Simulation of interaction of a vortex ring with a normally located flat target

The need to develop models and methods for calculating unsteady gas and fluid flows with concentrated vorticity is determined by the wide distribution of such flows in nature and technology. Numerical simulation of the formation of a vortex ring, its propagation and interaction with a flat target oriented normal to the direction of movement of the ring is considered. The construction of a model of a virtual generator of vortex rings and the choice of a set of parameters describing the generating pulse (pulse duration and its amplitude) are discussed. The computational domain consists of the internal region of the vortex ring generator and the external space region behind its outlet, in which the formation and movement of the vortex ring occurs. For numerical calculations, unsteady Navier–Stokes equations in an axisymmetric formulation are used, for discretization of which the finite volume method is applied. To simulate the flow generated by the movement of the piston in the tube, unsteady boundary conditions are used at the outlet of the generating tube, describing the distribution of mass flow rate over time. The distribution of pressure over the target and the change in the longitudinal force acting on the target over time, as well as the change in the characteristics of the vortex ring during its interaction with the target are given. The results of numerical calculations are compared with the data of a physical experiment. A qualitative pattern of the flow that occurs when a vortex ring approaches a wall is presented, and the key features of the flow and critical points that are formed during the interaction of the vortex ring with the wall are discussed.