Large Eddy Simulation of Forced Convection around Wavy Cylinders with Different Axes

Abstract

Four types of undulated cylinders with streamwise undulation, transverse undulation, in-phase undulation and antiphase undulation are employed to investigate the undulation-axis effect on the structure of heat transfer around wavy cylinders. The flows around these undulated cylinders are numerically simulated by large eddy simulation at Re = 3000. The force coefficients and Nusselt numbers of the cylinders with transverse undulation and in-phase undulation are significantly influenced by wavelength and wave amplitude. On the other hand, the cylinders with streamwise undulation and antiphase undulation show a very weak dependence of the force coefficients and Nusselt numbers on the combinations of wavelength and wave amplitude. It is noted that the cylinder with antiphase undulation, under certain wavy conditions, provides about the same Nusselt number as the smooth cylinder, even though the force coefficients are considerably decreased. The thermal characteristics, according to the combination of wavy geometric parameters, are supported by the surface distribution of the Nusselt numbers. In addition, the isothermal distribution, which depends on the wake flow, explains the variation in the Nusselt numbers. The present results suggest that a proper modification of geometry can improve both heat transfer and aerodynamic performances.