Zdeněk Trávníček

The current paper presents a theoretical analysis of swirl flow stability, both inside a tube (vortex tube) and in a free annular swirl flow. The starting concept is the study of the evolution of velocity and temperature fluctuations. Methods of non-equilibrium thermodynamics are used to describe the magnitude of fluctuations and their properties. The important role of the total enthalpy follows from a variational analysis. Moreover, the thermodynamic criterion of the stability is formulated using the total enthalpy, and compared with experiments, numerical results and classical Rayleigh theory support its applicability. It was shown that the solid body vortex is at the margin of stability, which is experimentally observed. Analogously, the potential vortex is by the thermodynamic criterion stable; however, by the Rayleigh criteria it is on the onset of stability. The classical Taylor experiment of flow between two rotating cylinders is analysed from the point of view of this criterion. These results are underlined by swirl tube experiments at the Institute of Aerospace Thermodynamics at Stuttgart University and the annular nozzle experiments performed in the Institute of Thermomechanics CAS in Prague. Both independent experiments confirm the transformation of the initial annular vortex into a stable potential-type vortex. The results of this theory can also be used to explain the exceptional stability of tropical cyclones.

Experimental research was conducted on an annular air jet. The active flow control was introduced by means of tangentially arranged synthetic jets. Flow visualization and measurements of the flow velocity and stagnation pressure on an impingement wall were performed. Tests were carried out with Reynolds numbers ranging from 4000 to 10,000 (evaluated from the outer exit diameter of the annular nozzle). Bistability and hysteretic effects were revealed, because two alternative flow field patterns (A and B) were identified under the same boundary conditions. In the A pattern, a small recirculation area (bubble) of separated flow was attached to the nozzle centerbody. In the B pattern, a large recirculation area of separated flow bridged the entire nozzle-to-wall distance. The effect of the Reynolds number was evaluated: the hysteresis and bistability were not observed for Re ≥ 9000. Concerning the effect of flow control, it was concluded that a moderate swirling effect can effectively suppress the hysteresis and bistability. Graphical abstract

A round air jet issuing from a long straight pipe and impinging perpendicularly onto a heated flat plate was investigated experimentally. The Reynolds number (Re) covered the fully laminar, transitional, and fully turbulent regimes-Re = 850-15400. The main focus of this investigation was the transition regime, which occurred at Re = 2250-3010. Various measurements were recorded during the experiments using a hot-wire anemometer, an infrared thermometer, and a thermopile heat flux sensor; the mass transfer was measured using the naphthalene sublimation technique. The stagnation point heat transfer was correlated to the laminar and turbulent regimes in the form of the stagnation point Nusselt number, Nu₀ = CRe^mPr^0.4, where the exponent m = 0.50 and 0.55, respectively. The Nu⁰-Re relationship exhibited non-monotonic behavior (decrease) in the transition regime. Two counteracting mechanisms occur during transition-jet core shortening and an increase in velocity fluctuation; the former reduces Nu⁰, whereas the latter increases it.

Rolling turbines are fluid motors that may be used in pico hydro applications at very small hydraulic heads of below 1 m and can operate even with untapped (waste) water. The present study proposes a theory of their operation, based on the hydrodynamic stability of vortices. A solid body vortex may be transformed due to viscosity into a more stable potential vortex. Circulation generated in the vortex core is transmitted to a rotor. The rotor, which is the key element, performs a precession motion, rotating concurrently around its axis while processing around another (precession) axis. The mechanical power output is drawn from the precession motion via a shaft. The theoretical results were experimentally validated with three variants of the rotors: one truncated cone and two spherical rotors. It was concluded that the tested rolling turbines operate with an efficiency of 43% to 48% at a hydraulic head of between 0.5 and 1.6 m.

This paper deals with active control of a continuous jet issuing from a long pipe nozzle by means of a concentrically placed annular synthetic jet. The experiments in air cover regimes of laminar, transitional, and turbulent main jet flows (Reynolds number ranges 1082–5181). The velocity profiles (time-mean and fluctuation components) of unforced and forced jets were measured using hot-wire anemometry. Six flow regimes are distinguished, and their parameter map is proposed. The possibility of turbulence reduction by forcing in transitional jets is demonstrated, and the maximal effect is revealed at Re = 2555, where the ratio of the turbulence intensities of the forced and unforced jets is decreased up to 0.45.

Two biomimetic synthetic jet (SJ) actuators were designed, manufactured, and tested under conditions of a jet impingement onto a wall. Nozzles of the actuators were formed by a flexible diaphragm rim, the working fluid was air, and the operating frequencies were chosen near the resonance at 65 Hz and 69 Hz. Four experimental methods were used: phase-locked visualization of the oscillating nozzle lips, jet momentum flux measurement using a precision scale, hot-wire anemometry, and mass transfer measurement using the naphthalene sublimation technique. The results demonstrated possibilities of the proposed actuators to cause a desired heat/mass transfer distribution on the exposed wall. It was concluded that the heat/mass transfer rate was commensurable with a conventional continuous impinging jets (IJs) at the same Reynolds numbers.

An axisymmetric synthetic jet actuator based on a loudspeaker and five types of flanged nozzles were experimentally tested and compared. The first (reference) type of nozzle was a common sharp-edged circular hole. The second type had a rounded lip on the inside. The third nozzle type was assembled from these two types of nozzles—it had a rounded lip on the inside and straight section on the outside. The fourth nozzle was assembled using orifice plates such that the rounded lips were at both inner and outer nozzle ends. The last nozzle was equipped with an auxiliary nozzle plate placed at a small distance downstream of the main nozzle. The actuators with particular nozzles were tested by direct measurement of the synthetic jet (SJ) time-mean thrust using precision scales. Velocity profiles at the actuator nozzle exit were measured by a hot-wire anemometer. Experiments were performed at eight power levels and at the actuator resonance frequency. The highest momentum flux was achieved by the nozzle equipped with an auxiliary nozzle plate. Namely, an enhancement was approximately 31% in comparison with an effect of the reference nozzle at the same input power. Furthermore, based on the cavity pressure and the experimental velocity profiles, parameters for a lumped element model (mass of moving fluid and pressure loss coefficient) were evaluated. These values were studied as functions of the dimensionless stroke length.

A novel variant of a synthetic jet actuator (SJA) has been designed, manufactured, and tested. The novelty consists in a bio-inspired nozzle whose oscillating lip is formed by a flexible diaphragm rim. The working fluid is air, and the operating frequency is 65 Hz. The proposed SJA was tested by three experimental methods: phase-locked visualization of the nozzle lips, hot-wire anemometry, and momentum flux measurement using a precision scale. The results demonstrate advantages of the proposed SJA, namely, an increase in the momentum flux by 18% compared with that of a conventional SJA.