Counter Rotating Vortices
Title
Counter Rotating Vortices
Description
A common method to enhance convective heat transfer is to utilize vortex-generating compact slender structures. When a vortex generator is placed in the streamwise direction of a flowing fluid, a pressure drop develops between the mean flow of the fluid and the wake region immediately downstream from the vortex generator. This pressure drop gives rise to a counter-rotating vortex pair (CVP). This CVP is a primary structure within the wake that governs and enhances mixing, while improving the heat transfer coefficient. The figure on the left shows the formation of a CVP as the fluid flows over a rectangular vortex generator located at x = -50 mm. The vectors show the fluid forming two distinct circulation zones that mirror one and other. The figure on the right shows that the CVP (shown with vorticity iso-sufaces) is prevalent in the near-wake for a significant distance downstream from the vortex generator until it eventually takes a more complex form downstream. By better understanding turbulent flows and vortex behavior, the overall efficiency of heat transfer can be greatly improved.
Creator
Allison Gibson
Date
2016
Contributor
Leonardo P. Chamorro
Rights
Copyright 2016 Allison Gibson
Relation
Mechanical Science
Original Format
jpeg
Collection
Citation
Allison Gibson, “Counter Rotating Vortices,” Image of Research: Celebrating Student Research at Illinois, accessed January 25, 2021, https://imageofresearch.omeka.net/items/show/267.