Near-Wake Characteristics and Acoustic Resonance Excitation of Crimped Spirally Finned Cylinders in Cross-Flow

This paper presents an experimental investigation of the near-wake flow characteristics for isolated crimped spirally finned cylinders in cross-flow and its influence on the generated sound pressure during flow-excited acoustic resonance. Four crimped spirally finned cylinders are investigated, which have pitch-to-root diameter ratio (p/D-r) ranging between 0.384 <= p/D-r <= 1. A new equivalent diameter equation (D-r) has been developed to better capture the vortex shedding frequency emanating from the crimped spirally finned cylinders. The addition of crimped spiral fins reduces the coherence of the vortex shedding process as compared to that of a bare cylinder. Moreover, the addition of crimped spiral fins causes an elongation in the vortex formation region, as well as induces a larger velocity deficit in the near-wake. Reduction in the pitch-to-diameter ratio (p/D-r) leads to a progressive increase in the strength and coherence of the vortex shedding process. It also results in a gradual reduction in the vortex formation length and velocity deficit. The near-wake flow characteristics of the crimped spirally finned cylinders inherently affect the sound pressure during flow-excited acoustic resonance. Furthermore, the helical fins impose an asymmetrical inclination of the acoustic particle velocity. This hinders the flow-acoustic coupling, leading to a weakened energy transfer between the flow and sound fields. The findings of this investigation provide better understanding of the complex flow-sound interaction mechanism from crimped spirally finned cylinders in heat exchanger tube bundle.