Reverse flow in a channel with an obstruction at the entry

In this study the flow through and around a parallel-walled channel with an obstruction (flat plate) placed at the channel inlet is investigated. Depending on the position of the obstruction, the flow inside the channel is in a direction opposite to that outside, stagnant or in the same direction as outside but with reduced magnitude. Flow visualization in water is used to examine the fluid motion, although some wind tunnel measurements have been made and are also reported. The parameters that have been varied are the gap between the obstruction and the entry to the channel, the length of the channel and the Reynolds number. The maximum value of the reverse flow velocity is found to be about 20 % of that of the flow outside. The maximum forward velocity inside the channel (when it occurs) is only about 65% of the outside velocity even for very large gaps between the obstruction and the channel entrance. A tentative explanation is offered for the observed features. © 1989, Cambridge University Press. All rights reserved.