Lift-up process in a heated-cylinder wake flow

Abstract

A three-dimensional flow transition behind a heated cylinder is analyzed at low Reynolds numbers: Re=O(100). Both visualizations and numerical simulations show that the transition manifests itself in the form of mushroom-type structures in the far wake and Λ-shaped structures in the near wake. The legs of the Λ-shaped structures coincide with streamwise vorticity regions. An intermediate stage is observed between the Λ-shaped structures and the escaping mushroom-type structures. This intermediate step is characterized by a lift-up process, which takes place in the center region between the legs and head of the Λ-shaped structures. As a result, hot fluid is being pulled out of the upper vortex core. Due to this lift-up process, mushroom-type structures are generated in the form of escaping vortex rings in the far wake. © 2006 American Institute of Physics.