Turbulent structure in low-concentration drag-reducing channel flows

1988 ◽  
Vol 190 ◽  
pp. 241-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. S. Luchik ◽  
W. G. Tiederman

A two-component laser-Doppler velocimeter was used to measure simultaneously velocity components parallel and normal to the wall in two fully developed, wellmixed, low-concentration (1-2 p.p.m.) drag-reducing channel flows and one turbulent channel flow of water. The mean velocity profiles, root-mean-square velocity profiles and the distributions of the ūv turbulent correlation confirm that the additives modify the buffer region of the flow. The principal influence of the additives is to damp velocity fluctuations normal to the wall in the buffer region.The structural results show that the average time between bursts increased for the drag-reducing flows. When compared to a water flow at the same wall shear stress, this increase in the timescale was equal to the increase in the average streak spacing. Conditionally averaged velocity signals of y+ = 30 centred on the leading edge of a burst, as well as those centred on the trailing edge, have the same general characteristics in all three flows indicating that the basic structure of the fundamental momentum transport event is the same in these drag-reducing flows. However, it was clearly shown that the lower-threshold Reynolds-stress-producing motions were damped while the higher-threshold motions were not damped. In the buffer region of the drag-reducing flows this yields a larger mean velocity gradient with damped fluctuations normal to the wall and increased fluctuations in the streamwise direction. It is hypothesized that some strong turbulent motions are required to maintain extended polymer molecules, which produce a solution with properties that can damp lower threshold turbulence and thereby reduce viscous drag.

1967 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 253-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. C. Reynolds ◽  
W. G. Tiederman

The Orr-Sommerfeld stability problem has been studied for velocity profiles appropriate to turbulent channel flow. The intent was to provide an evaluation of Malkus's theory that the flow assumes a state of maximum dissipation, subject to certain constraints, one of which is that the mean velocity profile is marginally stable. Dissipation rates and neutral stability curves were obtained for a representative two-parameter family of velocity profiles. Those in agreement with experimental profiles were found to be stable; the marginally stable profile of greatest dissipation was not in good agreement with experiments. An explanation for the apparent success of Malkus's theory is offered.


1988 ◽  
Vol 110 (1) ◽  
pp. 146-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Deutsch ◽  
W. C. Zierke

Using the facility described in Part 1 [23], 11 detailed velocity and turbulence intensity profiles are obtained on the pressure surface of a double circular arc compressor blade in cascade. Two profiles are obtained in the near wake. Laminar boundary layer profiles, which agree well with profiles calculated from Falkner–Skan theory at the local pressure gradient, persist through 57.2 percent chord. The measurements indicate that the onset of transition occurs near 60 percent chord—a value in good agreement with the sublimation flow visualization studies (see Part 1). The lack of a logarithmic region in the data measured at the last chord position (97.9 percent chord) indicates that transition is not complete. The thin laminar boundary layers near the leading edge lead to some measurement problems, which are characterized by large turbulence intensities, in using the laser-Doppler velocimeter (LDV). Close examination of this problem shows that a combination of velocity-gradient broadening and a vibration of the LDV measurement volume causes an elevation of the measured turbulence levels. Fortunately only small errors in mean velocity are introduced. Because of the detached boundary layer on the suction surface, both of the near-wake velocity profiles exhibit regions of backflow. As expected, these near-wake velocity profiles do not exhibit similarity when tested against criteria derived for the far wake.


Author(s):  
Gregory A. Kopp ◽  
Robert J. Martinuzzi

Measurements of the mean velocity vector were conducted to determine the exit angle from an automotive engine cooling fan module. The measurements were made at 15 locations along a radius between the hub and the band. The radius investigated was located in a plane roughly half-way between the blade trailing edge and stator leading edge. A two-component laser Doppler velocimeter and a four-wire hot-wire probe were used to measure the flow fields. It was found that the results obtained from hot-wire anemometry will have significant bias errors when used to measure the velocity vectors between the fan and the stator unless phase-averaged data are obtained with the probe re-oriented by phase. The differences between the techniques occur because the distribution of instantaneous swirl angles is bi-modal. Further, the mean flow angle is close to a local minimum in the probability density function of the swirl angle. This will act to increase errors in measurement devices whose accuracy depends on flow direction (the quantity being measured) such as five-hole probes which are used in industry.


1975 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 369-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. M. Reischman ◽  
W. G. Tiederman

