Vortex Growth Research Articles

Study on the Spatio-temporal Evolutionary Properties of Gas-liquid Two-phase Flow in Centrifugal Pump as Turbine (PAT)

With the increasing complexity of the industrial production process, the transmission medium of the hydraulic turbine is no longer satisfied, and the gas-liquid two-phase mixed medium has to be considered. The presence of gas in the transmission medium will alters the internal flow structure of the hydraulic turbine and affect its operational stability. Therefore, for the purpose of clarifying the influence of inlet gas content on the internal flow of PAT, the unsteady flow of the PAT is simulated in this paper using numerical simulation. Based on the numerical simulation results, the influence of inlet gas content on the internal flow characteristics, characteristics of pressure fluctuation in impeller and volute, and vortex evolution of flow field are analyzed. The accumulation of gas phase leads to the emergence of vortices, and regions with low pressure values appear at the vortex generation. The major factor of the periodic variation of pressure fluctuation between volute and cut-water is the dynamic and static interference of impeller. The increase of gas content causes more flow disorder in the cut-water region and the volute contraction section. Since the gas in the flow channel is predominantly on the suction side of blades, the flow field on the suction side is more complex than that on the pressure side, and the amplitude of pressure fluctuation increases appropriately. The vortex structure is mainly distributed on balance hole, inlet area of impeller and suction side of blade. As the blade rotates, there are new shedding and growth of vortices, and finally attached to the volute wall. Increasing gas content enhances the influence of blade rotation on the vortex evolution characteristics in the volute and impeller.

Identification of Kelvin-Helmholtz generated vortices in magnetised fluids

The Kelvin-Helmholtz Instability (KHI), arising from velocity shear across the magnetopause, plays a significant role in the viscous-like transfer of mass, momentum, and energy from the shocked solar wind into the magnetosphere. While the KHI leads to growth of surface waves and vortices, suitable detection methods for these applicable to magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) are currently lacking. A novel method is derived based on the well-established λ-family of hydrodynamic vortex identification techniques, which define a vortex as a local minimum in an adapted pressure field. The J×B Lorentz force is incorporated into this method by using an effective total pressure in MHD, including both magnetic pressure and a pressure-like part of the magnetic tension derived from a Helmholtz decomposition. The λMHD method is shown to comprise of four physical effects: vortical momentum, density gradients, fluid compressibility, and the rotational part of the magnetic tension. A local three-dimensional MHD simulation representative of near-flank magnetopause conditions (plasma β’s 0.5–5 and convective Mach numbers Mf∼0.4) under northward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) is used to validate λMHD. Analysis shows it correlates well with hydrodynamic vortex definitions, though the level of correlation decreases with vortex evolution. Overall, vortical momentum dominates λMHD at all times. During the linear growth phase, density gradients act to oppose vortex formation. By the highly nonlinear stage, the formation of small-scale structures leads to a rising importance of the magnetic tension. Compressibility was found to be insignificant throughout. Finally, a demonstration of this method adapted to tetrahedral spacecraft observations is performed.

Nonlinear transient disturbance growth analysis for the compressible external flow and application to a flow around circular cylinder

The property of nonlinear optimal perturbation (NLOP) analysis for the flow around the circular cylinder was investigated with a comparison with the linear optimal perturbation analysis (LOP). Our analysis revealed that NLOP is highly dependent on the initial disturbance norm and highlighted the limitation of linear prediction in triggering instability in the flow field. This NLOP shows an asymmetric and deformed vortex structure on the cylinder wall, with the angle of the maximum wall vorticity shifting in relation to the initial disturbance norm. We also observed that the circulation and disturbance vorticity at the shear layer in boundary layer efficiently contributed to larger disturbance growth of the separation vortex behind the cylinder compared with the LOP.

Shapiro Steps in Driven Atomic Josephson Junctions.

We study driven atomic Josephson junctions realized by coupling two two-dimensional atomic clouds with a tunneling barrier. By moving the barrier at a constant velocity, dc and ac Josephson regimes are characterized by a zero and nonzero atomic density difference across the junction, respectively. Here, we monitor the dynamics resulting in the system when, in addition to the above constant velocity protocol, the position of the barrier is periodically driven. We demonstrate that the time-averaged particle imbalance features a plateau behavior that is the analog of Shapiro steps observed in driven superconducting Josephson junctions. The underlying dynamics reveals an intriguing interplay of the vortex and phonon excitations, where Shapiro steps are induced via suppression of vortex growth. We study the system with a classical-field dynamics method, and benchmark our findings with a driven circuit dynamics.

