Transient natural convection with density inversion from a horizontal cylinder

Abstract

This paper is devoted to a numerical investigation of the free convection flow about a horizontal cylinder maintained at 0 °C in a water ambient close to the point of maximum density. Complete numerical solutions covering both the transient as well as steady state have been obtained. Principal results indicate that the proximity of the ambient temperature to the point of maximum density plays an important role in the type of convection pattern that may be obtained. When the ambient temperature is within 4.7 °C<Tamb<8 °C, a ‘‘dual flow’’ appears around the cylinder with both upward and downward flow occurring in proximity to the cylinder in two distinct recirculating zones, generally separated by the 4 °C isotherm when Tamb<5.7 °C. The dual flow behavior is significantly modified as the ambient temperature is altered, disappearing when the ambient temperature is above 8 °C, or below 4.7 °C. Furthermore, when the ambient temperature is within about 4.8 °C<Tamb<5.5 °C, a well-defined steady state is never attained. Within this same range, solutions with an initially quasiperiodic behavior which persist for a long time have been observed. Multiple solutions have been observed when the above range of ambient temperature is approached from either side. The results of the computations have been compared with published experimental and numerical data with satisfactory agreement being obtained.