Effect of deflected inflow on flows in a strongly-curved 90 degree elbow

Iwamoto, Yukiharu*; Kusuzaki, Ryo*; Sogo, Motosuke*; Yasuda, Kazunori*; Yamano, Hidemasa   ; Tanaka, Masaaki  

Wall pressure measurements and flow visualization were conducted for a 90 degree elbow of which the axis curvature radius became the same as its inner diameter (125 mm). A deflected inflow, having an almost constant velocity slope, was introduced. Ensemble averaged pressure distributions showed no normalized pressure difference in cases of Reynolds numbers of 320,000 and 500,000. Comparisons with uniform inlet flow case proved; low-pressure region at the intrados of the elbow was weakened whereas a high pressure region outside strengthened in the deflected inflow case. Pressure distribution downstream of the elbow increased at the inside until two diameters downstream from the elbow exit. Flow visualization showed the pressure increase from collision of a strengthened secondary flow of extrados convection. The unsteady pressure distribution showed a circumferential extent of a strongly fluctuating region in and downstream the elbow decreased, comparing with the uniform inlet flow case.