Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 April 2006
Laminar flow through slots is investigated using a flow-visualization technique and the numerical solution of the Navier-Stokes equations for steady flow. In the flow situation studied here, the fluid enters an upper channel blocked at the rear end and leaves through a lower channel blocked at the front end. The two channels are interconnected by one, two and three slots. The flow-visualization technique effectively brings out the various features of the flow through slot(s). The ratio of the slot width to the channel height w/h is varied between 0.5 to 4.0 and the Reynolds number Re, based on the velocity at the entry to the channel and the height of the channel, is varied between 300 and 2000. Both w/h and Re influence the flow in general and the extent of the regions of recirculating flow in particular. The Reynolds number at which the vortex shedding begins depends on w/h. Computations are carried out using the computer code 2/E/FIX of Pun & Spalding (1977). The computed flow patterns closely resemble the observed patterns at various Reynolds numbers investigated except around the Reynolds number where the vortex shedding begins.