Primary Vortex Research Articles

Large eddy simulation of droplet dispersion and deposition over street canyons

Predicting droplet transport in the atmosphere is a major issue for a large number of dispersion problems such as spray cooling systems in streets, urban lawn sprinklers [Milesi et al., “Interferometric laser imaging for respiratory droplets sizing,” Environ. Manage. 36, 426–438 (2005)], and dispersion of virus such as COVID or from a terrorist attack [Balachandar et al., “Host-to-host airborne transmission as a multiphase flow problem for science-based social guidelines,” Int. J. Multiphase Flow 132, 103439 (2020)]. Here, we investigate the propagation of droplets issued from a source near the ground between square obstacles with different spacings. The aerodynamic field is determined by large eddy simulation coupled with an immersed boundary method for the obstacles. Droplets are tracked by a Lagrangian approach. An evaporation model is used to account for varying humidity conditions. Droplet concentration, mass flux, and deposition rates are obtained for different evaporation conditions and obstacle spacings. The results show high deposition rates on the internal wall of the first obstacle due to droplet advection by the reverse flow of the primary vortex. In addition to this, droplets may escape the canyon and propagate downstream as far as eight times the obstacle distance (8H). The concentration of air-borne droplets downstream the canyon is higher for smaller street canyon openings. When evaporation is accounted for, the ground-level droplet concentration may be reduced by up to 30% in the case of small canyon openings.

Numerical investigation of the collision of a vortex pair upon a solid wavy wall

The vortex dynamics produced by the collision of a vortex pair with a solid wavy wall are examined numerically using a proposed high-order vortex particle method. The influences of the Reynolds number (ReΓ) of the vortex pair, the wavelength (λw), and the wave amplitude (Aw) of the wall on the induced vortex structures, interactions among vortices, and the instability and reconnection of secondary vortices are discussed. The boundary layers at the top of ripples separate first to form the secondary vortices moving around the primary tubes. Meanwhile, the boundary layers at the bottom of ripples detach late, move vertically upward, and then form incomplete vortex loops due to an unsuccessful reconnection of the secondary vortices. The ReΓ effects cause the appearance of various vortex structures, such as incomplete primary vortex loops from the bottom of ripples at ReΓ=1000, secondary vortex loops due to interactions of the first loops with the wall at ReΓ=2000, and hairpin vortices at ReΓ=4000. The wavelength of the wall induces instability in the secondary vortex tubes. This instability on the secondary tubes appears at the top of ripples at λw=2r0, while it spreads over the whole secondary vortices at λw=4r0, where r0 is the initial spacing between the primary vortex tubes. This instability results in various wavy tubes that robustly interact with the primary tubes. Due to the effects of Aw, the primary vortex tubes significantly decay with time compared to those in the flat wall case.

Mechanism of enhanced impulse and entrainment of a pulsed jet through a flexible nozzle

The present experimental study shows that a nozzle with optimal flexibility can enhance the impulse and entrainment of a pulsed jet. Near the nozzle exit, vortex rings emanating from the flexible nozzle move faster because of the timely release of the elastic energy (stored during the expansion) to the jet, which is maximized at the structural stiffness that needs to be optimally tuned to the jet acceleration. The total circulation, hydrodynamic impulse and entrained fluid volume are enhanced substantially. Interestingly, we find that the same condition for optimal flexibility to maximize the hydrodynamic impulse and circulation of the primary vortex ring of the continuous jet (Choi & Park, J. Fluid Mech., vol. 949, 2022, A39) holds universally for the pulsed jet, indicating that abrupt jet termination is irrelevant to the impulse augmentation mechanism. Compared to the rigid counterpart, increments of the impulse ( ${\sim }400\,\%$ ) and entrainment ( ${\sim }220\,\%$ ) of a pulsed jet in the present study are considerably larger than those ( $200\,\%$ and $50\,\%$ , respectively) in a continuous jet from previous studies, which is attributed to the significant suppression of negative pressure at the nozzle exit by the collapsing motion of the flexible nozzle in the phase with the jet-driven upstream propagation of the surface wave on the nozzle. This universal mechanism provides a guideline for a novel jet propulsor using a flexible nozzle, for example, for small-scale underwater robots.

