Vortex Detection and Characterization in Low Reynolds Number Separation

Author(s):  
Daniel R. Morse ◽  
James A. Liburdy

This study focuses on the detection and characterization of vortices in low Reynolds number separation flow over the elliptical leading edge of a flat plate airfoil. Velocity fields were obtained using Time Resolved Particle Image Velocimetry (TRPIV). The Reynolds number based on chord length ranged from 14,700 to 66,700. Experiments were performed for velocities of 1.1, 2.0 and 5.0 m/s and angles of attack of 14°, 16°, 18° and 20°. These velocities correspond to chord length Reynolds numbers of 1.47×104, 2.68×104, and 6.70×104, respectively. A local swirl calculation was used to determine regions of high circulation, and the convection of the centers of these regions was used to determine convective velocities of these vortical structures. The streamwise convective velocity normalized by the freestream velocity is observed to range from approximately 0.4 to 0.65 over the range of angles of attack, with slightly increasing values as the angle of attack increases.

Author(s):  
Toyotaka Sonoda ◽  
Rainer Schnell ◽  
Toshiyuki Arima ◽  
Giles Endicott ◽  
Eberhard Nicke

In this paper, Reynolds effects on a modern transonic low-aspect-ratio fan rotor (Baseline) and the re-designed (optimized) rotor performance are presented with application to a small turbofan engine. The re-design has been done using an in-house numerical optimization system in Honda and the confirmation of the performance was carried out using DLR’s TRACE RANS stage code, assessed with respect to experimental data obtained from a small scale compressor rig in Honda. The baseline rotor performance is evaluated at two Reynolds number conditions, a high Reynolds condition (corresponding to a full engine scale size) and a low Reynolds number condition (corresponding to the small scale compressor rig size), using standard ISA conditions. The performance of the optimized rotor was evaluated at the low Reynolds number condition. The CFD results show significant discrepancies in the rotor efficiency (about 1% at cruise) between these two points due to the different Reynolds numbers. The optimized rotor’s efficiency is increased compared to the baseline. A unique negative curvature region close to the leading edge on the pressure surface of the optimized rotor is one of the reasons why the optimized rotor is superior to the baseline.


2016 ◽  
Vol 120 (1228) ◽  
pp. 971-983 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Moreau ◽  
C. J. Doolan

ABSTRACTThe flow and noise created by sawtooth trailing-edge serrations has been studied experimentally at a low Reynolds number. Experiments have been performed on a flat-plate model with an elliptical leading edge and an asymmetrically bevelled trailing edge at Reynolds numbers of Rec = 1 × 105–1.3 × 105, based on chord. Wide serrations with a wavelength (λs) to amplitude (2h) ratio of λs/h = 0.6 were found to reduce the overall sound pressure level by up to 11dB. In contrast, narrower serrations with λs/h = 0.2 produce tonal noise and increase the overall noise level by up to 4dB. Intense vortices across the span of the trailing edge with narrow serrations are shown to be the source of tonal noise. Wide serrations reduce turbulent velocity fluctuations at low frequencies which explains the lower radiated noise. The narrow serrations that produce low Reynolds number tonal noise were shown previously to be effective at higher Reynolds numbers (Rec > 2 × 105), demonstrating that care is needed to fully understand the flow field over serrations for all intended operating conditions.


Author(s):  
Afua A. Ampadu-Mintah ◽  
Mark F. Tachie

Low Reynolds number effects on turbulent flows over a backward facing step (BFS) in an open channel were investigated. The Reynolds numbers based on momentum thickness (θ) and step height (h) are in the range 590 ≤ Reθ ≤ 1950 and 950 ≤ Reh ≤ 2900, respectively. The Froude number based on the approach water depth and freestream velocity varied from 0.12 to 0.37. A particle image velocimetry technique was used to measure the velocity field. The flow patterns in the reattachment and redevelopment regions are qualitatively similar for all the three Reynolds numbers studied. The mean velocity profiles in outer coordinates do not exhibit significant Reynolds number effects downstream of the BFS. On the contrary, the turbulence intensities and Reynolds shear stress do not show Reynolds number similarity. As expected, similarity with the upstream profile improves with increasing streamwise distance from the reattachment point. Data obtained in this study were also compared with previous measurements made over backward facing step in a closed channel to study free surface effects. The results showed that deviation of flow over BFS in open channel from flow over BFS in a closed channel is more significant in the immediate vicinity of the step.


Author(s):  
Daniel R. Morse ◽  
James A. Liburdy

This study examines the generation of large scale vortices caused by flow separation from a flat wing at various angles of attack. Time-resolved particle image velocimetry is used to determine the evolution and convective characteristics of the large scale structures. A rectangular airfoil with aspect ratio of 0.5 is used and data are collected at a Reynolds number of 23,500, for angles of attack from 0° to 20°. Data consists of two dimensional velocity fields obtained at 500 Hz located at the airfoil centerline. The region of interest is near the separation point but fields of view extend over approximately one half of the chord length from the leading edge to document the downstream progression of the large scale vortical flow elements. The velocity data were processed to identify the vorticity field dynamics in terms of the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability occurring near the leading edge. The vortical structures are identified using vortex detection based on local circulation. The convective nature of the vortex elements are shown to consist of merging, stalling and convecting, with convective velocities on the order of 20% of the freestream velocity with an associated Stouhal number based on chord length and freestream velocity of approximately 1.0.


Author(s):  
Hauke Ehlers ◽  
Robert Konrath ◽  
Marcel Börner ◽  
Ralf Wokoeck ◽  
Rolf Radespiel

2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miles Greiner ◽  
Paul F. Fischer ◽  
Henry Tufo

Abstract The effect of flow rate modulation on low Reynolds number heat transfer enhancement in a transversely grooved passage was numerically simulated using a two-dimensional spectral element technique. Simulations were performed at subcritical Reynolds numbers of Rem = 133 and 267, with 20% and 40% flow rate oscillations. The net pumping power required to modulate the flow was minimized as the forcing frequency approached the predicted natural frequency. However, mixing and heat transfer levels both increased as the natural frequency was approached. Oscillatory forcing in a grooved passage requires two orders of magnitude less pumping power than flat passage systems for the same heat transfer level. Hydrodynamic resonance appears to be an effective method of increasing heat transfer in low Reynolds number systems where pumping power is at a premium, such as micro heat transfer applications.


2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ajit Pal Singh ◽  
S. H. Winoto ◽  
D. A. Shah ◽  
K. G. Lim ◽  
Robert E. K. Goh

Abstract Performance characteristics of some low Reynolds number airfoils for the use in micro air vehicles (MAVs) are computationally studied using XFOIL at a Reynolds number of 80,000. XFOIL, which is based on linear-vorticity stream function panel method coupled with a viscous integral formulation, is used for the analysis. In the first part of the study, results obtained from the XFOIL have been compared with available experimental data at low Reynolds numbers. XFOIL is then used to study relative aerodynamic performance of nine different airfoils. The computational analysis has shown that the S1223 airfoil has a relatively better performance than other airfoils considered for the analysis.


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