CFD analysis of turbulent forced convection over a spinning cylinder in an enclosed channel

Abstract

• More practical scenario of speed ratio has been used in this study • Blockage ratio affects both the flow and thermal fields • Rotational velocity and direction do not affect the flow or thermal field • Bulk flow Reynolds number influences both thermal and flow fields • Pressure drag dominates over viscous drag at higher Reynolds number A CFD approach has been used to analyze fully developed turbulent flow and heat transport over a spinning hot circular solid cylinder inside an enclosed channel. The finite element approach is used to solve the Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes and energy equations and the shear stress transport model. The flow is explored for various Reynolds numbers ranging from 3 × 10 3 to 10 7 with the blockage ratios of 0.05, 0.1, and 0.15 along with the variation of speed ratios of the rotating cylinder. This study found that the direction and speed of the cylinder have an insignificant effect on thermo-fluid characteristics. On the other hand, the drag coefficient decreases while the average Nusselt number increases to a specific value of Reynolds number and then becomes almost constant. Effectiveness increases for a lower Reynolds number and then becomes stable. The heat performance of the rotating cylinder for the stationary one and the contributions of pressure drag are presented here.