GLYCERIN TUNNEL WITH ASSOCIATED INSTRUMENTATION FOR VERY LOW REYNOLDS NUMBER UNSTEADY FLOWS INVESTIGATIONS
Abstract
The publically releasable proposal seeks to obtain a custom-made Glycerin/water mixture tunneland a Time Resolved Particle Image Velocimetry (TR-SPIV) system that will be used for lowReynolds numbers flows, Re ~ O(10) to O(1000), in the Center for Flow Physics and Control(CeFPaC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). The requested system will significantlyenhance our capabilities in capturing highly 3-D unsteady/separated flows especially for anongoing AFOSR project, where the origin and mechanismof three-dimensional flow separation over sweptback wings with different aspect ratios will beexplored. The requested system will provide a unique capability to measure low-Re complexflows, and will enable flow measurements that could otherwise not be obtained. Moreover, itwill enhance the quality of the PI’s research and research-related education. There are less thana handful of Glycerin tunnels with the capability of both generating low Reynolds number flowsand the ability to obtain stereoscopic flow fields. Thus, having such a system will elevate theresearch conducted in the USA at very low Reynolds number 3-D flows, and will raise thequality of the AFOSR-funded project to a much higher level and put it at the front. In addition,the requested system will enable a state-of-the-art validation tool for stability theories as well asNumerical Simulations, as cross-validation among experiments, theory and CFD at very lowReynolds numbers is currently very limited due (in part) to experimental shortfalls. There is alarge body of literature on separated flows; however, most of the studies are for moderate to highReynolds numbers and 2-D geometries. The AFOSR-funded project, which the requested systemwill be mainly supporting, is targeted on capturing the highly 3-D unsteady aerodynamic effectsof separated flows, as well as exploring the transitory behavior of the flow to activation andtermination of flow control.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 28, 2018
- Source ID
- FA95501810443
Entities
People
- Michael Amitay
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
- United States Air Force