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EXPERIMENTAL AND NUMERICAL STUDY OF DRAG FORCES ON ROTATING

CIRCULAR CYLINDER

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 e-ISSN: 2582-5208
International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science
( Peer-Reviewed, Open Access, Fully Refereed International Journal )
Volume:04/Issue:08/August-2022 Impact Factor- 6.752 www.irjmets.com
EXPERIMENTAL AND NUMERICAL STUDY OF DRAG FORCES ON
ROTATING CIRCULAR CYLINDER
Nagham Yass Khudair*1, Hayder K. Rashid*2, Watheq Naser Hussein*3
*1University Of Babylon / College Of Materials Engineering/Metallurgy Department. Babylon, Iraq.
*2University Of Babylon / College Of Materials Engineering/Ceramic Engineering
Department, Babylon, Iraq.
*3University Of Babylon / College Of Engineering\Al-Musayab. Babylon, Iraq.
ABSTRACT
In this work, experimental and numerical simulation was done to investigate the drag forces and location of the
boundary layer that induced over circular cylinder which immersed within air flow at low Reynolds numbers.
In order for the theoretical work to match the practical applications, the value of the Reynolds number was in
the range of 1430<Re<0682. For more efficient the smoke wind tunnel is used for observed the stream line
behavior over fixed circular cylinder. Moreover, the fluent Ansys Ver.16.1 program is used with k-ε method at
low Reynolds number for numerical simulation and compared with experimental work. Moreover, two
methods are used to try to control the boundary layer separation around the circular cylinder. The first method
done by making the circular cylinder have a rotational velocity in such a way that the outer surface of the
cylinder in contact with the air has a linear velocity ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 m/sec. However, these values of
velocities are corresponding to the range of air flow 1430<Re<0682. While, the second method includes using
of an additional cylinder with a corresponding diameter, where, this additional cylinder was fixed once and
another moved in a rotational manner within an angle proportional to the location of the separation. The
results show that the momentum play very important manner to control the boundary layer behavior and drag
force. The results compared with experimental work and other researches and gives a good agreement.
Keywords: Rotating Cylinder, Control Boundary Layer, Drag Force, Stream Lines.
I. INTRODUCTION
The study of flow over circular cylinder is very important in many applications of aerodynamics like
acceleration flow over airplanes wings or motion of ships and submarine or any submerged vehicle. For this
reason, It has attracted the attention of many researchers trying to understand the causes of the forms of flow
around the cylinders and the forces generated by them represented by the obstructing force and lift force.
Where, Chao Sun et al [1] experimentally studied the drag and lift on circular cylinder with special applications.
Moreover, Hayder [2] using two cylinders to control the flow over airfoils. Also, Tennan [3] experimentally
presented the rotating cylinder at the end of cutting airfoil with low velocity effect on increasing the lift force.
On the other hand, the rotating cylinder will affect the amount of heat transfer by affecting the shape and
thickness of the boundary layer. Omar Ladjedel et al, [4] numerically investigated the location of two tandem
circular cylinder placed through fluid flow on increasing the rate of heat dissipation. On the other hand, the
Drag force induced by acceleration fluid flow over circular cylinder numerically by Hyun et.al [5]. They study
numerically the vicinity region depend on the SST k–ω model. This model is very useful for turbulent flow.
Moreover, Ghassan et al. [6] presented the effect of rotating cylinder on the position of boundary layer
separation, numerically and experimentally. They found that the rotating help to reduction the drag force over
rotating cylinder. However, many researchers using another shape of cylinder to investigate the effect of its
shape on the drag force and the boundary layer separation locations. Manish Rawat et al [7] investigated
numerically the flow behavior and dag results by flow over an Elliptical Cylinder. Also, they used two models
for turbulent flow, (URANS) equations as well as standard k-ε model. They validate the results with Achenbach
(1968) at deferent Reynolds number. Eyub Canli et al. [8] numerically the flow behavior over an ellipse with
different angle of attack. There are several models presented for near wall region turbulent flow depends on k-e
method like turbulent flow at high Reynolds number and at low Reynolds number, while, Ling Zhang
[9]presented unsteady flow simulations of several cylinder shapes (circular cylinder, square cylinder and a
curved plate). There are several models presented for near wall region turbulent flow depends on k-e method

