Numerical Investigation of Influence of Rate of Rotation on Formation of Vapor Around Two Heated Circular Cylinders Immersed in Water Inside a Channel

Abstract

Abstract
The complexity problem of fluid flow and heat transfer over an array of circular cylinders are common in industrial applications of the fluid dynamics. The complex nature of the problem encountered in industry, gives rise to certain significant dimensions in the fluid dynamics theory. Some of them are the fluid flow interaction, interferences in flow and vortex dynamics which are typically found in compact heat exchangers, cooling of electronic equipment, nuclear reactor fuel rods, cooling towers, chimney stacks, offshore structures, hot-wire anemometry and flow control. The mentioned structures are subjected to air or water flows and therefore experience flow induced forces which can lead to their failure over a long period of time. Basically, with respect to the free stream direction, the configuration of two cylinders can be classified as tandem, side-by-side and staggered arrangements. The Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations are used to compute the flow and Eulerian model is used to understand phase change situation. The validation of the results was done with that of the literatures. Some of the key predictions such as mean static pressure, mean velocity, Prandtl number, Nusselt number are presented as a part of the outcome of research. The key information of the flow dynamics, wake zone physics and interference between two flows, comparison of flow variables of an isolated cylinder and two side-by-side cylinder arrangements are significant observations of this study. The influence of rotational rate of cylinders on the phase change (water to steam) has been studied throughout this work.

Keywords: RANS, heat flux, phase change, eulerian model, volume fraction, rotational rate

Cite this Article

Ravi Pullepudi, S. K. Maharana. Numerical Investigation of Influence of Rate of Rotation on Formation of Vapor Around Two Heated Circular Cylinders Immersed in Water Inside a Channel. Recent Trends in Fluid Mechanics. 2017; 4(3): 14–25p.