Instability of the radial flow over a rotating disk in a separated edgewise stream

We present velocity field measurements showing the instability of the radial flow over a rotating disk in a separated flow due to an edgewise freestream. A uniform edgewise stream significantly modifies the radial jet profile. Under separated flow conditions, co-rotating vortical structures form at the edge of the radial jet layer. The results establish that the discrete structures formed in the breakup of the radial flow layer on a rotor blade in retreating blade stall are also seen in the case of flow over a rotating disk. (C) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC.