FLOW OVER CYLINDER ANALYSIS USING ANSYS 2023R1

Submitted to: submitted by:

Prof. Devanuri Jaya Krishna V. Kumar(23MEM1R18)

 FLOW OVER CYLINDER ANALYSIS USING ANSYS 2023R1
Vangala Kumar
23MEM1R18

Vangala Kumar
Student, Department of Mechanical Engineering
National Institute of Technology Warangal
Warangal-506004, Telangana, India
Email: [email protected]

Abstract: This study presents a computational analysis of flow over a cylinder using ANSYS
Fluent, a widely used computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software package. The Navier-Stokes
equations, governing the flow of an incompressible fluid, are solved numerically to simulate the
flow behavior around a circular cylinder. Various flow regimes are investigated to understand the
influence of Reynolds number on the flow characteristics. The effects of different boundary
conditions, such as inlet velocity profile and cylinder diameter, are also analyzed. Additionally,
the formation of vortices, wake structure, lift coefficient and drag coefficient are examined to
provide insights into the flow physics. The results of the simulation are validated against
experimental data and existing numerical solutions to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the
computational model.
Keywords: incompressible fluid, Navier stokes equation, Reynolds number, vortices, drag
coefficient (Cd), lift coefficient (Cl).

Introduction:
Flow over a cylinder is a fundamental problem in fluid dynamics that has been extensively studied
due to its relevance in various engineering applications. Understanding the flow behaviours around
a cylinder is essential for optimizing the design and performance of structures exposed to fluid
flow, such as heat exchangers, cooling towers, offshore structures, and bluff bodies like vehicles
and buildings. The study of flow over a cylinder involves intricate fluid mechanics phenomena
such as vortex shedding, boundary layer separation, and wake formation, all of which significantly
influence the drag forces, heat transfer rates, and structural stability of the cylinder.
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) has revolutionized the analysis and prediction of fluid flow
phenomena by enabling numerical simulations based on the fundamental governing equations of
fluid motion. ANSYS Fluent, a leading CFD software package, provides engineers and researchers
with sophisticated tools to simulate and analyze complex flow problems accurately and efficiently.
By utilizing ANSYS Fluent, researchers can investigate the flow characteristics around a cylinder
under different flow conditions, geometries, and fluid properties, offering insights that are crucial
for design optimization and performance prediction.
In this study, we present a computational analysis of flow over a cylinder using ANSYS Fluent.
The Navier-Stokes equations, which describe the conservation of momentum and mass for a fluid,
are solved numerically to simulate the flow field around a circular cylinder. The study aims to
explore various flow regimes, ranging from laminar to turbulent, and to investigate the effects of
Reynolds number, cylinder diameter, and boundary conditions on the flow behavior. By
conducting parametric studies and sensitivity analyses, we seek to provide comprehensive insights
into the flow physics and phenomena associated with flow over a cylinder.

Literature review:
Rajani et al. 2009[1]The present paper focuses on the analysis of two- and three-dimensional flow
past a circular cylinder in different laminar flow regimes. In this simulation, an implicit pressure-
based finite volume method is used for time-accurate computation of incompressible flow using
second order accurate convective flux discretization schemes. The computation results are
validated against measurement data for mean surface pressure, skin friction coefficients, the size
and strength of the recirculating wake for the steady flow regime and also for the Strouhal
frequency of vortex shedding and the mean and RMS amplitude of the fluctuating aerodynamic
coefficients for the unsteady periodic flow regime. Behara et al. 2010[2] Oblique shedding in the
laminar regime for the flow past a nominally two-dimensional circular cylinder has been
investigated numerically via a stabilized finite element method. No-slip condition on one of the
sidewalls leads to the formation of a boundary layer which promotes oblique vortex shedding.
Computations are carried out for three values of Reynolds number (Re) are 60, 100, and 150.
Parnaudeau et al. 2008[3]This work contributes to the study of flow over a circular cylinder at
Reynolds number Re =3900. Although this classical flow is widely documented in the literature,
especially for this precise Reynolds number that leads to a subcritical flow regime, there is no
consensus about the turbulence statistics immediately just behind the obstacle. Here, the flow is
investigated both numerically with large eddy simulation and experimentally with hot-wire
anemometry and particle image velocimetry. The numerical simulation is performed using high-
order schemes and a specific immersed boundary method. Catalano et al. 2003[4]The viability and
accuracy of large-eddy simulation (LES) with wall modeling for high Reynolds number complex
turbulent flows is investigated by considering the flow around a circular cylinder in the
supercritical regime. A simple wall stress model is employed to provide approximate boundary
conditions to the LES. The results are compared with those obtained from steady and unsteady
Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) solutions and the available experimental data.

