Visualization Studies using PIV in a Cylindrical Tank with and without Vortex Suppressor

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Mizuki, S. | Gowda, B.H.L. | Uchibaba, T.

Affiliations: Fluid Mechanics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Hosei University, Tokyo 184-8584, Japan. Tel: +81-42-387-6155; E-mail: [email protected] | Fluid Mechanics Laboratory, Department of Applied Mechanics, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras-600036, India

Abstract: Vortexing occurs during draining from tanks which reduces the rate of outflow. The phenomenon is augmented by initial rotation. The use of a vortex suppressor in a circular tank prevents vortexing. The reasons for the suppression of the vortexing are not clear. In this paper quantitative flow visualization results using PIV are presented which bring out the flow structure under various conditions. The suppressor leads to a faster decay in the rotational component.

Keywords: Visualization, PIV, Rotation, Vortex, Suppressor

Journal: Journal of Visualization, vol. 6, no. 4, pp. 337-342, 2003