Articolo in rivista, 2020, ENG, 10.1103/physrevfluids.5.110509

Unraveling the interplay of two counter-rotating helical vortices

Alessandro Capone Francisco Alves Pereira

CNR-INM

Our experiments examine the interaction between two coaxially aligned helical vortex systems induced by two counter-rotating propellers of slightly different diameters operating in a water tunnel. Visualizations show that the two helix structures merge and breakup in the regions of closest distance and strongest vorticity. A reconnection process follows, resulting in the formation of isolated vortex rings advected by the accelerated flow of the propeller system.

Physical review fluids (Online) 5 (11)

Keywords

Vortex flows, flow instabilities, Vortex reconnection

CNR authors

Capone Alessandro, Alves Pereira Francisco

CNR institutes

INM – Istituto di iNgegneria del Mare