Vortical Flow and Diagnostics Lab
Located in Randolph 30 and 33. Administered by Todd Lowe.
This lab develops advanced laser instrumentation for high speed and high Reynolds number flow studies. The research is motivated by its relevance to several sponsors including industry and government organizations. We specialize in particle-based instrumentation including advanced laser-Doppler velocimetry, Doppler global velocimetry, and custom fluorescent particle scalar techniques. Recent applications of our instruments and studies have included supersonic jet noise reduction, wind turbine boundary layer aerodynamics, and bluff body flameholder studies.
Camera for Jet Noise: Key development: 10 MHz camera for eddy convection.
Tobias Ekker, Wing Ng, and Todd Lowe at work by the Virginia Tech hot jet.
Labeled Jet
Jet Noise Highlights: Results show large scale turbulence dominated by heating effects over eddy compressability effects. Opportunities exist to reduce eddy speeds. Eddy speed measurement: Supersonic eddies (white, yellow, and orange) radiate most.
Measured Swirl Vectors: In-Plane Velocity Field. Results show the ability to generate swirl largely decoupled from engine operation and total pressure distortion. Measurements being used to improve fan performance for swirl distortion.
Swirl Fan Performance: Swirl Angle [deg.]. Results show the ability to generate swirl largely decoupled from engine operation and total pressure distortion. Measurements being used to improve fan performance and swirl distortion.