Simulation of flows around a rotating cylinder by a diffusing vortex scheme

Abstract

The flow development past a rotating circular cylinder in a viscous fluid in investigated. A new diffusion-vortex method is employed and extended to calculate the flow problem. The variations with time of the pressure vorticity distribution, the lift and drag forces exerted by the fluid on the cylinder surface, are determined for the selected values of the Reynolds number and rotation rate, and compared with the published experimental results. The results show a variety of unusual and complex flow patterns around the rotating cylinder.