Flow in a Rectangular Diffuser With Local Flow Detachment in the Corner Region

Abstract

An experimental study was conducted in order to examine the nature of flow within a high-inlet-aspect-ratio rectangular diffuser with locally detached flow in the corner region, but attached flow elsewhere in the diffuser. The results include flow visualization data corresponding to tuft and oil flow patterns observed on the diffuser walls and flow angle data taken in the immediate vicinity of the corner. Axial mean velocity distributions and local wall shear stress profiles are also presented. Analysis of the results provides new insight into the structure of separated, three-dimensional corner flows, wherein combined attached and detached flow conditions exist simultaneously at each streamwise location.