Visualization of two-dimensional wakes by using a film tunnel

• Grant number: 16/05949-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2016
• End date: January 31, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Transport Phenomena
• Principal Investigator: Erick de Moraes Franklin
• Grantee: Mateus Feitosa Armagne Rocha
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia Mecânica (FEM). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Downstream of a blunt body, fluid flows present a region full of vortices, called wake. Although wakes are usually three-dimensional structures, the study of two-dimensional wakes is important to understand some physical mechanisms. One example is related to the wakes present when small animals, like worms, displace on the free-surface of a liquid. In this case, experiments with 2D wakes are important to understand how these animals displace and reproduce, contributing then to the fight against some plagues as, for example, the Aedes Aegypti. Another example is related to 2D numerical simulations, frequently performed in industry and university. In this case, experiments with 2D wakes may help to validate those numerical simulations. A way to perform 2D experiments is by using the so-called Film Tunnels. These tunnels consist basically of a film of a mixture of water and a surfactant, a blunt body positioned orthogonally to the film, a light source, and a camera. Because the film at the wake region has a small thickness (of around 10 ¼m with variations of 0,1 ¼m), the wake is visualized as a result of interference fringes visible on the liquid film. The objectives of this IC project are to conceive and construct a film tunnel for experiments on two-dimensional wakes. In addition, experiments on 2D wakes generated by cylinders (and maybe other bodies) will be performed.