Effects of Geometry on Strong Free-Surface Vortices in Subcritical Approach Flows
Publication: Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 142, Issue 11
Abstract
Strong free-surface vortices are employed extensively in the hydraulic engineering industry in areas such as flow regulation, energy dissipation, and energy generation. Despite their long history of use, the literature on strong free-surface vortices appears to lack detailed experimental investigations, particularly with regard to subcritical approach flows. This paper reports a comprehensive experimental program that was implemented on 12 scaled vortex chamber geometries to identify the key dependent hydraulic parameters. Two-dimensional (2D) laser particle tracking velocimetry (PTV) was employed to determine the field circulation, . It was found that the field circulation and, hence, the circulation number () is strongly dependent on the approach flow geometry, which was characterized by a nondimensional approach flow factor, comprising the approach flow, depth , and geometric factor, . The discharge number () varied inversely with the circulation number following relationships governed by two further empirical parameters: the constant () and exponent (). Specific to each geometry, empirical models that related these terms to the approach flow geometry are presented. These findings collectively deliver an alternative simple model to determine the depth-discharge relationship in vortex flows. The values of the radial Reynolds (Rr) number and Weber number (W) in the experiments suggested that the model should be scalable according to the criteria of previous studies. This has been supported by a validation using two prototype systems reported in the literature producing errors of less than 15%. Finally, two new flow classes in describing vortex flows have been defined: transitionally subcritical, when ; and unstably subcritical, when the nondimensional approach flow factor for relatively large approach flow depths.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to express their gratitude to the Irish Research Council for the financial support of this study.
References
Ackers, P., and Crump, E. S. (1960). “The vortex drop.” ICE Proc., 16(4), 433–442.
Adami, A. (1967). “Analisi del moto in uno scaricatore a vortice.” Istituto di Idraulica, Milan, Italy (in Italian).
Adrian, R. J. (1991). “Particle-imaging techniques for experimental fluid mechanics.” Ann. Rev. Fluid Mech., 23(1), 261–304.
Anwar, H. (1965). “Flow in a free vortex.” Water Power, 4, 153–161.
Anwar, H. (1968). “Prevention of vortices at intakes.” Water Power, 20(10), 393–401.
Anwar, H. O. (1966). “Formation of a weak vortex.” J. Hydraul. Res., 4(1), 1–16.
Anwar, H. O., and Amimilett, M. (1980). “Vortices at vertically inverted intake.” J. Hydraul. Res., 18(2), 123–134.
Binnie, A., and Hookings, G. (1948). “Laboratory experiments on whirlpools.” Proc., R. Soc. London Ser. A Math. Phys. Sci., 194(1038), 398–415.
Brombach, H. (1982). “Flow control for the outlets from stormwater retention basins.” Wasserwirtschaft, 72(2), 44–52.
Buckingham, E. (1915). “The principle of similitude.” Nature, 96(2406), 396–397.
Ciaravino, G., and Ciaravino, L. (2007). “Verification of an alternative mathematical model for design of vortex dropshafts.” Proc., Congress, Int. Association for Hydraulic Research (IAHR), IAHR, 677.
Ciaravino, G., Galasso, V., Mancini, P., and Pulci Doria, G. (1987). “A mathematical model for vortex shaft: Theory and experimental control.” IAHR World Congress, IAHR.
Conway, A. (1971). Guide to fluidics, Macdonald, London.
Daggett, L. L., and Keulegan, G. H. (1974). “Similitude conditions in free-surface vortex formations.” J. Hydraul. Div., 100(11), 1565–1581.
Del Giudice, G., Gisonni, C., and Rasulo, G. (2009). “Vortex drop shaft for supercritical flow.” Advances in water resources and hydraulic engineering, Springer, New York, 1515–1520.
Dhakal, S., et al. (2015). “Comparison of cylindrical and conical basins with optimum position of runner: Gravitational water vortex power plant.” Renewable Sustainable Energy Rev., 48, 662–669.
Drioli, C. (1947). “Su un particolare tipo di imbocco per pozzi di scarico (scaricatore idraulico a vortice).” L’Energia Elettrica, 24(10), 447–452 (in Italian).
Drioli, C. (1969). “Esperienze su installazioni con pozzo di scarico a vortice.” L’Energia Elettrica, 66(6), 399–409 (in Italian).
Echávez, G., and Ruiz, G. (2008). “High head drop shaft structure for small and large discharges.” Proc., 11th Int. Conf. on Urban Drainage, Joint Committee of IAHR/IWA.
Einstein, H. A., and Li, H. (1955). “Le vortex permanent dans un fluide réel.” La Houille Blanche, 4, 483–496.
Hager, W. H. (1985). “Head-discharge relation for vortex shaft.” J. Hydraul. Eng., 1015–1020.
Hager, W. H. (1990). “Vortex drop inlet for supercritical approaching flow.” J. Hydraul. Eng., 1048–1054.
Hager, W. H. (2010). Wastewater hydraulics: Theory and practice, Springer Science & Business Media, New York.
Jain, A. K., Garde, R. J., and Ranga Raju, K. G. (1978). “Vortex formation at vertical pipe intakes.” J. Hydraul. Div., 104(10), 1429–1445.
