Flow past a rotationally oscillating cylinder

Flow past a circular cylinder executing sinusoidal rotary oscillations about its own axis is studied experimentally. The experiments are carried out at a Reynolds number of 185, oscillation amplitudes varying from $\mathrm{\pi} / 8$ to $\mathrm{\pi} $, and at non-dimensional forcing frequencies (ratio of the cylinder oscillation frequency to the vortex-shedding frequency from a stationary cylinder) varying from 0 to 5. The diagnostic is performed by extensive flow visualization using the hydrogen bubble technique, hot-wire anemometry and particle-image velocimetry. The wake structures are related to the velocity spectra at various forcing parameters and downstream distances. It is found that the phenomenon of lock-on occurs in a forcing frequency range which depends not only on the amplitude of oscillation but also the downstream location from the cylinder. The experimentally measured lock-on diagram in the forcing amplitude and frequency plane at various downstream locations ranging from 2 to 23 diameters is presented. The far-field wake decouples, after the lock-on at higher forcing frequencies and behaves more like a regular Bénard–von Kármán vortex street from a stationary cylinder with vortex-shedding frequency mostly lower than that from a stationary cylinder. The dependence of circulation values of the shed vortices on the forcing frequency reveals a decay character independent of forcing amplitude beyond forcing frequency of ${\sim }1. 0$ and a scaling behaviour with forcing amplitude at forcing frequencies ${\leq }1. 0$. The flow visualizations reveal that the far-field wake becomes two-dimensional (planar) near the forcing frequencies where the circulation of the shed vortices becomes maximum and strong three-dimensional flow is generated as mode shape changes in certain forcing parameter conditions. It is also found from flow visualizations that even at higher Reynolds number of 400, forcing the cylinder at forcing amplitudes of $\mathrm{\pi} / 4$ and $\mathrm{\pi} / 2$ can make the flow field two-dimensional at forcing frequencies greater than ${\sim }2. 5$.

Velocity Profiles of Liquid Flow Through Circular Tubes and How They Affect Flow Measurement

This paper analyzes velocity profiles for flow through circular tubes in laminar, turbulent, and transition region flows and how they affect measurement by flow-meters. Experimental measurements of velocity profiles across the cross-section of straight circular tubes were made using laser doppler velocimetry. In addition, flow visualization was done using the hydrogen bubble technique. Velocity profiles in the laminar and the turbulent flow are quite predictable which allow the determination of meter factors for accurate flow measurement. However, the profiles can not be predicted at all in the transition region. Therefore, for the accuracy of the flowmeter, it must be ensured that the flow is completely in the laminar regime or completely in the turbulent regime. In the laminar flow a bend, even at a large distance, affects the meter factor. The paper also discusses some strategies to restructure the flow to avoid the transition region.

Application of the Hydrogen-Bubble Technique for Velocity Measurements in Thin Liquid Films

A unique adaptation of the hydrogen-bubble flow visualization method was applied to measure velocity profiles and film thicknesses of very thin films on an inclined plane wall. Data were obtained in the three flow regions for a developing falling film with an initially uniform velocity profile and thickness ≤0.1 in. The measured profiles compared more favorably with parabolic profiles in the intermediate fully developed region than in the initial developing region. However, measured film thicknesses compared favorably with a simplified solution of the integral momentum equation based on parabolic velocity profiles. The results confirm the theoretical prediction that a relatively long distance may be required even for a thin film before nonaccelerating flow with a constant film thickness is obtained and Nusselt’s classical analysis applies. The experimental technique was shown to be a practical experimental method for obtaining data for the two-dimensional laminar flow of thin liquid films.

Natural Breakdown of Planar Jets

The growth of planar jets is studied using the hydrogen bubble technique of flow visualization. A five-fold range of nozzle exit Reynolds number (1860 to 10,800) is considered. Generation of streaklines and timelines permits characterization of the process of vortex formation and coalescence. Both symmetrical and asymmetrical modes of vortex growth and coalescence, along with the resultant deformation of the jet core flow, are examined. Nascent and mature stage coalescence are defined and portrayed. Vortex axial transport velocity and frequency of formation of the vortices are evaluated for selected Reynolds numbers.

A new type of water channel with density stratification

The novel idea is to use a disk pump to drive each fluid layer independently round a closed-return density-stratified water channel. A small-scale model was built and tested to demonstrate the feasibility of the idea. A hydrogen-bubble technique was used for both flow visualization and velocity measurement. Density measurements were made with an electrical conductivity probe developed by the authors. The tests have demonstrated the usefulness of such a facility, especially for long steady-state experiments in density-stratified flows.