%, 120% and 140% of the axial chord (Cx) downstream of the leading edge. The seven-hole pressure probe was used to determine the local total and static pressure as well as the three mean velocity components. The rotatable x-type hotwire probe, in addition to the mean velocity components, provided the local Reynolds stresses and the turbulent kinetic energy. The axial development of the secondary losses is examined in relation to the rate at which mean kinetic energy is transferred to turbulent kinetic energy. In general, losses are generated as a result of the mean flow dissipating kinetic energy through the action of viscosity. The production of turbulence can be considered a preliminary step in this process. The measured total pressure contours from the three axial locations (1.00, 1.20 and 1.40Cx) demonstrate the development of the secondary losses. The peak loss core in each plane consists mainly of low momentum fluid that originates from the inlet endwall boundary layer. There are, however, additional losses generated as the flow mixes with downstream distance. These losses have been found to relate to the turbulent Reynolds stresses. An examination of the turbulent deformation work term demonstrates a mechanism of loss generation in the secondary flow region. The importance of the Reynolds shear stress to this process is explored in detail.


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