Transition to turbulence in slowly divergent pipe flow

TL;DR

This paper investigates how flow transitions to turbulence in slowly diverging pipes through combined experiments and simulations, revealing a critical velocity for recirculation and a subcritical turbulence transition.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the transition mechanisms in slowly diverging pipes, combining experimental and numerical methods to identify critical flow conditions and turbulence onset.

Findings

Existence of an axisymmetric recirculation cell dependent on diverging angle.

Critical flow velocity triggers the appearance of recirculation.

Flow transitions to turbulence in stages similar to sudden expansions and straight pipes.

Abstract

The results of a combined experimental and numerical study of the flow in slowly diverging pipes are presented. Interestingly, an axisymmetric conical recirculation cell has been observed. The conditions for its existence and the length of the cell are simulated for a range of diverging angles and expansion ratios. There is a critical velocity for the appearance of this state. When the flow rate increases further, a subcritical transition for localized turbulence arises. The transition and relaminarization experiments described here quantify the extent of turbulence. The findings suggest that the transition scenario in slowly diverging pipes is a combination of stages similar to those observed in sudden expansions and in straight circular pipe flow.