Investigation of the Effect of Inlet Turbulence and Reynolds Number on Developing Duct Flow

2018 ◽  
Vol 141 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Burak A. Tuna ◽  
Serhiy Yarusevych ◽  
Xianguo Li ◽  
Yi Ren ◽  
Fanghui Shi
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Shear Layer ◽  
Turbulence Intensity ◽  
Substantial Effect ◽  
Layer Growth ◽  
Transition To Turbulence ◽  
Duct Flow ◽  
Layer Interaction ◽  
Laminar To Turbulent Transition

This study investigates experimentally the effects of upstream flow conditions and Reynolds number on a developing duct flow. Particle image velocimetry (PIV) and hot-wire (HW) anemometry are employed to explore the flow dynamics in a rectangular duct with an aspect ratio of 2 and a length of 40 hydraulic diameters (Dh). Experiments are employed for two Reynolds numbers, ReDh = 17,750 and 35,500 where the inlet turbulence intensity is controlled using different turbulence grids. The results show that the inlet turbulence intensity and Reynolds number have a substantial effect on the flow evolution, the onset of shear layer interaction zone, and the subsequent relaxation to the fully developed flow. The main effect is linked to the development of the boundary layer, as the turbulence intensity decays rapidly in the core flow. The detailed analysis indicates that transition to turbulence advances upstream as the inlet turbulence intensity is increased, leading to an earlier onset of shear layer interaction and the decrease in entrance length. A similar upstream advancement of laminar-to-turbulent transition is induced as the Reynolds number is increased. However, a delay in the onset of shear layer interaction regime is observed at higher Reynolds number due to lower overall boundary layer growth rate. Thus, the focus of the analysis characterization of the boundary layer development and quantification of the associated changes in the duct flow development.

Numerical investigation of the role of free-stream turbulence in boundary-layer separation

2016 ◽  
Vol 801 ◽  
pp. 289-321 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wolfgang Balzer ◽  
H. F. Fasel
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Shear Layer ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Hydrodynamic Instability ◽  
Low Reynolds Number ◽  
Transition To Turbulence ◽  
Laminar Separation ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
Low Reynolds

The aerodynamic performance of lifting surfaces operating at low Reynolds number conditions is impaired by laminar separation. In most cases, transition to turbulence occurs in the separated shear layer as a result of a series of strong hydrodynamic instability mechanisms. Although the understanding of these mechanisms has been significantly advanced over the past decades, key questions remain unanswered about the influence of external factors such as free-stream turbulence (FST) and others on transition and separation. The present study is driven by the need for more accurate predictions of separation and transition phenomena in ‘real world’ applications, where elevated levels of FST can play a significant role (e.g. turbomachinery). Numerical investigations have become an integral part in the effort to enhance our understanding of the intricate interactions between separation and transition. Due to the development of advanced numerical methods and the increase in the performance of supercomputers with parallel architecture, it has become feasible for low Reynolds number application ($O(10^{5})$) to carry out direct numerical simulations (DNS) such that all relevant spatial and temporal scales are resolved without the use of turbulence modelling. Because the employed high-order accurate DNS are characterized by very low levels of background noise, they lend themselves to transition research where the amplification of small disturbances, sometimes even growing from numerical round-off, can be examined in great detail. When comparing results from DNS and experiment, however, it is beneficial, if not necessary, to increase the background disturbance levels in the DNS to levels that are typical for the experiment. For the current work, a numerical model that emulates a realistic free-stream turbulent environment was adapted and implemented into an existing Navier–Stokes code based on a vorticity–velocity formulation. The role FST plays in the transition process was then investigated for a laminar separation bubble forming on a flat plate. FST was shown to cause the formation of the well-known Klebanoff mode that is represented by streamwise-elongated streaks inside the boundary layer. Increasing the FST levels led to accelerated transition, a reduction in bubble size and better agreement with the experiments. Moreover, the stage of linear disturbance growth due to the inviscid shear-layer instability was found to not be ‘bypassed’.

