Turbulent vortex rings in weakly turbulent and in turbulent ambient flow

ABSTRACT

Turbulent vortex rings were investigated in weakly turbulent flow and in three different grid generated turbulent flows to clarify the reciprocal action of the vortex ring with defined external turbulence. Assuming self-similarity and turbulent viscosity as proportional to V₀D₀ the equations for the ring diameter D(t) and the velocity of propagation V(t) were derived. The time difference Δt between the virtual origins of 1/V(t) respectively D²(t) led to an invariant term. The equation of momentum is fulfilled. – Position and diameter of the vortex rings were determined till their decay by means of an optical system, which did not disturb the vortex rings. The experimental results in weakly turbulent ambient flow obtained by the author and by others confirm the theory very well. The ambient turbulence was nearly constant in the measuring region; its effect could be described by simply adding its viscosity to the vortex ring’s internal turbulent viscosity. The results could be represented in unified non-dimensional diagrams. Moreover, an explanation was found as to why the mean internal turbulent viscosity is constant.

KEYWORDS:

• Vortex ring
• vortex ring in turbulent ambient flow

Acknowledgments

The author is indebted to Prof Dr Eduard Naudascher(†) (University of Karlsruhe, Germany) for suggesting the subject of this investigation and for his kind support.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.