Influence of splitter plate on the reverse flow in a channel

Abstract

Reverse flow inside a parallel plate channel can be achieved by placing an obstruction at the entry. The present work is carried out to study the influence of (i) splitter plates behind the flat plate obstruction at the front end and (ii) splitter plates placed at the rear end of the channel in tandem with the obstruction at the front. The results show that the splitter plate at the front end has a slight unfavourable effect due to a little reduction in the reverse flow. However, when the splitter plate is placed at the rear end, it interferes with the alternate formation and shedding of vortices near the rear end. This interference depends upon the length of the splitter plate and also on its position relative to the exit of the test channel. The resulting flow field causes an increase in the magnitude of the reverse flow which remains constant over a wide range of splitter plate positions.

On the mechanism of reverse flow in a channel with an obstruction at the entry

“…Tulapurkara et al (1994) have reported the in uence of the width of the obstruction relative to the test channel width and also when obstructions are placed both at the front and the rear ends of the test channel. Further, Gowda et al (1997) studied the in uence of a splitter plate at front and rear ends on the reverse ow phenomenon. The aim of the aforesaid studies was basically to increase the magnitude of the reverse ow.…”

A numerical study on the mechanism of reverse flow in a channel without obstruction at the entry

“…In subsequent studies, various facets of the phenomenon like the influence of the geometry of the obstruction (Gowda et al, 1993), the effect of obstructions placed both at the entry and the rear of the test channel (Tulapurkara et al, 1994), and the influence of splitter plates (Gowda et al, 1997) were investigated. In subsequent studies, various facets of the phenomenon like the influence of the geometry of the obstruction (Gowda et al, 1993), the effect of obstructions placed both at the entry and the rear of the test channel (Tulapurkara et al, 1994), and the influence of splitter plates (Gowda et al, 1997) were investigated.…”

Reverse flow in a square duct with an obstruction at the entry

“…Using semicircular scoops at the rear end and a flat plate at the front end, a maximum reverse flow of 83% of the free stream velocity was achieved. Gowda et al [5] investigated the influence of splitter plates a) when placed at the front end and b) when placed at the rear end. For the latter, a maximum reverse flow of 37% of the free stream velocity was obtained.…”