Instability processes in short and long laminar separation bubbles

This work studies the link between the bursting process of a flat plate laminar separation bubble and the modification of the stability characteristics of the separated shear layer due to changes in the flow parameters. A vast population of short and long laminar separation bubbles was surveyed by means of Particle Image Velocimetry instrumentation for different values of the Reynolds number, the free-stream turbulence intensity and the streamwise pressure gradient. A fine-step variation of the free-stream velocity allowed us to determine the critical Reynolds number at which bursting occurs. Successively, the most amplified wavelength and frequency were computed for both the short and the long bubble regimes. Once scaled with the boundary layer displacement thickness at separation, the average wavenumber of the vortices shed by the bubble was found to be constant and equal to about 0.9 in the short regime, accordingly to previous studies. Differently, this quantity reduces to about 0.6 in the long bubble regime, and a marked change in the Strouhal number of vortex shedding occurs. Also, the temporal growth of spanwise vortices was seen to occur in the recirculation region of long type bubbles, being linked to an absolute instability of disturbances. The currently acquired data demonstrate the existing link between the bursting process of a laminar separation bubble and a marked change in the instability mechanisms driving the transition process of the boundary layer. A simplified correlation for the prediction of bursting is provided in this work as a function of the free-stream turbulence intensity and the streamwise pressure gradient.

Comparison of kinetic energy conversion characteristics of two extreme precipitation episodes during persistent unusually heavy rainfall on 17–23 July 2021 in Henan, China

A persistent heavy rainfall event, contributed by two extreme episodes (P1 and P2), occurred in Henan province of China from 17 to 23 July 2021. An active mesoscale vortex was present in the lower troposphere, along with a shallow trough moving eastward in the upper troposphere. The budgets of rotational kinetic energy (KR) and divergent kinetic energy (KD) at distinct stages are investigated. The lower-level KR anomaly, related to the mesoscale vortex growth therein, was responsible for P1. However, the upper-troposphere KR was dominant and strong during the P2 stage, associated with an eastward-developing upper-level trough. Prior to both P1 and P2, active inner interaction between rotational and divergent winds presented, manifested as a rapid increase of KVRVD signals. KVRVD and precipitation had similar pattern distribution and consistent evolution tendency. Therefore, KVRVD might be a useful indicator for the occurrence and intensification of rainfall. Expect for two components of winds interaction, the external source feeding kinetic energy growth is also explored. For P1, APE (available potential energy)-> KD-> KR was the key path towards rotational kinetic energy, providing energy for mesoscale vortex growth in lower troposphere, which was favorable for the extreme episode of P1. Nevertheless, for P2 stage, APE acted as a direct energy source towards KR in upper troposphere, with higher efficiency (via APE-> KR) and thus stronger KR. This kind of difference in conversion path depended on the vertically-coupled degree between the lower-level mesoscale vortex and the upper-level trough, in addition to the rotational and divergent wind speed. Their tilting/upright configuration produced strong baroclinic/barotropic process, accelerating energy conversion of APE-> KD/APE-> KR via GD/GR (i.e., generating KD/KR by divergent/rotational winds crossing geopotential height contours, usually as a generator resulting from barotropic/baroclinic process). Therefore, kinetic energy budget may be a valuable tool for identifying key weather systems development and forecasting extreme rainfall episodes.

Formation and development of vortices in power and propulsion systems

A differential equation of motion is proposed that reflects the dynamics of the vortex growth, which makes it possible to establish the boundaries of the existence of vortex flows and determine the vorticity field. Keywords:turbulence, impulse, vortex, Navier—Stokes equation, mass velocity, vorticity swgeorgy@gmail.com, toolgapodymova@yandex.ru

Memory and scission effects of polymers on the flow regime of polyethylene oxide solutions in continuous abrupt contraction–expansion microchannels with different cavity lengths

This study experimentally observes the flow regimes of polyethylene oxide solutions in continuous, abrupt contraction–expansion microchannels. In dilute solutions (0.5 × 10−3–1.5 × 10−3 wt. %), the effects of flow rate, concentration, and cavity length on flow characteristics in the contraction and expansion parts of each cavity are analyzed, including quantified calculations of normalized vortex lengths and extension rates. The results indicate that polymer memory and scission affect the flow transitions. Memory effects enhance vortex growth and scission weakens flow, and these effects occur continuously within the channel. Increased flow rates and cavity lengths intensify polymer scission, accelerating the transitions from elastic instability to corner vortex, lip vortex, and then to steady vortex-free flows in the contraction parts and from steady vortex-free flows to lip and corner vortices in the expansion parts. The flow-regime transitions for concentrations from 0.01 to 0.4 wt. % for dilute and unentangled semi-dilute solutions at various flow rates are summarized in the Reynolds and Weissenberg number spaces. Polymer chains tend to become entangled in higher-concentration solutions, rendering the solution rigid and inducing complex flow regimes.

