ABSTRACT
A combined numerical and experimental visualization of fast-evolving thermo-fluid phenomena in oscillatory viscous flows is presented for geometries composed of periodically interrupted surfaces such as those encountered in compact heat exchangers. The spatially-periodic, geometric inhomogeneities induce traveling waves that produce self-sustained oscillations. The oscillatory thermal phenomena are visualized experimentally by means of real-time holographic interferometry. The transient temperature fields are recorded using high-speed cinematography. Digital image processing was implemented in the evaluation of the interferogram sequences. The numerical approach is based on direct numerical simulation of the unaveraged Navier- Stokes and energy equations. The high volume of numerical data generated on the Cray Y-MP is presented both in computer-aided animation form and as instantaneous plots.