Lift forces on a circular cylinder in cross flow resulting from heat/mass transfer

Abstract

The well-known Magnus effect is the phenomenon responsible for the curved streamlines around rotating cylinders or balls. In other words, the phenomenon causes the curved motion of spinning balls and missiles. A related application is the Flettner rotor ship, which was designed to use the Magnus effect for propulsion. More generally, the Kutta-Joukowski theorem determines lift as the product of upstream velocity, fluid density, and circulation. Flow visualization experiments of cylinders in a cross flow demonstrate this effect. For comparison purposes, a classical potential solution is presented with the same parameters (with the Reynolds number of 920). The present study assumes that similar effects can be created by means of a non-symmetrical heat/mass transfer from a section of the bluff body. A theoretical model was derived, based on equations of momentum, mass, and energy balance. The derivation utilized the terms of the entropy gradient, and the resulting velocity circulation around the body. A circular cylinder with a mass transfer surface was suggested. The mass transfer, namely the evaporation of water, is proposed through a selected 90° segment of the cylinder surface. © 2013 WIT Press.