Experiments on Bounded Vortex Flows and Related Particle Transport

Abstract

The flow field generated by the combination of a downward-oriented annular slot jet with a circumferential velocity component and a suction port in the space between two horizontal planes is referred to as a bounded vortex flow. The current paper reports on an experimental study of the flow field and its ability to transport particles. Particle image velocimetry measurement shows that the ratio of the inlet to outlet flow rate and the ratio of the plate separation distance to the jet inlet radius control the wall-normal vortex strength and entrainment of the jet into the suction port. A toroidal vortex ring was also observed to form in certain cases. In particle experiments a separatrix curve is observed beyond which particles roll outward and within which particles roll inward; thus forming a cleaned region with radius that decreases with increase in the flow rate ratio.