State estimator of flow as an integrated computational method with the feedback of online experimental measurement

This paper deals with a state estimator or simply an observer of flow field. The observer, being a fundamental concept in the control system theory, also has a potential in the analysis of flow related problems as an integrated computational method with the aid of experiment. In the framework of the observer, the state of physical flow is estimated from the mathematical model with the feedback of on-line experimental measurement. A SIMPLER based flow simulation algorithm is used as the mathematical model of the real flow and partial experimental measurement of flow is fed back to the boundary condition through the feedback controller. The existence of the feedback-loop essentially distinguishes the observer from ordinary flow simulations. Time variation of the computational result of the observer is expected to converge exactly to that of the physical flow in the whole flow domain even for unstable turbulent flows. A numerical experiment has been performed to confirm the validity of the proposed observer for a turbulent flow through a duct of square cross section. The physical flow to be estimated is modeled by a numerical solution. Appropriate choice for the proportional feedback gain of the observer results in accelerated convergence of the simulation by a factor of 0.012 and reduced error in estimation of the perturbation velocity by a factor of 0.6 in the whole domain or a factor of 0.3 behind the output measurement plane in comparison with the ordinary flow simulation without feedback.