Aeroacoustic Source Distribution in an Inline Tube Array With a Pitch Ratio of 3

The flow induced acoustics in an inline tube bank (P/d = 3) subject to cross flow, indicative of a generic heat exchanger geometry, are examined over a range of flow velocities using particle image velocimetry (PIV) coupled with acoustic modal analysis using finite element analysis (FEA). The objective is twofold: to determine if the method originally developed for tandem cylinders is applicable to more geometrically complex configurations, with more restricted optical access; and hence to investigate the spatial distribution of acoustic sources within the tube array. The spatial and temporal aeroacoustic source distribution has been successfully obtained experimentally for the case of Strouhal acoustic coincidence (i.e., f_a = f_v). It is found that the acoustic sources are most intense behind the first row due to the spatial compactness of the vortices. However, a strong negative source (i.e., a sink) is also present in this location, so that the net contribution of the first row wake is small. In subsequent rows, the sources are weaker and more dispersed, but the sink is reduced dramatically. The result is that after the first row the remaining rows of the array contributes energy to the acoustic field. It is noted that, for the coincidence case in the tube bundle studied here, the spatial distribution of sources in the region around the first and second row is similar to the precoincidence regime found for tandem cylinders. This apparent contradiction requires further investigation. Nonetheless, it is concluded that the method of combining PIV with FEA to determine the source distribution can be applied to more complex geometries than previously reported.