Numerical investigation on secondary injection and thrust vector control in a planar double divergent nozzle

In this work, the performance of secondary injection thrust vector control of an altitude adaptive planar double divergent supersonic nozzle is numerically investigated. The compressible turbulent flow is solved using the kT−kL−ω transition-sensitive eddy-viscosity model. An analytical model to predict the separation distance and penetration height due to secondary fluid injection is developed based on the blunt-body theory, and it shows good agreement with the numerical estimation. The computational results indicate that injection pressure, injector location and injection angle significantly impact the thrust vector control performance. The core flow is disrupted by the momentum injection from the secondary fluid, causing the flow field structure to become asymmetrical. The wall pressure imbalance between the upper and lower nozzle increases as the secondary jet pressure elevates. Further, the thrust vectoring amplification factor is improved when the injector is placed downstream near the outlet since the shock reflection is circumvented. Indeed, that resulted in the generation of a large lateral thrust force. Most importantly, for a high injector slot angle, the primary downstream vortex disappears, and a strong secondary upstream vortex is generated, which shifts the primary upstream vortex opposite to the core flow, subsequently the shock separation is advanced. In addition, a secondary injector fitted near the exit with high inclination angles and injection pressure generated a lateral thrust of 20%.

Jet array impingement heat transfer in a rectangular cavity with effusion holes

Various researchers have studied jet array impingement heat transfer in impingement/effusion cooling systems. However, there is a lack of research on impingement/effusion cooling systems installed within rectangular cavities that focus on the impact of the proximity of the jet hole to the cavity sidewalls on cooling performance. The main objective of this study is to investigate the flow and heat transfer characteristics of jet array impingement with effusion holes in a rectangular cavity, considering various spacings between the cavity sidewalls and the outermost jet hole. The design parameters in this study include the ratio of the jet hole pitch to jet hole diameter of 7.1, 10.0, and 16.7, and the ratio of the distance between the jet and impingement plates to jet hole diameter of 2, 6, and 10, with the Reynolds number based on the jet hole diameter ranging from 2500 to 15,000. Heat transfer characteristics in the stagnation region and wall jet region were examined using local Nusselt number distributions on the impingement surface, measured by liquid crystal thermography. The local Nusselt number was high in the stagnation region and decreased radially from the stagnation region as the wall jet region formed. The closer the outermost jet hole is to the sidewall, the higher the Nusselt number on the impingement surface near the sidewall. Moreover, the flow structure in the rectangular cavity was numerically investigated, and the velocity vectors and streamlines showed that primary and secondary vortices were generated in the middle of two neighboring jets and near the sidewall, respectively. This study also assessed previous average Nusselt number correlations. Based on experimentally determined average Nusselt number data with 54 center unit cells and 1296 side unit cells, new correlations to predict the average Nusselt number on the impingement surface in a rectangular cavity with effusion holes were developed.

Lid driven flow and heat transfer due to various positions of slit in a square cavity: FEM approach

