A Finite-Difference Scheme for Three-Dimensional Incompressible Flows in Cylindrical Coordinates

Abstract

A finite-difference scheme for the direct simulation of the incompressible time-dependent three-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations in cylindrical coordinates is presented. The equations in primitive variables (vr,vθ,vzandp) are solved by a fractional-step method together with an approximate-factorization technique. Cylindrical coordinates are singular at the axis; the introduction of the radial fluxqr=r·vron a staggered grid simplifies the treatment of the region atr= 0. The method is tested by comparing the evolution of a free vortex ring and its collision with a wall with the theory, experiments, and other numerical results. The formation of a tripolar vortex, where the highest vorticity is atr= 0, is also considered. Finally to emphasize the accurate treatment near the axis, the motion of a Lamb dipole crossing the origin is simulated.