Non-axisymmetric Endwall film cooling characteristics considering the influences of cylindrical holes and laidback fan-shaped holes

Flow fields near the turbine vane endwall are complicated due to the endwall cross flows. The use of a non-axisymmetric endwall is regarded as an efficient technique to reduce the lateral pressure difference, decreasing the endwall cross flow. Numerical analysis was performed to determine how the non-axisymmetric endwall affected the vortex structure and heat transfer level. The cooling performance was investigated with cylindrical and laidback fan-shaped holes (7–7–7), which were arranged in rows aligned in the axial direction. The results showed that the non-axisymmetric endwall could significantly reduce the circumferential pressure difference and suppress the growth of the passage vortex, and the area-averaged heat transfer coefficient was reduced by 3.34%. The outlet area of the film hole was altered by the non-axisymmetric endwall, and the over-cooled regions may have appeared as a result of the excessive area increase. The influence of the non-axisymmetric endwall was concentrated at 0.4 < Z/Cax < 1.0 for the cylindrical hole. With the increase in M, the film cooling effectiveness of the non-axisymmetric endwall attained a higher level than that of the flat endwall. For the laidback fan-shaped hole, the effect of the non-axisymmetric endwall was confined within 0.25 < Z/Cax < 1.0. The half-period trigonometric function of the non-axisymmetric endwall (HTFN) achieved the optimal cooling performance for three blowing ratios. However, the periodic trigonometric function of the non-axisymmetric endwall (PTFN) only outperformed the flat endwall when M= 1.5.

Impact of flow intermittency on heat transfer enhancement in serpentine channels

With liquid cold plates being widely applied in industries such as battery energy storage systems, advanced heat transfer enhancement technologies are urgently needed to efficiently dissipate the ever-increasing heat load. The present work numerically and experimentally explores the potential of flow intermittency in a laminar serpentine channel for thermal performance improvement. The numerical analysis shows that the dynamic Dean vortex evolution induced by the intermittent mainstream disrupts the thermal boundary layer more effectively than the steady-flow vortices and enhances local Nusselt number at the U-turns by 117% maximally. Such secondary vortices are transported intermittently to the straight segments, resulting in a 55% increase in the area-averaged heat transfer by promoting mainstream-boundary flow mixing. The optimization of the flow intermittency profile is achieved by matching the pulse-on and deceleration stage durations with the characteristic times of secondary vortex growth and transport. The numerical results are qualitatively validated by the experimental measurement conducted in a water bath. The current study novelly demonstrates the design concept of enhancing heat transfer in curved channels by actively controlling the intermittent flow and proposes the design criteria for the intermittency profile to achieve optimal performance.

Flow over a single dimple recessed in a flat plate

Direct numerical simulations have been conducted to investigate a zero-pressure-gradient boundary layer flow over a single shallow dimple. Here, the dimple depth to dimple diameter ratio (d/D) as well as the Reynolds number (based on D and free-stream velocity) are fixed at 0.05 and 20 000, respectively. The effect of inlet boundary layer thickness δ on a given dimple is investigated by considering δ/D∈[0.023,0.1]. The flow within the dimple exhibits either a horseshoe vortex (a continuous core line through the two spirals within the dimple) or a tornado-like vortex pair (discontinuous core line). For the given parameter range, four different flow patterns have been identified within the single dimple: (i) a steady symmetric horseshoe vortex pattern for δ/D∈[0.053,0.1], (ii) a steady asymmetric horseshoe vortex pattern for δ/D=0.04, (iii) a quasi-periodic asymmetric horseshoe vortex pattern for δ/D=0.033, and (iv) a mixed horseshoe and tornado-like vortex pattern for δ/D=0.023. The growth of the streamwise vorticity, mainly caused by the tilting of the vertical vorticity, plays a key role in the transition between the different flow patterns. Dimple-induced velocity streaks above the single dimple have been investigated in detail for the first time, showing four different streaks: (i) a high-speed streak above the dimple, (ii) two side-low-speed streaks located outside the dimple span, (iii) two side-high-speed streaks, and (iv) a mid-low-speed streak in between them. These are mainly caused by a flow acceleration effect and a flow diffuser effect over the dimple, as well as a “lift-up” mechanism within the downstream part of the dimple, tilting the boundary layer upward.

