Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 August 2019
Transient, steady and oscillatory flows in a $180^{\circ }$ curved pipe are investigated both numerically and experimentally to understand secondary flow vortex formation and interactions. The results of numerical simulations and particle image velocimetry experiments are highly correlated, with a low error. To enable simulations in a smaller domain with shorter inlet section, an analytical solution for the unsteady Navier–Stokes equation is obtained with non-zero initial conditions to provide physical velocity profiles for the simulations. The vorticity transport equation is studied and its terms are balanced to find the mechanism of vorticity transfer to structures in the curved pipe. Several vortices are identified via various vortex identification (ID) methods and their results are compared. Isosurfaces of the $\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{2}$ vortex ID are used to explain the temporal and spatial evolution of vortices in the curved pipe. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the velocity gradient tensor are calculated for the swirling strength vortex ID method, which also determines vortex axis orientation. The classical Lyne vortex in oscillatory flow with an inviscid core is also revisited and its results are compared with the transient and steady flows. These in-depth analyses provide a better understanding and characterization of vortical structures in the curved pipe flow. Our findings show that, although there are some visual similarities between cross-sectional views of steady/transient flows and oscillatory flows, the structure herein designated as Lyne-type vortex detected in the cross-sections (under steady, transient and pulsatile flows) is not the same as the classical Lyne vortex pair (in oscillatory flows).
Vorticity component normal to each plane for Moderate-Step flow rate with no-slip wall condition. Four cross-sectional slices are shown at the 30○, 45○, 60○, and 90○ locations and the axial slice location is at the Z=-2.5 mm. The black line in the cross-sectional views shows the location of axial slice. Vorticity component along Z direction (shown in axial slice) forms a branch at t≈0.24 between 30○ and 60○ cross-sections closer to inner wall which this vorticity region is connected to the Lyne-type vortex region later in time.
Vorticity component normal to each plane for Moderate-Step flow rate with idealized slip wall condition. Four cross-sectional slices are shown at the 30○, 45○, 60○, and 90○ locations and the axial slice location is at the Z=-2.5 mm. The black line in the cross-sectional views shows the location of axial slice. Vorticity component along Z direction (shown in axial slice) which is introduced by inlet velocity profile propagates through the curved pipe and forms the Lyne-type vortex region later in time.
Iso-surface of λ2=-90, colored by streamwise vorticity (ωn) component for the Moderate-Step flow rate with no-slip wall condition at four instances in time. ωn vorticity shown at the 90○ cross-section and the shaded areas are corresponding to λ2≤-90 locations identifying vortex core. This figure shows the formation phase of Lyne-Type vortex.
Iso-surface of λ2=-40, colored by streamwise vorticity (ωn) component for the Moderate-Step flow rate with slip wall condition at four instances in time. ωn vorticity shown at the 90○ cross-section and the shaded areas are corresponding to λ2≤-40 locations identifying vortex core.
Contours of λ2<0 at the 55○ cross-section during the High-Step transient flow. This figure shows that only the deformed-Dean (DD) vortices existed at the beginning of the flow and later in time at t=0.135 s the Lyne-type (LT) vortex is forming, while at later times toward the steady state condition λ2 shows a connected regions of three vortices (in dark blue).
Streamwise vorticity (ωn) contour and secondary velocity streamlines at the 90○ cross-section of the pipe during pure oscillatory flow in Lyne problem with $\alpha=17$ and maximum Re=700. The axial (streamwise) velocity profile is plotted along the horizontal diameter (black) line in cross-section, and ωn is plotted along the vertical radius (blue line). The labels DD and L denote the deformed-Dean and Lyne vortices, respectively.
Three-dimensional and side views of vortex regions identified by swirling strength (λci>0) at the 90○ cross-section during the oscillatory sinusodal flow rate. Plotted lines (ξn) are parallel to the vortex axis and show the rotation axis. The ξn lines are colored by ωn and show that the Lyne vortex is mostly aligned with the streamwise direction. The lower half of pipes wall are shown to illustrate the angle of view.