A detailed analysis of flow and heat transfer due to moving slit within the various positions of the square cavity is discussed. The slit is strategically positioned and examined at three distinct locations within the square cavity i.e. left, middle and right. Constraints of the square cavity are defined for horizontal and vertical walls. The top horizontal wall is considered to be adiabatic while the other three walls of the cavity are cold. The upper surface of slit is heated and movable towards the left side of the square cavity while the other three walls are immovable and cold. The fluid flow dynamics and heat transfer within the enclosed cavity are governed by fundamental principles of mass, momentum and energy conservation. These governing principles manifest as intricate mathematical equations, specifically nonlinear partial differential equations accompanied with boundary conditions. The key parameters under consideration include the Reynolds number (250≤Re≤1500) and Richardson number (0.01≤Ri≤5) at a fixed Prandtl number (Pr=6.2). These parameters are analysed through variations in velocities, temperature profiles, isotherms and streamlines. In the computational framework, the momentum and temperature equations are addressed through quadratic interpolation, while linear interpolation is applied to handle the pressure equation. The numerical solution, utilizing Newton's technique and the PARADISO solver, is rigorously validated against existing research methodologies, establishing its methodological reliability. Higher Reynolds numbers shift the primary vortex towards the middle and create corner recirculation zones, more uniform heat distribution, while higher Richardson numbers increase buoyancy forces, reducing isotherm contours and affecting heat distribution. The local Nusselt number increases with the increase in Reynolds numbers but shows small changes with the increase in Richardson number. The value of Nusselt number decreases as the position of slit changes from left to right.

Numerical investigation of aerodynamic characteristics in tandem cascades with various curving strategies

Tandem configurations with curved blades can improve the flow field in compressor cascades. This study conducts a numerical investigation into the impact of various curving strategies on the losses and flow structures within tandem cascades. Curving strategies of three distinct configurations (curving both blades, solely the rear blade, and solely the front blade) along with three curved angles (5°, 10°, and 15°) are compared. Four primary vortex structures are causing losses in the tandem cascades. Loss weight coefficients, derived from each vortex, are adopted to quantify the proportion of losses. All curving strategies mitigate the accumulation of low-energy fluid near the endwalls, weakening the passage vortex. Various curving strategies have different effects on losses of the endwall spanwise vortex and trailing edge shedding vortices. The influence of curved angles on the three configurations indicates that curving both blades at 5° and curving the front blade at 5° or 10° can mitigate losses. An increasing loss is observed when the rear blade curves at any angle alone. Curving both blades or only the front blade mitigates the corner separation while the curved rear blade exacerbates it. The novelty of this study lies in applying topology analysis to establish correlations between losses, vortices, and topological configurations. This approach is a pivotal research methodology for elucidating the underlying mechanisms of loss generation and vortex dynamics within curved tandem cascades.

Energy concentration pipe based on passive jet control for enhancing flow induced vibration energy harvesting

Passive control is a classic method for enhancing the energy harvesting from flow-induced vibrations. This study introduces the Energy Concentration Pipe (ECP), a hollow pipe featuring a passive windward suction inlet and jet outlets, mounted on a circular cylinder to improve the performance of flow-induced vibration energy harvester. The effects of ECP configurations—single outlet, symmetrical dual outlet, and asymmetrical dual outlet—are investigated both experimentally and numerically. Experimental results demonstrate that the ECP significantly broadens the lock-in region and generates higher output voltage compared to conventional cylinders. Specifically, the lock-in region of the symmetrical dual outlet configuration increases by 108.33%, meanwhile the maximum output voltage improves by 12.69% over the baseline case. Numerical simulations further elucidate the mechanisms of the ECP, identifying the energy concentration phenomenon. An additional portion of incoming airflow, along with its energy, is channeled through the ECP and jetted into the wake vortex behind the cylinder, altering the wake vortex shedding process. The wake structure is characterized by large primary vortex pairs and smaller secondary vortices. The energy concentration also results in larger and stronger wake vortices, enhancing unsteadiness and broadening the lock-in region. Moreover, a transverse oscillation of vortices induces additional excitation on the cylinder due to pressure oscillation, leading to larger vibration amplitude and higher output voltage.

