Transient growth in the asymptotic suction boundary layer

• In the present experimental setup, the transient disturbance growth in a spatially invariant boundary layer flow, i.e., the asymptotic suction boundary layer (ASBL), has been investigated. The choice of the ASBL brings along several advantages compared with an ordinary spatially growing boundary layer. A unique feature of the ASBL is that the Reynolds number (Re) can be varied without changing the boundary layer thickness, which in turn allows for parameter variations not possible to carry out in traditional boundary layer flows. A spanwise array of discrete surface roughness elements was mounted on the surface to trigger modes with different spanwise wavenumbers (beta). It is concluded that for each mode there exists a threshold roughness Reynolds number (Re (k) ), below which no significant transient growth is present. The experimental data suggests that this threshold Re (k) is both a function of beta and Re. An interesting result is that the energy growth curves respond differently to a change in Re (k) when caused by a change in roughness height k, implying that Re remains constant, compared with a change in the free-stream velocity U(infinity), which also affects the Re. The scaling of the energy rowth curves both in level and the downstream direction is treated and appropriate scalings are found. The result shows a complex non-linear receptivity mechanism. Optimal perturbation theory, which has failed to predict the energy evolution in growing boundary layers, is tested for the ASBL and shows that it may satisfactorily predict the evolution of all transiently growing modes that are triggered by the roughness elements.

Ämnesord

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Maskinteknik -- Strömningsmekanik och akustik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Mechanical Engineering -- Fluid Mechanics and Acoustics (hsv//eng)

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