This computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation shows the start-up of a two-dimensional, ideal rocket nozzle. Starting a rocket engine or supersonic wind tunnel is more complicated than its subsonic counterpart because it’s necessary for a shockwave to pass completely through the engine (or tunnel), leaving supersonic flow in its wake. Here the situation is further complicated by turbulent boundary layers along the nozzle walls. (Video credit: B. Olson)
Tag: boundary layer
Bristling Scales Give Sharks Speed
The shortfin mako shark is one of the ocean’s fastest and most agile hunters, thanks in part to flexible scales along its body. As water flows around the shark’s body, the scales bristle to angles in excess of 60 degrees. This causes turbulence in the boundary layer along the shark’s body and prevents boundary layer separation which would otherwise increase the shark’s drag. In this respect, the scales serve much the same purpose as dimples on a golf ball. (Abstract, National Geographic article) #
Turbulence Near the Wall
This photo shows a flow visualization of a turbulent boundary layer at Mach 2.8. The direction of flow is from right to left. In nature, the boundary layer between a surface and a fluid is usually turbulent but impossible to see. The visualization represents an instantaneous snapshot of the flow. Turbulence is known for its intermittency–its strong variation in time–a characteristic that is clear just from comparing the two snapsnots. #
The No-Slip Condition
Viscosity plays an important role near surfaces in fluid mechanics. Friction between the fluid and the solid surface creates a “no slip” condition at the wall. In the video, dye injected near the wall remains there because there is little or no velocity of the fluid near the wall. As the dye filament is pulled away, the speed of the bulk flow–the freestream–is apparent. A strong velocity gradient exists between the wall and the freestream; this narrow region of changing velocity is called a boundary layer and is a major topic of research due to its importance in determining drag and thermal loads on vehicles.
