How to control undulating vortex rope?

AlexanderOhm · October 23, 2024, 02:20

Crystals in Las Vegas has an art installation by the shops that consists of a group of transparent water filled columns. Each sports a vortex that twist and turn, undulate and transition from thin stable vortex rope to misty chaotic whirlpool.

How do you think the water is controlled to achieve that?

LuckyTran · October 23, 2024, 05:55

It's a column vortex which has an analytical solution. Grashof number tells when it transitions to unstable condition.

FYI You can see this type of vortex every morning if you fill a sink with water and then drain it. The difference is, the plughole vortex in your sink has a fixed dP due to gravity and you get whatever you see. But if you install a little gas pump device, then you can freely alter the rate of gas entrainment and actively control the shape of the vortex. It probably takes forever to do the CFD but an instant Amazon purchase will let you experience such an effect and see the action in real time.

It's also a common demonstration to children where you connect two 2L soda bottles, fill it with water, and then flip it upside down and watch the vortex form.

October 23, 2024, 02:20	How to control undulating vortex rope?	#1
AlexanderOhm New Member Alexander Ohm Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Gothenburg, Sweden Posts: 1 Rep Power: 0	Crystals in Las Vegas has an art installation by the shops that consists of a group of transparent water filled columns. Each sports a vortex that twist and turn, undulate and transition from thin stable vortex rope to misty chaotic whirlpool. How do you think the water is controlled to achieve that? __________________ Me: www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-ohm Master thesis with OF, CFmesh, Dakota and Ruby: Automated CFD Optimisation of a Small Hydro Turbine for Water Distribution Networks

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October 23, 2024, 05:55		#2
LuckyTran Senior Member Lucky Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Orlando, FL USA Posts: 5,761 Rep Power: 66	It's a column vortex which has an analytical solution. Grashof number tells when it transitions to unstable condition. FYI You can see this type of vortex every morning if you fill a sink with water and then drain it. The difference is, the plughole vortex in your sink has a fixed dP due to gravity and you get whatever you see. But if you install a little gas pump device, then you can freely alter the rate of gas entrainment and actively control the shape of the vortex. It probably takes forever to do the CFD but an instant Amazon purchase will let you experience such an effect and see the action in real time. It's also a common demonstration to children where you connect two 2L soda bottles, fill it with water, and then flip it upside down and watch the vortex form.