Chapter 5 Methods of flow visualization

Flow visualization is an effective means to obtain better

understandings of the flow physics. There are various methods of
flow visualization, ranging from very simple and easy to access, to
very complicate and expensive. For all the methods, a most
important issue concerned is how to present the flow phenomenon of
interest by clear photo images to touch people who might have no
knowledge of the flow. “ A good picture is worth thousands of words”
.

Examples of flow visualization images

Dye-injection method
This method is employed in a water tunnel or water channel. The method
is to introduce dye by an injection tube (needle) to the location of interest in
the flow field.
Issues of concern:
The disturbance introduced by the dye injection tube (Reynolds
number based on the diameter of the tube)
The density of dye has to be close to that of the working fluid
The velocity of the dye should be smaller but comparable to the flow
velocity to minimize the disturbance.

Lin, C.K., Miau, J.J., Chen, Q.S., Chou, J.H., Pan, D. and
Lin,S.F., 1993 Flow Visualization in a Circular-to-
Rectangular Transition Duct. International Journal of Turbo
and Jet-Engines, Vol. 10, pp.61-74.

Miau, Jiun-Jih, Leu, T.S., Chou, J.H., Lin, S.A., and Lin, C.K.,
1990, Flow Distortion in a Circular-to-Rectangular Transition
Duct. AIAA Journal, Vol. 28, pp. 1447-1456.
59o-sweep delta wing
Pitching up centering at ½ chord
K=0.04

59o-sweep delta wing

Pitching up centering at ½ chord
K=0.02
Oil-film method
This method is to apply some viscous fluid mixed with solid powder,
whose color is easily visualized by eye, on the tested model. Having had
the model in the test section of a wind tunnel subject to a desirable speed,
the pattern revealed by the oil film provides the information of flow near the
model surface, i. e., limiting streamline pattern which implies the shear
stress pattern.

Reference for limiting streamline and skin friction line:

Lighthill, M. J., “
Introduction. Boundary Layer Theory”
, Chapter 2 in Laminar
Boundary layers, L. Rosenhead, ed., Oxford University Press, 1963.
Hunt J. C. R., Abell, C. J.,Peterka, J. A. and Woo, H.,”
Kinematical Studies
of the Flows around Free or Surface-Mounted obstacles: Applying Topology
to Flow Visualization,”Journal of Fluid Mechanics, Vol. 86, Part 1, 1978, pp.
179-200.
—目前圓柱油流測試初步結果(尾流區域)

Re=1.06×105

FSSL
Visualization of flow over a finite cylinder
—目前圓柱油流測試初步結果(尾流區域)

Re=2.66×105

FSSL
—目前圓柱油流測試初步結果(Free end)
Aspect ratio 6

Re=1.06×105

FSSL
Circular Cylinders
Material: Acrylics
Aspect ratio= 8.5
Blockage ratio= 7.4%
Rz=0.73m

Material: Stainless Steel

Aspect ratio= 8.125
Blockage ratio= 8%
Rz=12.4 m
Flow visualization Re 3.08 10 5

90 degree 90 degree

Flow Flow
Flow visualization Re 3.75 10 5

90 degree -90 degree

Flow
Flow visualization
Re 4.04 10 5

90 degree -90 degree

Flow
Turbine cascade study
 Ink-dot method
Similarly, ink or paint dots can be applied on model surface for
experiment in a water channel or tunnel. The traces of ink or paint due
to the viscous stresses on the model surface provide the information of
flow near the model surface.

Langston, L. S., and Boyle, M. T., A new surface-streamline flow-

visualization technique, Journal of Fluid Mechanics, Vol. 125, 1982, pp.
53-57.
Miau, J.J., Liu, W.H.,Chou, J.H. Visualizations of flow over a 50 degree
sweep delta wing. American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Fluids
Engineering Division (Publication) FED, v 239, n 4, Experimental and
Numerical Flow Visualization and Laser Anemometry, 1996, p 3-8
Smoke-wire technique

With oil coated on a wire, which is heated by electric current continuously,

the smoke is generated and carried downstream by the flow to reveal the
flow motion.
Issues of concern:
the disturbance introduced by the wire (Reynolds number based on
the diameter of the wire)
to feed the oil continuously to the wire (by gravity)

Wu, S. J., Miau, J. J., Hu, C. C. and Chou, J. H., 2005, On

Low-Frequency Modulations and Three-Dimensionality in
Vortex Shedding behind a Normal Plate. Journal of Fluid
Mechanics, Vol. 526, pp.117-146.

Miau, Jiun-Jih, Lee, K.C., Chen, M.H., and Chou,

J.H.,1991,Control of Separated Flow behind a Backward-
Facing Step by a Two- Dimensional Oscillating Plate. AIAA
Journal, Vol. 29, No. 7, pp. 1140-1148.
Pulsed-wire technique

Same as the smoke-wire set-up, except that the wire is heated by

pulsed electric current, this technique shows the timeline of flow.

Hydrogen bubble technique in water or channel

Miau, J.J., Wang, G.Y. and Chou, J.H., 1992, Intermittent Switching
of Gap Flow Downstream of Two Flat Plates Arranged Side by Side,
Journal of Fluids and Structures. Vol. 6, pp. 563-582.
Laser-sheet fluorescence dye technique in water channel or tunnel

Miau, Jiun-Jih, Chiu, E.G.and Chou, J.H., 1992, Laser-Sheet

Flow Visualization on the Wake behind a Confined Ring. Fluid
Dynamics Research, Vol. 9, pp. 255-265.
Qualitative analysis of the flow visualization results are possible with
some techniques, for instance, liquid-crystal thermal images, PIV
(particle image velocimeter)

Miau, J. J., Chen, C. H., Tsao, J. C., and Liu, J. H., 2005, Studying
the Unsteady, Three-Dimensional Characteristics of Flow
Reattachment. Proceedings of Int. Conf. on Jets, Wakes and
Separated Flows, ICJWSF-2005, October 5-8, 2005, Toba-shi,
Mie, Japan, edited by T. Shakouchi, F. Durst and K. Toyoda,
JSME no. 05-201, pp. 797-801.

Tu, J. K. and Miau, J. J., 2006, Studying Three Dimensionality of

Vortex Shedding at Reynolds Numbers of 104 with MEMS Sensors,
44th AIAA Aerospace Science Meeting and Exhibit, AIAA-2006-
1413, Reno, Navada, January 9-12, 2006.

Miau, Jiun-Jih, Sun, D.J., and Yao, L.S., 1989, Streamwise

Vortices Generated by Impinging Flows in a Confined Duct.
Experiments in Fluids, Vol. 7, pp. 497-500.
Discussion of the images obtained by the methods above in regard of timeline,
pathline, streakline, and streamline.