Numerical investigations of shock/boundary-layer interaction and control for Mach 2.5 flow in an axisymmetric inlet

The present work investigates the application of vortex generators for separation control in axisymmetric isolator flows. Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes computations were performed to simulate a Mach 2.5 flow past a half-isolator geometry with a 20∘ axisymmteric compression ramp based on the experiments of Funderburk and Narayanaswamy at North Carolina State University. Single vortex generator and a vortex generator array placed upstream of the shock-induced separation region were investigated. Near wall streamlines, surface pressure contours and density contours on crosswise planes were compared with experiments for flow control using a single vortex generator. Results indicate that the present computations are able to capture the wake and shock structures, and also predict reduction in the streamwise extent of flow separation downstream of the device trailing edge. Finally, the effects of the shape/orientation (forward facing/backward facing) of a single vortex generator, and the design of an array of three vortex generators (with devices of similar and mixed orientations) on the flow separation were also investigated. Contours of near-surface streamwise velocity showed that device orientation had a strong effect on separation control, which is attributed to the differences in the primary streamwise vortices shed in the two cases. Further, the overall reduction in the footprint of separated flow was determined to be most with the use of an array of vortex generators with mixed orientations.

Large-eddy simulation of vortex-induced vibration of a circular cylinder at Reynolds number 10 000

The canonical scenario of cross-flow vortex-induced vibration (VIV) of a circular cylinder in the turbulent regime, which has been studied by several physical experiments in the literature, is reexamined in this study through high-fidelity large-eddy simulations (LES) at a Reynolds number 104. The VIV response (including vibration amplitude and frequency) and hydrodynamic coefficients predicted by the present LES agree with the experimental results better than previous numerical attempts. In addition, several phenomena reported by previous experimental studies are confirmed numerically for the first time. After validating against the experiments, new VIV characteristics and physical mechanisms are explored with confidence. First, a collective analysis on the frequency spectra of the displacement, lift, and velocity signals provides a complete picture of the frequency response of the system. In contrast, the use of a single signal may miss certain aspects of the frequency response, so that caution should be exercised. Second, spanwise correlation of primary vortex shedding is examined, where relatively low correlations in the upper and lower branches are likely because the vortex shedding patterns involve complex vortex generation and interaction. Third, the effect of mass ratio (m*) of the cylinder on the VIV response is analyzed with a range of m* (=1.4–3.4) relevant to cylindrical structures used in offshore engineering (such as subsea pipelines). The variations in the amplitude response, frequency response, and hydrodynamic coefficients with m* and reduced velocity are examined in detail. The present results suggest that a lighter pipeline is more susceptible to the onset of VIV.

A study on blast wave diffractions and the dynamics of associated vortices inside different grooves kept at various lateral distances from the shock tube

Diffraction is a fundamental phenomenon that occurs when blast or shock waves pass over sudden discontinuous surfaces. It generates a complex flow field consisting of diffracted waves, expansion waves, slipstream, contact surface, and an unstable shear layer, in addition to emitting acoustic waves. In this study, we investigated the diffraction of a blast wave passing over a series of grooved structures with different aspect ratios and geometrical shapes (rectangular, circular, and triangular) using high-speed shadowgraph images. The blast wave Mach number considered in our investigation is 1.34. The grooves feature leading-edge geometrical variations such as rectangular, circular arc, and wedge shapes positioned at various lateral locations from the exit of the shock tube. The aspect ratios of the rectangular grooves vary from 0.33, 0.5, and 0.67. The circular and triangular grooves have an aspect ratio of 0.33. The trajectories and velocities of the primary vortex are calculated by tracking the location of the vortex in the shadowgraph images. Our observations revealed that a large portion of the incident blast wave is abducted inside the groove as the aspect ratio increases in rectangular grooves, resulting in better attenuation of the blast wave. The grooves, which have circular shapes, produced weaker diffraction, which resulted in delayed and weak primary vortex. The triangular grooves produced the strongest primary vortex and have the highest attenuation characteristics among other grooves. The strength and trajectory of the primary vortex formed over the grooves strongly depend on the aspect ratio and the curvature of the leading edge for a given Mach number. Vortices generated from rectangular and triangular grooves exhibit considerable strength and longevity.

