Scaling of pressure drop for oscillatory flow through a slot

Reduced-order modeling and design of zero-net mass-flux actuators require an understanding of several fundamental flow mechanisms governing the performance of these devices. One such aspect is the pressure drop due to oscillatory flow through a slot. In this Brief Communication, we use numerical simulations and experiments to examine physics-based scaling laws for the various mechanisms that determine the net pressure drop, and critically evaluate a proposed phenomenological model for predicting the nonlinear component of the pressure drop in oscillatory slot flows. (C) 2007 American Institute of Physics.