Full magnetohydrodynamic flow past a circular cylinder considering the penetration of magnetic field

Abstract

An investigation of steady Full Magnetohydrodynamic (FMHD) flow around a circular cylinder is carried out by considering the penetration of the magnetic field inside it. The governing highly non-linear coupled partial differential equations are solved using a compact finite difference scheme. For the first time, the magnetic field is calculated in the entire domain, that is, both inside the cylinder and within the fluid, with a proper matching on the interface. This feature unfurls the actual mutual interactions between the magnetic field and fluid flow. It is observed that magnetic streamlines bend inwards with an increase in the magnetic Reynolds number (Rm), whereas it straightens with an increase in interaction parameter (N). Vorticity contours get dense with an increase in N or kinematic Reynolds number (Re). Further increase in N results in the contraction of vorticity contours near the middle of the cylinder which gets shifted toward the downstream region for higher values of Rm. The values of viscous and pressure drag coefficients are presented for an extensive range of Rm, N, and Re. Hitherto, all computational FMHD flows past bluff bodies neglected the influence of the magnetic field inside the body. By considering this, the present paper opens up new avenues for potential research in this area.