Investigating the influence of stepped roofs on wind dynamics using large eddy simulation

This study investigates airflow and turbulence within varying roof configurations in urban boundary layers by using the parallelized large-eddy simulation model (PALM). Key findings reveal stark contrasts in airflow between stepped and flat roof arrangements, with the former presenting dual counter-rotating vortices and enhanced vertical motion in one street, while the latter exhibited a primary vortex and several secondary vortices. Additionally, normalized turbulence kinetic energy (TKE) was markedly lower in flat roof configurations, with stepped roofs fostering more significant turbulence and small-scale turbulent motion. This variability intensified with decreasing step height and quantity. Vertical profiles further disclosed considerable velocity disturbances and larger Reynolds numbers in one street of stepped roofs, affirming the roof’s influence on turbulence generation and transport. Dispersive stress also displayed differing characteristics in various canyons. Turbulent momentum transport through eddies significantly differs between the windward and leeward streets of flat and stepped roofs. Further exploration into density stratification effects and scalar transport in stepped roofs would enhance practical implications.

Evolution of downburst-like flows produced by an active-controlled multi-blade facility

The intricate dynamics of vortex structures within the downburst outflow region present significant challenges in studying flow evolutionary features, which are crucial for understanding the effect of such flow on various structures. This study aims to reveal the evolutionary features of downburst-like winds produced by an active-controlled multi-blade (AMBS) facility, using the particle image velocimetry tests and the large-eddy simulation (LES) studies. The numerical simulation indicates that the wind velocity profiles, nonstationary wind velocity time history, and the transient flow patterns of the downward flow impinging on the ground can be well simulated by the LES method. For stationary winds, a series of columnar vortices are produced, and the vortices tend to be more organized as the maximum velocity appears at a lower height. The proper orthogonal decomposition analysis manifests that the primary vortex region is affected by multiple modes of the fluctuating wind field. In addition, the primary vortex structures of the AMBS-generated flow present apparent evolutionary features. During the downward flow impinging on the ground, the nose-shaped wind velocity profile gradually forms at the turntable center and is well developed when the maximum velocity is reached. This observation is in accordance with the findings in available full-scale measurement campaigns.

Numerical Investigation of the Reactive Impinging Jet Cooling – the role of vortices in heat and mass transfer intensification

While fundamental mechanisms of non-reactive jet impingement have been extensively researched, the reactive jet impingement is yet unexplored although it offers the potential to increase further the heat transfer. The present work fills this knowledge gap via high-fidelity numerical simulation of reactive jet impingement invoking the finite rate one-step chemistry. Endo-/exothermic reactions are found to have very limited influence on time-averaged fluid flow, while they induce substantial modifications in heat transfer characteristics. This influence is manifested as discernible changes in the momentary or instantaneous fluid dynamics. Specifically, the primary vortices are responsible for downwashing cold fluid (mostly N2O4) towards the hot plate, posing low local convective heat transfer. The secondary vortices are responsible for extracting heat from the hot plate via the dissociation reaction N2O4→2NO2, followed by transporting NO2 away from the hot plate and towards the upwashing side of the primary vortex. At the upside of the primary vortex, hot NO2 is cooled by the environment, therefore reforming N2O4 to give out energy. This intense and long-lasting heat absorption and heat release process explains the outstanding performance of reactive jet impingement.