The objective of this study was to make velocity measurements in drag-reducing flows which would be sufficient in scope and accuracy to test proposed models of drag-reducing flows and to yield new information about the mechanisms of drag reduction. Consequently, measurements of the mean and turbulence intensity of the streamwise velocity component were made in fully developed, turbulent, drag-reducing flow in a two-dimensional channel with a laser-Doppler anemometer. The anemometer was operated in the individual-realization mode and corrections were made to eliminate statistical biasing of the data. Two polyacrylamides and a polyethylene oxide were used to produce seven flows which had drag reductions ranging from 24 to 41 %. Measurements were also made in water to establish the standard characteristics of the flow channel.The data show that the drag-reducing mean velocity profile can be divided into three zones: a viscous sublayer, a buffer or interactive region and a logarithmic region. There is no evidence that the viscous sublayers of the drag-reducing channel flows are thicker than those in the solvent flows. In addition the normalized streamwise fluctuations are essentially the same in both the solvent and drag-reducing sublayers. The changes caused by the polymer addition occur in the buffer region. The drag-reducing buffer region is thicker and the velocity profile in the outer flow region adjusts in order to accommodate this buffer-region thickening. The measurements of the streamwise velocity fluctuations also show that the polymer additives redistribute the primary turbulent activity over a broadened buffer region. The normalized magnitude of these fluctuations is, however, considerably lower in these two-dimensional drag-reducing channel flows than in those previously reported by Rudd (1972), Logan (1972) and Kumor & Sylvester (1973). Moreover, the mean velocity profiles in the buffer region do not confirm the hypothesis of Virk, Mickley & Smith (1970) that the data will follow their proposed ‘ultimate profile’ when the drag reduction is less than that given by the maximum asymptote. The mean velocity measurements also show that the proposed methods for predicting the upward shift in the outer portion of the mean velocity profile are inconsistent and lack universality. However, these results do confirm the previous suggestions of Virk (1971), Tomita (1970) and Lumley (1973) that the buffer region is the area of importance and change in drag-reducing flows.


2012 ◽  
Vol 187 ◽  
pp. 315-319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nan Huo Wu ◽  
You Hong Tang ◽  
Cheng Bi Zhao ◽  
Wei Lin ◽  
Xiao Ming Chen ◽  
...  

Fully developed turbulent channel flow with a blade riblet surface has been simulated numerically at Reynolds number by Large Eddy Simulations (LES). The blade riblet is shown to provide a total viscous drag reduction approximately 9% with the riblet spacing and the cross section . For the sake of investigating the interaction of the turbulent flow with riblets, the mean velocity profiles, velocity fluctuations, and instantaneous flow visualization have been analyzed. It has been found that the riblet of certain size reduces drag by damping the dynamics and weakening the cross motions in the near-wall boundary layer, revealing beneficial turbulence controlling.


1969 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Badri Narayanan ◽  
V. Ramjee

Experiments on reverse transition were conducted in two-dimensional accelerated incompressible turbulent boundary layers. Mean velocity profiles, longitudinal velocity fluctuations $\tilde{u}^{\prime}(=(\overline{u^{\prime 2}})^{\frac{1}{2}})$ and the wall-shearing stress (TW) were measured. The mean velocity profiles show that the wall region adjusts itself to laminar conditions earlier than the outer region. During the reverse transition process, increases in the shape parameter (H) are accompanied by a decrease in the skin friction coefficient (Cf). Profiles of turbulent intensity (u’2) exhibit near similarity in the turbulence decay region. The breakdown of the law of the wall is characterized by the parameter \[ \Delta_p (=\nu[dP/dx]/\rho U^{*3}) = - 0.02, \] where U* is the friction velocity. Downstream of this region the decay of $\tilde{u}^{\prime}$ fluctuations occurred when the momentum thickness Reynolds number (R) decreased roughly below 400.


Author(s):  
Y Wu ◽  
X Zhu ◽  
Z Du

A developed plate stator model with and without trailing edge blowing (TEB) is studied using experimental methods. Wake characteristics of flow over the stator in the three-dimensional wake regimes are studied using hot-wire anemometry (HWA) and particle image velocimetry (PIV) techniques. First, the mean velocity profiles have been measured in the wake of the stator using HWA. Four wake characteristics have been obtained through momentum thickness judgments: pure wake, weak wake, momentumless wake, and jet. These velocity profiles show some differences in momentum deficit for the four cases. Then, the velocity spectra of the pure wake and momentumless wake obtained through the HWA measurements showed that TEB can eliminate the shedding vortex of the stator. Characteristic length scales based on the wake turbulent intensity profiles showed that the momentumless wake can reduce the wake width and depth. PIV measurement is carried out to measure the flow field of the four wakes. Finally, the application of TEB approaching momentumless wake status is used on an industrial ventilation low-pressure axial fan to assess noise reduction. The results show that TEB can make the outlet of the stator uniform, reduce velocity fluctuation, destroy the vorticity structure downstream of the stator, and reduce interaction noise level of the stator and rotor.


2011 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 233-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenna Brown ◽  
Chris Tuggle ◽  
Jamie MacMahan ◽  
Ad Reniers

1987 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clifford J. Obara ◽  
C. P. van Dam

In this paper, foil and planform parameters which govern the level of viscous drag produced by the keel of a sailing yacht are discussed. It is shown that the application of laminar boundary-Layer flow offers great potential for increased boat speed resulting from the reduction in viscous drag. Three foil shapes have been designed and it is shown that their hydro­dynamic characteristics are very much dependent on location and mode of boundary-Layer transition. The planform parameter which strongly affects the capabilities of the keel to achieve laminar flow is lea ding-edge sweep angle. The two significant phenomena related to keel sweep angle which can cause premature transition of the laminar boundary layer are crossflow instability and turbulent contamination of the leading-edge attachment line. These flow phenomena and methods to control them are discussed in detail. The remaining factors that affect the maintainability of laminar flow include surface roughness, surface waviness, and freestream turbulence. Recommended limits for these factors are given to insure achievability of laminar flow on the keel. In addition, the application of a simple trailing-edge flap to improve the hydrodynamic characteristics of a foil at moderate-to-high leeway angles is studied.


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