Investigation of the Effect of Inlet Turbulence on Transitional Wall-Bounded Flows

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Burak Ahmet Tuna ◽  
Xianguo Li ◽  
Serhiy Yarusevych
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Turbulence Intensity ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Hydraulic Diameter ◽  
Transition To Turbulence ◽  
Duct Flow ◽  
Entrance Length ◽  
Hot Wire ◽  
Boundary Layer Development ◽  
Layer Development

The present work investigates experimentally the effects of grid-generated turbulence on the transition and the hydrodynamic entrance length in a developing duct flow. Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and hot-wire anemometry are used to characterize the flow in a rectangular duct with a length of 1m (∼40Dh) and an aspect ratio of 2 (20mm × 40mm). The inlet turbulence intensity is controlled using different grids, and experiments are performed for a Reynolds number based on hydraulic diameter ReDh = 17,750. Hot-wire and PIV results show that the inlet turbulence intensity has a substantial effect on the flow evolution in the duct, as it substantially changes the boundary layer characteristics in the hydrodynamic entrance region. Analysis shows that, as expected, transition to turbulence advances upstream as the inlet turbulence intensity increases, leading to the decrease in the entrance length. The primary effect is confined to boundary layer development, as the turbulence intensity decays rapidly in the core flow, becoming independent of the initial conditions after about 10 hydraulic diameter (Dh) downstream from the grid. Thus, the analysis is focused on characterizing the boundary layer development and quantifying the associated changes in the flow development along the duct.

Impingement Cooling Flow and Heat Transfer Under Acoustic Excitations

1997 ◽  
Vol 119 (4) ◽  
pp. 810-817 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Gau ◽  
W. Y. Sheu ◽  
C. H. Shen
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Shear Layer ◽  
Turbulence Intensity ◽  
Pressure Level ◽  
Unstable Wave ◽  
Impingement Cooling ◽  
Cooling Flow ◽  
Acoustic Excitations ◽  
Excitation Pressure

Experiments are performed to study (a) slot air jet impingement cooling flow and (b) the heat transfer under acoustic excitations. Both flow visualization and spectral energy evolution measurements along the shear layer are made. The acoustic excitation at either inherent or noninherent frequencies can make the upstream shift for both the most unstable waves and the resulting vortex formation and its subsequent pairing processes. At inherent frequencies the most unstable wave can be amplified, which increases the turbulence intensity in both the shear layer and the core and enhances the heat transfer. Both the turbulence intensity and the heat transfer increase with increasing excitation pressure levels Spl until partial breakdown of the vortex occurs. At noninherent frequencies, however, the most unstable wave can be suppressed, which reduces the turbulence intensity and decreases the heat transfer. Both the turbulence intensity and the heat transfer decreases with increasing Spl, but increases with increasing Spl when the excitation frequency becomes dominant. For excitation at high Reynolds number with either inherent or noninherent frequency, a greater excitation pressure level is needed to cause the enhancement or the reduction in heat transfer. During the experiments, the inherent frequencies selected for excitation are Fo/2 and Fo/4, the noninherent frequencies are 0.71 Fo, 0.75 Fo, and 0.8 Fo, the acoustic pressure level varies from 70 dB to 100 dB, and the Reynolds number varies from 5500 to 22,000.

Characterization of the Custom-Designed, High Reynolds Number Water Tunnel

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasaman Farsiani ◽  
Brian R. Elbing
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Test Section ◽  
High Reynolds Number ◽  
Layer Growth ◽  
Water Tunnel ◽  
Freestream Velocity ◽  
Section Design ◽  
High Reynolds

This paper reports on the characterization of the custom-designed high-Reynolds number recirculating water tunnel located at Oklahoma State University. The characterization includes the verification of the test section design, pump calibration and the velocity distribution within the test section. This includes an assessment of the boundary layer growth within the test section. The tunnel was designed to achieve a downstream distance based Reynolds number of 10 million, provide optical access for flow visualization and minimize inlet flow non-uniformity. The test section is 1 m long with 15.2 cm (6-inch) square cross section and acrylic walls to allow direct line of sight at the tunnel walls. The verification of the test section design was accomplished by comparing the flow quality at different location downstream of the flow inlet. The pump was calibrated with the freestream velocity with three pump frequencies and velocity profiles were measured at defined locations for three pump speeds. Boundary layer thicknesses were measured from velocity profile results and compared with analytical calculations. These measurements were also compared against the facility design calculations.