Enhanced thermal effectiveness of square duct with V-type double-baffles: Numerical study

The article puts forward three-dimensional computational research on heat transmission augmentation within a square channel containing 45o V-type double-baffles positioned on the lower and top parts at regular intervals in the turbulence zone for Reynolds numbers (Re) that vary from 3000 to 20,000. The primary goal of this research is to increase the thermal effectiveness and relative Nusselt number (Nu/Nu0), in order to conserve energy and reduce the size of the heating or cooling system. The simulations utilize a finite volume approach in common with the SIMPLE algorithm, whereas the turbulent model used is the realizable k–ε. The baffles are designed to be separated vertically for reducing pressure loss. Both single V-baffles and double V-baffles have four relative pitches (PR = 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, and 1.0) and height/blockage ratios (BR = 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, and 0.2), with a fixed attack angle (α) of 45o. The computational findings show that both V-baffles are capable of producing the primary vortices, but only the double V-baffles have the ability to provide the impinging streams onto the wall, cooling the region behind the baffles. This suggests that the double V-baffles not only boost heat transmission but also reduce frictional loss. When compared to a single V-baffle, the double ones enhance heat transfer by an average of 1.04–9.94% while decreasing frictional loss by an average of 9.88–31.73%. The thermal effectiveness factor (TEF) of the double V-baffles ranges from 1.03 to 3.21, and its peak value of around 3.21 is for PR = 0.4, BR = 0.05, at lower Re.

Effect of trapezoidal louvered winglets on increased heat transfer and exergy in tubular heat exchanger

The effect of inserting a trapezoidal louvered winglet tape (TLWT) into a uniformly heat-fluxed tube on its thermal effectiveness was studied experimentally. The exergy and entropy analyses for turbulent flows, as well as frictional loss and thermal features, were highlighted as key aspects of the experimental finding for the Reynolds number which measured between about 4700 and 30,000. Because fixing baffles to the curved shape of tube wall presented a challenge, the baffles were consequently positioned on double surfaces of a flat tape. Six values of the louver angle (θ1 = 0°, 25°, 30°, 45°, 60°, and 90°) and three values of the relative pitch of winglet (PR = 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0) were employed in the arrangement of TLWTs, with the V-apex oriented upstream (V-up). Each of these had only a fixed height (BR = 0.25) and angle of attack (α = 30°). The winglets were utilized to induce streamwise vortices which can hinder the boundary layer formation, while the louvered openings were adopted to lessen pressure drop without significantly impacting the primary vortices. The experiment results disclosed that the smallest θ1 and PR produced the largest relative friction factor (fR) and NuR, which were about 13.57 and 4.04 times higher, while PR = 1 and θ1 = 45° provide the greatest TEF of about 2.27. The greatest exergy efficiency (ηEx) resulting from the TLWT was reached at θ1 = 0°, but the generation of entropy (S˙g′) dropped with lowering θ1 and Re. A further examination, however, showed that the best scenario with α = 60° and staggered arrays is more desirable since it yields the largest TEF of 2.45 at θ1 = 45° and PR = 1. For the range of parameters under consideration, the Nu and f correlations were additionally established.

Purifying High-Purity Copper via Semi-Continuous Directional Solidification: Insights from Numerical Simulations

High-purity copper is essential for fabricating advanced microelectronic devices, particularly integrated circuit interconnects. As the industry increasingly emphasizes scalable and efficient purification methods, this study investigates the multi-physics interactions during the semi-continuous directional solidification process, utilizing a Cu-1 wt.%Ag model alloy. Coupled simulation calculations examine the spatial distribution patterns of the impurity element silver (Ag) within semi-continuously solidified ingots under varying pulling rates and melt temperatures. The objective is to provide technical insights into the utilization of the semi-continuous directional solidification method for high-purity copper purification. The findings reveal that increasing the pulling rate and melt temperature leads to a downward shift in the solid–liquid interface relative to the mold top during processing. Alongside the primary clockwise vortex flow, a secondary weak vortex emerges near the solid–liquid interface, facilitating the migration of the impurity element Ag toward the central axis and amplifying radial impurity fluctuations. Furthermore, diverse pulling rates and melt temperature conditions unveil a consistent trend along the ingot’s height, which is characterized by an initial increase in average Ag content, followed by stabilization and then a rapid ascent during the late stage of solidification, with higher pulling rates and melt temperatures expediting this rapid ascent. Leveraging these insights, a validation experiment using 4N-grade recycled copper in a small-scale setup demonstrates the effectiveness of the semi-continuous directional solidification process for high-purity copper production, with copper samples extracted at 1/4 and 3/4 ingot heights achieving a 5N purity level of 99.9994 wt.% and 99.9993 wt.%, respectively.

