It is well known that a peculiar turbulent lump called a “puff” appears in a transitional pipe flow. The puff is stable and has a self-sustained mechanism. Several authors have reported on remarkable characteristics of puffs. However, the condition for the generation of puffs has hardly been studied, because it is very difficult to measure the flow properties simultaneously at different axial locations without disturbing the downstream condition. In order to know the generation, two specially designed hot wires were set upstream to measure the initial growth of the puff, and a third wire was located far downstream for detection of equilibrium puffs. Experiments were made at Reynolds numbers near 2200. In two inlet conditions of the pipe, the effect of the strength of inlet disturbances on the generation was investigated. As a result, conditions for the generation and growth of puffs were clarified.
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