The near-field flow characteristics of some wall-mounted mixing tabs

Extract

It is well known that passive vortex generators can be very effective in controlling separation by ‘re-energising’ the low momentum fluids at the boundary layers. They have been used extensively in many practical aerodynamic applications; both in external and internal flows. Typical examples include aerofoil stall alleviation and engine face distortion control in the jet aircraft intake during high angles of incidence. The general flow feature behind a vortex generator is that a pair of contra-rotating streamwise vortices would be formed which will significantly strengthen the flow at the boundary layers. However, the rationale for successful vortex generator designs is often poorly understood. In many cases, vortex generator designs have even been shown to be arbitrary. Anderson et al and Reichert and Wendt used rectangular fin and tapered fin vortex generators respectively, to eliminate the internal flow separation of S-shaped intake ducts. Both geometries were found to be equally effective. Weng and Guo successfully applied aerofoil shape type of vortex generators to suppress the swirl on the engine face of an S-shaped intake duct at high angles of incidence.