Weird velocity vector shape after step height (BFS)

warlocklw · May 23, 2012, 06:30

Below is backward-facing step 1 micron microchannel with 75% step height, 500 Reynolds number. Investigation is performed on velocity vector after step height. It appears that something interesting happen.

View 1, 5 pictures (further away from step height)

View 2, 5 pictures, same with View 1 (Further away from step height)

There appears a egg-alike shape after step height, when the recirculation zone is over. Why is this happen? Please help for anyone know. Thank you.

Far · May 23, 2012, 07:29

this seems to be the projection method problem. Select the proper projection method for plotting vectors.

Or this may be something new. I am not sure.

warlocklw · May 23, 2012, 08:23

Since this is about fluid velocity, I am quite sure it should already been discovered. The projection is view towards outlet, or view towards -z axis. Above views are set so that clear view of what happened can be observed. The flow type is set as laminar flow.

My original assumption is there are 2 forces acting on it. One is fluid kinetic flow at the center, another one is fluid viscosity towards call that drag the fluid. 2 forces acting on different direction, causing the egg shape things.

However, this egg shape not happen before step height. That's why I suspect step height has something to do with the formation of it. Please help, any reply is welcomed and appreciated. I will post any view required.

warlocklw · May 24, 2012, 05:39

I changed arrow shape and discovered that fluid at side flow upwards to fill the void created when the current flow down. The egg shape are vector between vector flow down at center and vector go up at side. This thread can be closed. Thanks for your help.

Far · May 24, 2012, 06:22

so that was the visualization problem?

warlocklw · May 24, 2012, 06:51

Can be say so, since the fluid near boundary flow at slow speed, the arrow is too small. When I normalized it, I can see the arrow direction clearly. And I notice that the horizontal and vertical line are actually arrowhead. Horizontal means fluid flow up and down, vertical means fluid flow left and right.

May 23, 2012, 06:30	Weird velocity vector shape after step height (BFS)	#1
warlocklw New Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 24 Rep Power: 15	Below is backward-facing step 1 micron microchannel with 75% step height, 500 Reynolds number. Investigation is performed on velocity vector after step height. It appears that something interesting happen. View 1, 5 pictures (further away from step height) View 2, 5 pictures, same with View 1 (Further away from step height) There appears a egg-alike shape after step height, when the recirculation zone is over. Why is this happen? Please help for anyone know. Thank you.

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May 23, 2012, 07:29		#2
Far Senior Member Sijal Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Islamabad Posts: 4,558 Blog Entries: 6 Rep Power: 54	this seems to be the projection method problem. Select the proper projection method for plotting vectors. Or this may be something new. I am not sure.

May 23, 2012, 08:23		#3
warlocklw New Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 24 Rep Power: 15	Since this is about fluid velocity, I am quite sure it should already been discovered. The projection is view towards outlet, or view towards -z axis. Above views are set so that clear view of what happened can be observed. The flow type is set as laminar flow. My original assumption is there are 2 forces acting on it. One is fluid kinetic flow at the center, another one is fluid viscosity towards call that drag the fluid. 2 forces acting on different direction, causing the egg shape things. However, this egg shape not happen before step height. That's why I suspect step height has something to do with the formation of it. Please help, any reply is welcomed and appreciated. I will post any view required.

May 24, 2012, 05:39		#4
warlocklw New Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 24 Rep Power: 15	I changed arrow shape and discovered that fluid at side flow upwards to fill the void created when the current flow down. The egg shape are vector between vector flow down at center and vector go up at side. This thread can be closed. Thanks for your help.

May 24, 2012, 06:22		#5
Far Senior Member Sijal Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Islamabad Posts: 4,558 Blog Entries: 6 Rep Power: 54	so that was the visualization problem?

May 24, 2012, 06:51		#6
warlocklw New Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 24 Rep Power: 15	Can be say so, since the fluid near boundary flow at slow speed, the arrow is too small. When I normalized it, I can see the arrow direction clearly. And I notice that the horizontal and vertical line are actually arrowhead. Horizontal means fluid flow up and down, vertical means fluid flow left and right.