Connections between propulsive efficiency and wake structure via modal decomposition

We present experiments on oscillating hydrofoils undergoing combined heaving and pitching motions, paying particular attention to connections between propulsive efficiency and coherent wake features extracted using modal analysis. Time-averaged forces and particle image velocimetry measurements of the flow field downstream of the foil are presented for a Reynolds number of $Re=11\times 10^3$ and Strouhal numbers in the range $St=0.16\unicode{x2013}0.35$ . These conditions produce 2S and 2P wake patterns, as well as a near-momentumless wake structure. A triple decomposition using the optimized dynamic mode decomposition method is employed to identify dominant modal components (or coherent structures) in the wake. These structures can be connected to wake instabilities predicted using spatial stability analyses. Examining the modal components of the wake provides insightful explanations into the transition from drag to thrust production, and conditions that lead to peak propulsive efficiency. In particular, we find modes that correspond to the primary vortex development in the wakes. Other modal components capture elements of bluff body shedding at Strouhal numbers below the optimum for peak propulsive efficiency and characteristics of separation for Strouhal numbers higher than the optimum.

A high-resolution numerical investigation of unsteady wake vortices for coaxial rotors in hover

High-resolution numerical simulations for wake vortical flows have long been a challenge in rotor aerodynamics. A novel spectrum-optimized sixth-order Weighted Essentially Non-Oscillatory (WENO) scheme is proposed to discretize inviscid fluxes on moving overset grids, and the Improved Delayed Detached Eddy Simulation (IDDES) is employed to resolve turbulent vortices. The integration of these methods facilitates a comprehensive numerical investigation into the unsteady vortical flows over coaxial rotors in hover. The results highlight the substantial improvement in numerical resolution, in terms of both spatial structure and temporal evolution of unsteady multiscale wake vortices. Coaxial rotors in hover manifest three primary scales of wake vortex structures: (A) the helical evolution of primary blade tip vortices and the periodic occurrence of strong Blade-Vortex Interactions (BVI); (B) the continuous shedding of small-scale horseshoe-shaped vortices from the trailing edges of rotor blades, forming the vortex sheets; (C) the emergence of small-scale secondary vortex braids induced by interactions between rotor tip vortices and the vortex sheets. These vortex structures and their interactions cause high-frequency oscillations in rotor disk loads and induce unsteady perturbations in the local flow field. Interactions among these primary vortices, coupled with the generation of secondary vortices, result in the dissipation, distortion, and breakup of the rotor tip vortices, ultimately forming a vortex soup. Notably, a substantial quantity of seemingly weak small-scale secondary vortex braids significantly contribute to energy dissipation during the evolution of wake vortices for coaxial rotors in hover.

Numerical and experimental study of tip leakage vortex structures and dynamics in a mixed-flow waterjet pump

Abstract Driven by the pressure difference between pressure side and suction side, the tip leakage flow (TFL) and forms the tip leakage vortex (TLV), which interact with main flow and leads to instability of flow as well as cavitation in a mixed-flow waterjet pump. In this work, the characteristics of TLV are investigated by experiment based on high-speed photography (HSP) and the numerical simulation. The TLV trajectories predicted by numerical simulation’s shows a good agreement with the experiment test results. Cavitation of the TLV core due to low pressure forms a TLV core cavitation trajectory line. The start position of TLV trajectories and the relative angle between the TLV trajectory and the blade are significantly affected by the blade tip loading. The unsteady primary tip leakage vortex (PTLV) evolution process can be summarised in three stages of splitting, developing, and collapsing.