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Objective:
To indirectly measure the velocity profile in a laminar and
turbulent layer flow and assess the accuracy of analytic
approximations.
Background:
As a result of the no-slip condition, in viscous flows, the
adjacent molecules to a solid surface of a wall will travel at speed of
the surface. This in turn, will create a region where the velocity of
the fluid will vary from zero (relative to the surface) to the free
stream velocity known as a boundary layer.
Boundary layers have great significance in determining
whether the flow is turbulent or laminar, which both in turn have
advantages in different scenarios. The boundary layer is
determined by two factors, the environment, and the Reynolds
number. The Reynolds number is described as the ratio of inertial
forces to vicious forces, which can be generalised by the
relationship ( Re = U e l / , where l is a characteristic length scale and
is the kinematic viscosity). Generally, fluids with low Reynolds
numbers and low background disturbances, the flow is smooth and
steady. Fluids with high Reynolds numbers or with high background
roughness, the flow is turbulent with unsteady eddies.
The average velocity within a boundary layer can be
calculated by the following expressions:
Experimental method
The Bernoulli Equation states the velocity, is a function of the
change of pressure. Thus, to measure the velocity profile of the
boundary layer, the pressure difference from the solid surface to
varying points of the boundary layer will be recorded and later
converted into velocity.
1. Firstly, the initial laboratory temperature and pressure must
be noted as this will affect the viscosity of the air through the
wind tunnel. To start, the laminar results will be recorded and
so the leading edge of the plate must be smooth to allow the
devilment of the boundary layer.
2. For the experiment to be comparable, the wind velocity must
be kept as reading of 12 throughout the experiment.
3. Starting from the maximum displacement from the plate
surface, note the pressure difference from p0-p (Pa). The
manometer will not be straight and so measure the angle of
inclination. Using the angle, convert the pressure difference,
and compute the free stream velocity outside the boundary
layer.
4. Manoeuvre the probe across the boundary layer and record
the pressure difference at small intervals to attain an
WANG, Denise 28229215
Figure 1
For the laminar case, the last velocity value to stop changing is
23.9727ms-1, (the free stream velocity,) at 0.004064M. Thus, the
boundary layer thickness, (99% of 0.004064M), is 0.004023M away
from the surface.
WANG, Denise 28229215
Figure 2
In the following two graphs a theoretical value can be found for the
average velocity within boundary layers. Equation (1) is the
calculated value for a laminar flow, and equation 2 for the turbulent
flow.
3 4
U y y y
= 2 2 + Laminar flow (1)
Ue
1/n
U y
= Turbulent flow (2)
Ue
The following graphs (figure 3 and 4) will display the experimental
and theoretical value in comparison.
WANG, Denise 28229215
Figure 3
Figure 4
Rex =Uex/, based on the distance from the leading edge of the
plate to the measuring location.
Discussion of results
Figure 5 [2]- The arrows are all in one general direction, the boundary layer is
smaller than the turbulent case
To ensure that initial flow before entering the wind tunnel was
smooth, the entrance of the wind tunnel is covered in small holes.
The flow is thus initially perpendicular and uniform to the surface .
By tripping the surface of the flat plate, we induce a high Reynolds
number with turbulence. The flow is no longer perpendicular to the
surface and the flow contains different substructures. (Figure 6)
maximum speed, the reading was a little under the reference value
12 and was not constant through the experiment. To improve on
this, minimal movement from peers should be demonstrated.
When noting the manometer reading, parallax error may have been
introduced by not aligning the human eye in line with
measurement. To reduce this, a right-angle triangle can be used to
take the reading. In addition, the manometer was set at an angle of
11 so that the values could be read over a larger range. The
precision of manometer was therefore increased.
Another was the calibration of the pilot tube. Due to the age of
equipment, at zero height from the plate, the probe bent and
provided inaccurate results. In an ideal situation, the probe is to be
calibrated by a technician before the experiment.
A smaller error was that the kinematic viscosity of air may have
been different to what was used in the calculation. The air
temperature and pressure may not have been constant.
Conclusion
Bibliography