Direct numerical simulations of flows around an array of rough cylinders partially coated with porous media at Re = 3900

Abstract

In recent years, interest has been growing in the stability control of cylindrical structures in a flow field using full/partial coatings of porous media. However, the partial application of porous coatings to arrays of cylinders with rough surfaces has rarely been studied. This paper numerically investigates the passive flow control of an array of rough cylinders partially coated with porous media on their leeward side in the subcritical flow regime (Re = 3900). This is achieved through two-dimensional direct numerical simulations and the Cartesian cut-cell method, which facilitate flow simulations around complex porous media and rough surfaces in an accurate and flexible manner. In contrast to macroscopic models, this study employs a quasi-microscopic model to simplify the porous structure for each cylinder, providing an accurate and intuitive means of describing the inflow details of porous media near the central cylinder. The porosities and pores per inch of the porous media are defined in terms of the alignment angles and radii. Similarly, the surface roughness of a cylinder is simulated by the attachment of small circular appendages. The accuracy and capacity of the presented numerical approach are demonstrated via a numerical case study with a single smooth cylinder. The influence of the porous media on the flows around a single rough cylinder and an array of rough cylinders is thoroughly investigated and discussed.