Jain, S. C. (1984). “Tangential vortex-inlet.” J. Hydraul. Eng., 1693–1699.
Jain, S. C., and Ettema, R. (1987). “Vortex-flow intakes.” Swirling flow problems at intakes, IAHR hydraulic structures design manual, J. E. Knauss, Balkema, Rotterdam, Netherlands, 125–137.
Jain, S. C., and Kennedy, J. F. (1983). Vortex-flow drop structures for the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District inline storage system, Iowa Institute of Hydraulic Research, Univ. of Iowa, IA.
Kellenberger, M. H. (1988). “Wirbelfallschächte in der Kanalisationstechnik.” Mitteilungen der Versuchsanstalt fur Wasserbau, Hydrologie und Glaziologie an der Eidgenossischen Technischen Hochschule, Vol. 98, Zurich, Switzerland, 1–367 (in German).
Knapp, F. H. (1960). Ausfluss, Überfall und Durchfluss im Wasserbau: eine angewandte Hydraulik auf physikalischer Grundlage, G. Braun, Salenstein, Switzerland (in German).
Knauss, J. E. (1987). Swirling flow problems at intakes, A. A. Balkema, Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Kolf, R., and Zielinski, P. (1959). “The vortex chamber as an automatic flow-control device.” J. Hydraul. Div., 85(12), 1–8.
Laushey, L. M., and Mavis, F. T. (1952). “Flow in vertical shafts.” Algheny County Sanitary Authority, Dept. of Civil Engineering and Construction, Carnegie Institute of Technology, Pittsburgh.
Levi, E. (1983). “A fluidic vortex device for water treatment processes.” J. Hydraul. Res., 21(1), 17–31.
Li, H.-F., Chen, H.-X., Zheng, M., and Yi, Z. (2008). “Experimental and numerical investigation of free surface vortex.” J. Hydrodyn., Ser. B, 20(4), 485–491.
Möller, G. (2013). “Vortex-induced air entrainment rate at intakes.” Ph.D. dissertation, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule ETH Zürich, Switzerland.
Motzet, K. M., and Valentin, F. (2002). “Efficiency of a vortex chamber with horizontal bottom under supercritical flow.” 9th Int. Conf. on Urban Drainage, Urban Water Resources Research Council of the Environmental Water Resources Institute of ASCE, International Association for Hydraulic Research, Joint Committee on Urban Drainage of the International Water Association.
Pica, M. (1968). “Discussion: Scale effects in swirling flow.” Universita Di Napoli Istituti Idraulici, Milan, Italy.
Pica, M. (1970). “Scaricatori a vortice.” L’Energia Elettrica, 47(4), 1–18.
Posey, C., and Hsu, H. (1950). “How the vortex affects orifice discharge.” Eng. News, 144(30).
Quick, M. C. (1961). “A study of the free spiral vortex.” Ph.D. thesis, Univ. of Bristol, Bristol, U.K.
Quick, M. C. (1990). “Analysis of spiral vortex and vertical slot vortex drop shafts.” J. Hydraul. Eng., 309–325.
Stevens, J. C., and Kolf, R. C. (1959). “Vortex flow through horizontal orifices.” Trans. Am. Soc. Civ. Eng., 124(1), 871–883.
Suerich-Gulick, I. F. (2013). “Axial stretching, viscosity, surface tension and turbulence in free surface vortices at low-head hydropower intakes.” Ph.D. thesis, McGill Univ., Switzerland.
Sun, H., and Liu, Y. (2015). “Theoretical and experimental study on the vortex at hydraulic intakes.” J. Hydraul. Res., 53(6), 787–796.
Taştan, K., and Yildirim, N. (2010). “Effects of dimensionless parameters on air-entraining vortices.” J. Hydraul. Res., 48(1), 57–64.
Vatistas, G., Lin, S., and Kwok, C. (1986). “Theoretical and experimental studies on vortex chamber flows.” AIAA J., 24(4), 635–642.
Viparelli, M. (1950). “Su un particolare tipo di imbocco e sull’efflusso con vortice.” L’Energia Elettrica, 27(10), 610–624 (in Italian).
Viparelli, M. (1954). “Trasporto di aria da parte di correnti idriche in condotti chiusi.” L’Energia Elettrica, 31(11), 813–826 (in Italian).
Weller, J. A. (1974). “Similitude in free-surface vortex formations; Discussion of Daggett & Keulegan.” J. Hydraul. Div., 101, HY11.
Yu, D., and Lee, J. H. (2009). “Hydraulics of tangential vortex intake for urban drainage.” J. Hydraul. Eng., 164–174.
Zhao, C. H., Zhu, D. Z., Sun, S.-K., and Liu, Z.-P. (2006). “Experimental study of flow in a vortex drop shaft.” J. Hydraul. Eng., 61–68.
Zielinski, P. B., and Villemonte, J. R. (1968). “The effect of viscosity on vortex-orifice flow.” J. Hydraul. Div., 94(HY3), 745–752.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Copyright
© 2016 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jun 4, 2015
Accepted: Apr 14, 2016
Published online: Jul 12, 2016
Published in print: Nov 1, 2016
Discussion open until: Dec 12, 2016
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.