Aerodynamic disturbances of hot-wire probes and directional sensitivity

Experimental study of the flow field disturbance in the vicinity of single sensor hot-wire anemometer

Preliminary experimental study of the flow field disturbance in the vicinity of single sensor normal hot-wire anemometer (SN) probe was carried out. Regular 2D particle image velocimetry (PIV) setup equipped with micro lens and distance rings was applied to measurements of macroscopic flow around microscopic elements. Experimental results revealed complexity of the flow around the wire and its strong dependence on both – the velocity magnitude and the probe orientation in relation to freestream direction. Examination of the velocity fields in the vicinity of SN probe suggests that it may not be such a “point” measurement method as it is commonly assumed to be.