Numerical Methodology & Grid Independence:

Properties of air

Density 𝜌 = 1 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3

Viscosity 𝜇 = 0.01 Pa-s

Velocity inlet(v)=1m/sec
Diameter of cylinder(d)=1m
𝜌𝑣𝑑
Reynolds number(Re) = =100
𝜇

Fig.1: Schematic of flow over cylinder

Assumption taken to simplify the problem are:

• The Flow is Two Dimensional

• Incompressible Fluid Flow
• Newtonian Fluid inside the cavity
• Steady Flow
• Laminar Flow
The Navier-Stokes equations are a set of partial differential equations used to describe the flow
of fluids. In those equations, velocity, pressure, temperature, density, and viscosity are the main
properties that should be considered simultaneously when conducting the fluid flow
examination.

Continuity equation:

𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑣
+ =0
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦

X- Momentum equation:

𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑝 𝜕 2𝑢 𝜕 2𝑢
𝜌 (𝑢 +𝑣 )= − + 𝜇( 2 + )
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 2

Y- Momentum equation:

𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑝 𝜕 2𝑣 𝜕 2𝑣
𝜌 (𝑢 +𝑣 )= − + 𝜇( 2 + )
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 2
 Now we will non-dimensionalise the continuity and momentum equations before proceeding
further. To make them non dimensional we will use similarity variables which are defined as:
𝑢 𝑣 𝑥 𝑦 𝑡𝑢
𝑢∗ = , 𝑣∗ = , 𝑥∗ = , 𝑦∗ = , 𝑡∗ =
𝑈 𝑉 𝐿 𝐿 𝑑

Non dimensional form of equation are as following:

Continuity equation:

𝜕𝑢∗ 𝜕𝑣 ∗
+ =0
𝜕𝑥 ∗ 𝜕𝑦 ∗

X- Momentum equation:

𝜕𝑢∗ 𝜕𝑢∗ 𝜕𝑝∗ 1 𝜕 2 𝑢∗ 𝜕 2 𝑢∗

(𝑢∗ + 𝑣 ∗
) = − + ( + )
𝜕𝑥 ∗ 𝜕𝑦 ∗ 𝜕𝑥 ∗ 𝑅𝑒 𝜕𝑥 ∗ 2 𝜕𝑦 ∗ 2

Y- Momentum equation:

𝜕𝑣 ∗ 𝜕𝑣 ∗ 𝜕𝑝∗ 1 𝜕 2𝑣 ∗ 𝜕 2𝑣 ∗
(𝑢∗ + 𝑣 ∗
) = − + ( + )
𝜕𝑥 ∗ 𝜕𝑦 ∗ 𝜕𝑦 ∗ 𝑅𝑒 𝜕𝑥 ∗ 2 𝜕𝑦 ∗ 2

A grid independence test is conducted to ensure that the solution obtained from a numerical
simulation is not significantly affected by the size or resolution of the computational grid.

Fig.2: Grid independence test

Results and Discussion:

Analysis of the wake behind the cylinder revealed its size, shape, and velocity distribution,
providing insights into flow stability and energy dissipation.

The velocity contour for the Reynolds number (Re)=100

Fig.3: Velocity contour (Re=100)

The variation of coefficient of drag over the cylinder

Fig.4: Coefficient of drag (Cd) vs flow time(sec)

 Variation of coefficient of lift over the cylinder

Fig.5: coefficient of lift (Cl) vs flow time(sec)

Conclusions:
These findings have significant implications for various engineering applications, including
vehicle aerodynamics, marine engineering, and heat exchanger design. Understanding flow over a
cylinder is essential for improving the performance and efficiency of cylindrical structures in real-
world scenarios.
Looking ahead, several avenues for future research present themselves. Further investigation into
the mechanisms governing vortex shedding and wake dynamics could enhance our understanding
of flow behavior and lead to more accurate predictive models. Additionally, exploring advanced
simulation techniques and experimental methods can improve the fidelity and reliability of flow
over cylinder studies.
References:
[1] B. N. Rajani, A. Kandasamy, and S. Majumdar, “Numerical simulation of laminar flow past a
circular cylinder,” Appl Math Model, vol. 33, no. 3, pp. 1228–1247, Mar. 2009, doi:
10.1016/j.apm.2008.01.017.

[2] S. Behara and S. Mittal, “Flow past a circular cylinder at low Reynolds number: Oblique vortex
shedding,” Physics of Fluids, vol. 22, no. 5, pp. 1–14, 2010, doi: 10.1063/1.3410925.

[3] P. Parnaudeau, J. Carlier, D. Heitz, and E. Lamballais, “Experimental and numerical studies of the
flow over a circular cylinder at Reynolds number 3900,” Physics of Fluids, vol. 20, no. 8, 2008,
doi: 10.1063/1.2957018.
[4] P. Catalano, M. Wang, G. Iaccarino, and P. Moin, “Numerical simulation of the flow around a
circular cylinder at high Reynolds numbers,” Int J Heat Fluid Flow, vol. 24, no. 4, pp. 463–469,
2003, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0142-727X(03)00061-4.