Abstract
In this study, we consider the characteristics of channel flow in the presence of an infinite streamwise array of equispaced identical rotating circular cylinders. This flow configuration can be regarded as a model representing a micro channel or an internal heat exchanger with cylindrical vortex generators. A numerical parametric study has been carried out by varying Reynolds number based on the bulk mean velocity and the cylinder diameter, and the gap between the cylinders and the channel wall for some selected angular speeds. An immersed boundary method was employed to facilitate implementing the cylinders on a Cartesian grid system. No-slip condition is employed at all solid boundaries including the cylinders, and the flow is assumed to be periodic in the streamwise direction. The presence of the rotating circular cylinders arranged periodically in the streamwise direction causes a significant topological change of the flow, leading to increase of mean friction on the channel walls. More quantitative results as well as qualitative physical explanations are presented to justify the effectiveness of rotating cylinders to modify flow topology, which might be used to enhance heat transfer on the channel walls.
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