Two-Dimensional Isothermal and Newtonian Flow in Complex Geometries

Abstract

In this paper, we investigate the thermal and turbulent behaviour of incompressible Newtonian flow, by numerical simulation, combining two physical phenomena, namely, the heat-transfer by mixed convection and the onset of turbulence, around different isothermal complex geometries, using the immersed boundary method coupled with the virtual physical model, in order to model the presence of the isothermal body. Boundary conditions of the Dirichlet and Neumann type are implemented. For turbulence modelling, the Smagorinsky and Spalart-Allmaras models are used, for Reynolds and Richardson numbers ranging up to 5000 and 5, respectively. This work confirms that, downstream of the immersed body, the recirculation: 1) increases with the increase in the number of Reynolds, keeping the number of Richardson constant, and 2) decreases with the increase in the number of Richardson, preserving the number of Reynolds constant. It also confirms the generation of thermal plumes moving upwards. For Reynolds numbers in the order of a few hundred and Richardson numbers around 5, it is observed, for tandem cylinders, the vortex wake being established in the downstream region. Interactions within the vortex wake, with the shear layer separated from the downstream cylinder, create two vortices near the downstream cylinder. The shear layer separating from the upstream cylinder creates a vortex behind the downstream cylinder.