Numerical simulation of biomagnetic pulsatile flow through a channel

The study of biological fluids in the presence of a magnetic field is known as biomagnetic fluid dynamics (BFD). The research work in BFD has been rapidly growing due to its applications in developing magnetic devices used for cell separation, targeted drug delivery and cancer tumor treatment. This study aims to examine the biomagnetic fluid flow with pulsatile conditions through a channel when subjected to a magnetic field that varies in space. The nondimensional continuity and momentum equations are solved with the effect of the magnetic field added as a body force. A two-dimensional computational model is developed using the finite volume method and is implemented on a staggered grid system with the help of the semi-implicit fractional step method. The code is written using MATLAB. Numerical simulations are performed by varying the Magnetic, Reynolds and Womersley numbers. Pulsatile flow results indicate the periodic growth and decay of vortices near the source of the magnetic field. With an increase in the magnetic number from 100 to 150, 250 and 500, the maximum vorticity increases by 48.04%, 149.84% and 402.68%. A similar relation is found when varying the Reynolds number, while almost no change is found when varying the Womersley number.

A numerical investigation into thermo-fluid characteristics of pulsating jet impingement on a dimpled surface

A two-dimensional axisymmetric numerical model is employed to study the flow and heat transfer attributes of the pulsating air jet impingement on a dimpled surface. The results are compared with the steady jet impingement. The results are examined at a fixed Reynolds number of 5000, over a Strouhal number range of 0.1–0.5, and pulsation amplitude of 15% and 25% for three different nozzle-to-surface separations (z/d = 2, 6, and 10). The pulsation amplitude of 15% has a minor effect on heat transfer from the dimpled surface. However, at 25% pulsation amplitude, significant improvements in the heat transfer rates are obtained in many combinations of jet Strouhal number and jet surface spacing. The value of the optimum Strouhal number provides conditions for the maximum heat transfer rate, which varied with nozzle-to-surface separation distances. Combinations of higher separations and lower Strouhal numbers (and vice versa) produced optimum heat transfer among the cases considered in the present study. The maximum improvement (17.41%) in the average heat transfer over the steady jet was found at z/d = 10 for pulsation at St = 0.1, while at z/d = 6, St = 0.2 provides the highest heat transfer rate. It is urged that the vortices formed in pulse jet close to the natural frequency of vortex formation provide a conducive environment for the vortex growth and their existence, significantly affecting the jet entrainment, mixing, and jet spread, which eventually play the decisive factor in determining the overall heat transfer rates on the dimpled surface.

Electroconvective instability at the surface of one-dimensionally patterned ion exchange membranes

The development of an electroconvective vortex explains the induction of overlimiting current in high voltage applications. However, an in-depth understanding of the dynamics remains challenging because the electrohydrodynamic behavior is unstable. Here, we show how the vortex develops and actively control this using a one-dimensional (1D) grid-patterned ion exchange membrane (IEM). We employed ultraviolet nanosecond laser ablation to fabricate micro-scale (100 μm) non-conductive 1D grid patterns on a commercial IEM. Vortex growth and the electrical responses were simultaneously monitored to derive correlations between the vortex dynamics and ion transport. The rate of electric potential fall increased rapidly during vortex development but decreased more gradually on transverse merging of the vortices. When shear flow was present, the modified scaling law was redefined via dimensionless number analysis of the electroconvective flow by the length of the impermeable 1D grid pattern and the applied voltage. The overlimiting currents and the desalination performances of 1D grid-patterned IEMs were successfully demonstrated. Based on these insights into the electroconvective vortex, we show that the electrical heterogeneity of the IEM actively controls the vortex and enhances desalination performance.