Shear Layer Development, Separation, and Stability Over a Low-Reynolds Number Airfoil

2018 ◽  
Vol 140 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Ziadé ◽  
Mark A. Feero ◽  
Philippe Lavoie ◽  
Pierre E. Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Shear Layer ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Low Reynolds Number ◽  
Base Flow ◽  
Mean Velocity ◽  
Laminar Separation ◽  
Low Reynolds ◽  
Layer Development

The shear layer development for a NACA 0025 airfoil at a low Reynolds number was investigated experimentally and numerically using large eddy simulation (LES). Two angles of attack (AOAs) were considered: 5 deg and 12 deg. Experiments and numerics confirm that two flow regimes are present. The first regime, present for an angle-of-attack of 5 deg, exhibits boundary layer reattachment with formation of a laminar separation bubble. The second regime consists of boundary layer separation without reattachment. Linear stability analysis (LSA) of mean velocity profiles is shown to provide adequate agreement between measured and computed growth rates. The stability equations exhibit significant sensitivity to variations in the base flow. This highlights that caution must be applied when experimental or computational uncertainties are present, particularly when performing comparisons. LSA suggests that the first regime is characterized by high frequency instabilities with low spatial growth, whereas the second regime experiences low frequency instabilities with more rapid growth. Spectral analysis confirms the dominance of a central frequency in the laminar separation region of the shear layer, and the importance of nonlinear interactions with harmonics in the transition process.

scholarly journals Some hypersonic intake studies

2006 ◽  
Vol 110 (1105) ◽  
pp. 145-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Lanson ◽  
J. L. Stollery
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Layer Growth ◽  
Isentropic Compression ◽  
Number Range ◽  
Principal Influence ◽  
Reynolds Number Range ◽  
Air Intake ◽  
Starting Process ◽  
Intake Flow

Abstract A ‘two dimensional’ air intake comprising a wedge followed by an isentropic compression has been tested in the Cranfield Gun Tunnel at Mach 8·2. These tests were performed to investigate qualitatively the intake flow starting process. The effects of cowl position, Reynolds number, boundary-layer trip and introduction of a small restriction in the intake duct were investigated. Schlieren pictures of the flow on the compression surface and around the intake entrance were taken. Results showed that the intake would operate over the Reynolds number range tested. Tests with a laminar boundary layer demonstrated the principal influence of the Reynolds number on the boundary-layer growth and consequently on the flow structure in the intake entrance. In contrast boundary layer tripping produced little variation in flow pattern over the Reynolds number range tested. The cowl lip position appeared to have a strong effect on the intake performance. The only parameter which prevented the intake from starting was the introduction of a restriction in the intake duct. The experimental data obtained were in good qualitative agreement with the CFD predictions. Finally, these experimental results indicated a good intake flow starting process over multiple changes of parameters.

The Suppression of Shear Layer Turbulence in Rotating Systems

1973 ◽  
Vol 95 (2) ◽  
pp. 229-235 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. P. Johnston
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Reynolds Number ◽  
High Reynolds Number ◽  
Transition To Turbulence ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Simple Method ◽  
Coriolis Forces ◽  
Rotating Systems ◽  
Two Dimensional Flow ◽  
High Reynolds

Stabilization of turbulent boundary layer type flows by the action of Coriolis forces engendered by system rotation is studied. Experiments on fully developed, two-dimensional flow in a long, straight channel that was rotated about an axis perpendicular to the plane of mean shear are reviewed to demonstrate the principal effects of stabilization. In particular, the delay of transition to turbulence on the stabilized side of the channel to high Reynolds number (u¯mh/ν) as the rotation number (|Ω|h/u¯m) is increased is demonstrated. A simple method which utilizes the eddy Reynolds number criterion of Bradshaw, is employed to show that rotation-induced suppression of transition may be predicted for the channel flow case. The applicability of the predictive method to boundary layer type flows is indicated.

Separated Flow Measurements on a Highly Loaded Low-Pressure Turbine Airfoil

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralph J. Volino
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Boundary Layer Separation ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Transition To Turbulence ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Airfoil Surface ◽  
Flow Measurements ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine

Boundary layer separation, transition and reattachment have been studied on a new, very high lift, low-pressure turbine airfoil. Experiments were done under low freestream turbulence conditions on a linear cascade in a low speed wind tunnel. Pressure surveys on the airfoil surface and downstream total pressure loss surveys were documented. Velocity profiles were acquired in the suction side boundary layer at several streamwise locations using hot-wire anemometry. Cases were considered at Reynolds numbers (based on the suction surface length and the nominal exit velocity from the cascade) ranging from 25,000 to 330,000. In all cases the boundary layer separated, but at high Reynolds number the separation bubble remained very thin and quickly reattached after transition to turbulence. In the low Reynolds number cases, the boundary layer separated and did not reattach, even when transition occurred. This behavior contrasts with previous research on other airfoils, in which transition, if it occurred, always induced reattachment, regardless of Reynolds number.

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