The Response of Injection of Vortex Generator Jets to a Backward Facing Step Flow

In this paper, the flow behavior of a reattachment process over a backward facing step flow is reported. The reattachment process is controlled by injection of vortex generator jets. The injection of jets upstream of the step produces the co-rotating longitudinal vortices in a separating shear layer. The experiment of the step response of the injection jet is also conducted in order to investigate the evolution process of the longitudinal vortices. A large scale of primary and counter vortices are observed, when the velocity ratio of the free stream to injected jet is 6. The detailed structure of the longitudinal vortices is clarified. The remarkable effect of the vortices on the separating shear layer downstream of the step is observed.Copyright © 2003 by ASME