Dynamical interactions between Loop Current and Loop Current Frontal Eddies in a HYCOM ensemble of the circulation in the Gulf of Mexico

The dynamics of the Loop Current (LC) system in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM), specifically during the shedding of Eddy Franklin in 2010, is investigated using an ensemble of simulations. The ensemble members differed in their initial conditions of the West Florida Cyclonic Eddy (WFCE), which in turn significantly influences the timing and occurrence of the Loop Current Eddy (LCE) detachment. The results reveal that a stronger and larger WFCE leads to an early LCE detachment, while a weaker and smaller WFCE results in late or even no detachment within the 60-day simulation period. The initial WFCE’s size and strength are also found to impact the evolution of Campeche Bank Cyclonic Eddies (CBCE). The intrusion of a large and strong WFCE into the LC leads to a rapid growth of potential vorticity (PV) over the eastern Campeche Bank (CB), associated with the formation of a CBCE. In addition, ensemble members with stronger and larger WFCE generally agree with mooring data regarding the velocity evolution over the eastern CB, as well as the CBCE’s northeastward offshore displacement. Our results suggest that the size and strength of the WFCE may serve as predictors of the formation of a CBCE and of an LCE detachment occurrence. This finding has implications for future studies and forecasting methodologies for the GoM circulation.

Reynolds-number scaling analysis on lift generation of a flapping and passive rotating wing with an inhomogeneous mass distribution

Insects usually fly by passively rotating wings, which has been applied to the design of flapping-wing Micro-Air Vehicles (MAVs) to reduce mechanical complexity. In this paper, a robotic passive rotating-wing model is designed to investigate wing kinematics and lift generation, which are measured by a high-speed camera and a force transducer, respectively. In addition, flow fields are measured using the Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). Experimental results demonstrate that passive rotating motion has a coordinative relationship with actively stroking motion. As the stroke amplitude or frequency increases, the rotating amplitude is enlarged. To characterize the active stroking motion, a driving Reynolds number Redriving is defined, which varies from 68 to 366 in this study. Moving the gravity center of the wing towards trailing edge induces the increase of additional torque M, which decreases the wing rotating amplitude and promotes the advance of wing rotation. We find that the timing of wing rotation is gradually delayed and the mean lift coefficient CL¯ monotonously decreases as Redriving increases. By increasing the additional torque M, CL¯ is slightly improved and approaches to the lift coefficient of a real fruit fly at driving Re approximately equal to 230. The instantaneous lifts combined with the vortical structures further demonstrate that the lift generation associated with wing rotation is mainly attributed to the growth of the Leading-Edge Vortex (LEV) and the passive wake capture mechanism. Passive wake capture is influenced by LEV, reversal stroke motion and wing additional torque together, which can only maintain the lift at a high level for a considerable period. The high-lift generation mechanisms of flapping and passive rotating flight could shed light on the simplified design of MAVs and the improvement of their aerodynamic performance.

Gas-particle flows in a microscale shock tube and collection efficiency in the jet impingement on a permeable surface

We investigate the flow physics of non-equilibrium gases in interaction with solid particles in a microscale shock tube and the collection efficiency in the jet impingement on a permeable surface. One interesting application of flows in shock tubes at low pressures or micro-shock tubes is needle-free injection technology where drug particles are delivered by shock waves. To investigate such problems, a new two-fluid model system coupled with second-order Boltzmann–Curtiss-based constitutive relationships for modeling a non-equilibrium gas was developed. We were specifically interested in how rarefaction affects the complex wave patterns observed in dusty gas flows and the role of bulk viscosity in diatomic and polyatomic gases exposed to moving shocks. Simulation results demonstrated how significantly the bulk viscosity can affect the topology of the solution in the Sod shock tube problem. Counter-intuitive flow features were noted, resulting from bulk viscosity effects and the incapability of the first-order theory, even when Stokes' hypothesis was abandoned (i.e., the Navier–Fourier model). After detailed analyses in one-, two-, and three-dimensional space for simplified flow problems, a case was designed to represent a needle-free injection device. In addition, a new concept of “collection efficiency” was introduced that quantifies the efficiency of drug delivery in the two-phase jet impingement on the skin. We also derived a new “vorticity transport equation” that takes the bulk viscosity and multiphase effects into account. Based on the new equation, the time evolution of vorticity growth rates was analyzed for all the contributing terms in the equation.

The importance of extensional viscosity on a peculiar ear-flow front for injection molding simulations of fiber-reinforced composites

An ear-flow front is discovered in the industrial practice of injection molding, especially for fiber-reinforced composites; the advance of the flow front in the center of the cavity is obviously slower than at the edges. To date, such a peculiar flow has not yet been predicted theoretically or computationally and is beyond the predictive capabilities of existing commercial computer aid design (CAE) packages for the injection molding process. Recently, the GNF-X (Generalized Newtonian Fluid eXtended) model of weighted shear/extensional viscosity has been incorporated availably in state-of-the-art predictive engineering software of the 3D-CFD (three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics) framework to show the extension-induced vortex growth in contraction flows of polymer melts. Through 3D-CFD coupled with GNF-X in injection molding simulations, it is significant to demonstrate the importance of extensional viscosity on the ear-flow formation in relation to the weighted viscosity and extension fraction for long-branched and fiber-filled polymer materials. In addition, one can point out that the ear-flow front probably occurs in fast filling conditions for anisotropic fluids.

