Experimental investigation of turbulent flow inside a rectangular enclosure with a central partition

Flow through a rectangular enclosure with a central partition provides a convenient means of understanding the flow through passenger car cabins, clean rooms, operation theatres and other enclosed spaces. Flow through such a system is characterised by three-dimensionality and turbulence. The present experimental investigation involves measuring the complete flow field by the use of a Conrad probe and is aimed at studying the flow field in the presence of a fixed central partition. Vector plots in vertical planes perpendicular to the longitudinal and transverse axes and contour plots in transverse planes are presented and discussed. It is found that the fully developed turbulent flow issuing out of the inlet pipe shifts upwards from the centreline and elongates as it approaches the partition. The jet entrains the surrounding air and induces velocity in the other regions of the enclosure. In some regions, reverse flow is also observed. The flow enters the exit pipe with a swirl. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.