Three-dimensional instabilities in flow past a rotating cylinder

Mittal, S. (2004) Three-dimensional instabilities in flow past a rotating cylinder Journal of Applied Mechanics, 71 (1). pp. 89-95. ISSN 0021-8936

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Official URL: http://link.aip.org/link/?JAMCAV/71/89/1

Related URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1115/1.1631032

Abstract

Flow past a spinning circular cylinder placed in a uniform stream is investigated via three-dimensional computations. A stabilized finite element method is utilized to solve the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations in the primitive variables formulation. The Reynolds number based on the cylinder diameter and freestream speed of the flow is 200. The nondimensional rotation rate, α, (ratio of the surface speed and freestream speed) is 5. It is found that although the two-dimensional flow for α=5 is stable, centrifugal instabilities exist along the entire span in a three-dimensional set-up. In addition, a "no-slip" side-wall can result in separation of flow near the cylinder ends. Both these effects lead to a loss in lift and increase in drag. The end conditions and aspect ratio of the cylinder play an important role in the flow past a spinning cylinder. It is shown that the Prandtl's limit on the maximum lift generated by a spinning cylinder in a uniform flow does not hold.

Item Type:Article
Source:Copyright of this article belongs to American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
Keywords:Finite Element Analysis; Rotation; Navier-stokes Equations; Flow Instability
ID Code:24699
Deposited On:30 Nov 2010 09:25
Last Modified:17 May 2016 08:20

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