Experiments on turbulent-flow phenomena in eccentric annular ducts

Abstract

The investigation to be described here is a wide-ranging experimental study aimed at determining both the details of the flow field and the pressure drop and friction factor characteristics for turbulent flow in eccentric annular ducts. The experiments were performed utilizing three annular ducts of different diameter ratios; in each case the eccentricity was varied from zero (concentric annulus) to unity (walls in contact). To provide the broadest possible perspective, the measurements of the velocity field are presented in three different ways. First, contour maps showing lines of constant velocity are constructed. From these are deduced circumferential distributions of the local shear stress on the bounding walls. Velocity profiles along lines normal to the walls are represented in terms of both law-of-the-wall variables and defect-law variables. Neither of these representations affords complete agreement with the universal circular-tube distributions. In general, the defect law provides a somewhat closer correlation of the results for the eccentric annulus with those for the tube. The experimental findings do not substantiate a prior analytical model which assumes that the universal law of the wall applies on all lines normal to the bounding walls of the annulus. Friction factors, based on static pressure measurements, are shown to decrease with increasing eccentricity. The measured friction factors are in fair agreement with those of analysis. Hydrodynamic development lengths, deduced from entrance-region pressure data, are found to increase with increasing eccentricity. Circumferential pressure variations also increase with eccentricity.