Angular Velocity Formula for Turbulent Vortex Chamber Flows

Abstract

Vortex separators are increasingly utilized to remove suspended solids from stormwater runoff. Understanding flow patterns in a confined vortex chamber is crucial when investigating the mechanisms of liquid-solid separation. The angular velocity of fluid motion around the vertical axis is a dominant parameter for determining fluid flow patterns and particle trajectories in a rotational flow field. In this paper, an angular velocity formula, based on the angular-impulse momentum principle coupled with the Rankine vortex model, is derived under steady flow conditions. Comparison of predicted results using this formula to experimental data from a previous study indicates a general agreement. The derived formula can be used to estimate the angular velocity of the rotational flow field in vortex separators with tangential inlet and without internal components.