Vorticity and magnetic dynamo from subsonic expansion waves

Context. The main driving forces supplying energy to the interstellar medium (ISM) are supernova explosions and stellar winds. Such localized sources are assimilable to curl-free velocity fields as a first approximation. They need to be combined with other physical processes to replicate real galactic environments, such as the presence of turbulence and a dynamo-sustained magnetic field in the ISM. Aims. This work is focused on the effect of an irrotational forcing on a magnetized flow in the presence of rotation, baroclinicity, shear, or a combination of any of the three. It follows an earlier analysis with a similar focus, namely, subsonic spherical expansion waves in hydrodynamic simulations. By including magnetic field in the model, we can evaluate the occurrence of dynamo on both small and large scales. We aim to identify the minimum ingredients needed to trigger a dynamo instability as well as the relation between dynamo and the growth of vorticity. Methods. We used the Pencil code to run resistive magnetohydrodynamic direct numerical simulations, exploring the ranges of values of several physical and numerical parameters of interest. We explored Reynolds numbers up to a few hundreds. We analyzed the temporal evolution of vorticity, kinetic, and magnetic energy, as well as their features in Fourier space. Results. We report the absence of a small-scale dynamo in all cases where only rotation is included, regardless of the given equation of state and rotation rate. Conversely, the inclusion of a background sinusoidal shearing profile leads to an hydrodynamic instability that produces an exponential growth of the vorticity at all scales, starting from small ones. This is know as vorticity dynamo. The onset of this instability occurs after a rather long temporal evolution of several thousand turbulent turnover times. The vorticity dynamo in turn drives an exponential growth of the magnetic field, first at small scales, followed by large ones. The instability is then saturated and the magnetic field approximately reaches equipartition with the turbulent kinetic energy. During the saturation phase, we can observe a winding of the magnetic field in the direction of the shearing flow. By varying the intensity of the shear, we see that the growth rates of this instability change. The inclusion of the baroclinic term has the main effect of delaying the onset of the vorticity dynamo, but then leads to a more rapid growth. Conclusions. Our work demonstrates how even purely irrotational forcing may lead to dynamo action in the presence of shear, thus amplifying the field to an equipartition level. At the same time, we confirm that purely irrotational forcing alone does not lead to any growth in terms of the vorticity, nor the magnetic field. This picture does not change in the presence of rotation or baroclinicity, at least up to a resolution of 2563 mesh points. To further generalize such a conclusion, we will need to explore how this setup works both at higher magnetic Reynolds numbers and with different prescriptions of the irrotational forcing.

Water Flow Visualization And Velocity Measurement Using Hydrogen Bubble Generation Technique In Low Speed Open Channel

Visualization of water flow around different bluff bodies at different Reynolds number ranging (1505 - 2492) was realized by designing and building a test rig which contains an open channel capable to ensure water velocity range (4-8cm/s) in this channel. Hydrogen bubbles generated from the ionized water using DC power supply are visualized by a light source and photographed by a digital camera. Flow pattern around a circular disk of (3.6cm) diameter and (3mm) thickness, a sphere of (3.8cm) diameter and a cylinder of (3.2cm) diameter and (10cm) length are studied qualitatively. Parameters of the vortex ring generated in the wake region of the disk and the separation angle of water stream lines from the surface of the sphere are plotted versus Reynolds number. Proper empirical formulas are investigated to describe the behavior of vortex ring parameters and separation angle versus Reynolds number. Vortex growth history in the wake region of the cylinder is identified by analyzing the photographs extracted from the digital camera used for photography purposes. Water velocity measurement in the upstream region and near the edge of the disk is conducted at different Reynolds number by measuring the length of Hydrogen bubble pulse streaks generated in the upstream region of the disk using electronic pulse generator circuit. Special electronic circuit is designed and fabricated to cut off the applied DC voltage. The calibration of the designed pulse generator is conducted using the proper oscilloscope device. The pictures extracted from the digital camera are used for analyzing the generated Hydrogen pulses.