Three Dimensional Flow of Power Law Fluids Over a Circular Cylinder

Abstract

External flow across a circular cylinder has been investigated numerically by solving continuity and momentum equations using FLUENT (version 15) in the two and three dimensional steady and unsteady cross flow regime. The influence of the Reynolds number (0.01≤Re≤300), powerlaw index (n=0.4, 1.4, 0.6.0.8, 1, 1.8) on the local and global flow characteristics has been studied. In addition, flow patterns showing streamlines and the vorticity magnitude on the surface of the cylinder have also been presented to provide further physical insights in to the detailed flow kinematics. At first the 2D steady and unsteady results have been obtained and then the results for the 3D flows have been presented. The lift coefficient, drag coefficient, Recirculation Length, Strouhal number and Surface pressure coefficient shows a complex dependence on the Reynolds number and the power- law index. Variation of the vorticity profiles in the third direction showing the three dimensional flow characteristics have also been presented.