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 e-ISSN: 2582-5208
International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science
( Peer-Reviewed, Open Access, Fully Refereed International Journal )
Volume:04/Issue:08/August-2022 Impact Factor- 6.752 www.irjmets.com
like turbulent flow at high Reynolds number and at low Reynolds number. Since, Nie Xin and Li Lei [10]
presented six model for k- ε model. They found that k- ε model at low Reynolds number is more benefit and
more accurate compare with that standard one.
The main objective of this work is study first, the separation of flow over fixed circular cylinder at low Reynolds
number numerically. Then, compared the flow visualization with the results of experimental work that done on
smoke wind tunnel at the same boundaries and Reynolds numbers. Second, try to control the separation
location by rotating the origin circular cylinder once or using another circular cylinder located in a suitable
position angle depends on separation point of the flow over the origin circular cylinder. The numerical
investigation depends on finite volume method with Ansys 16.1 depends on k-ε turbulence model at low
Reynolds number.
II. EXPERIMENTAL WORK
Based on the smoke wind tunnel shown in figure (1a) , the experimental work is done on air flow visualization
over circular cylinder having diameter 23 mm with three air flow velocity 1,1.5 and 2 m/s which corresponding
to Re equal to (1430, 2145 and 2860) respectively. The fan located as shown in figure (1a) is used to drown air
flow through test section at apparatus top. The dimensions of the test section are sown in cm in figure (1a). The
experimental models is circular cylinder shown in figure (1b) . However, camera with 30 frame per sec. is used.
However, our study emphases on the flow stream generation by air flow visualization around the fixed circular
cylinder. In this case, the features of camera is enough to see the separation points and wake street that
generated around and behind the cylinder. All experimental works were accomplished in Babylon University,
college of engineering, Mechanical departments.

Figure (1): Smoke wind tunnel: (a) represents the apparatus of smoke wind tunnel while, (b)
represents test section of smoke wind tunnel with fixed cylinder.

III. NUMERICAL METHOD

The model under consideration can be shown in in figure (2) and the mesh generation of the air flow domain can
be shown in figure (3). The Ansys 16.1 is used to investigated numerically the laminar flow over fixed cylinder
identically boundary condition for the experimental work that illustrated in previous article. For best value of
number of elements, see figure (4). For controlling the boundary layer separation from the outer surface of the
circular cylinder two methods are used.
3.1 ROTATING CYLINDER
In this method give the cylinder three values of rotating 40, 80 and 120 rad/sec that represent the velocity of
the outer surface of cylinder (0.5, 1 and 1.5 m/s). This method used to accelerate the flow by increasing flow
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 e-ISSN: 2582-5208
International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science
( Peer-Reviewed, Open Access, Fully Refereed International Journal )
Volume:04/Issue:08/August-2022 Impact Factor- 6.752 www.irjmets.com
momentum from one side of cylinder by rotating it in one direction (counterclockwise).Where, U represent the
outer cylinder surface velocity and v is the air flow velocity.
3.2 NEW ROTATING CYLINDER
In this method presented new cylinder with the same diameter place at angle 20 O rotating clocwise to prevent
the separation from outer surface of the origin cylinder. From the previous researcher the angle 10 from Y axis
counterclockwise is the most angle of separation from circular cylinder. Therefore, the angle 20 O is used for
locate the new cylinder before the separation trying to control the boundary layer separation. The model of
new rotating cylinder can be seen in figure (5).

Figure (2): The model under Figure (3): Mesh generation for the model.
investigation.

Figure (4): Relation between No. of element and drag Figure (5): The model of two rotating cylinders.
coefficient.
IV. K- MODEL FOR LOW REYNOLDS NUMBER
K- ε MODEL FOR LOW REYNOLDS NUMBER
The K- ε model for turbulent flow at low Reynolds number is used for analyzing the flow over circular cylinder
in this manuscript. Where, the Reynolds number is low with rang 430<Re<0682 and the flow is obstruction by
cylinder producing eddy behind the cylinder in the low pressure region. The main equation which describe K- ε
model at low Reynolds number can be summarized with references [10]. The final equations that presented by
reference [10] are used to describe the eddy and turbulent flow at low Reynolds number are used in this
investigation. Where, this equation presented the turbulent kinetic energy and its dissipation rate transport:
The equations are[10]:

[( ) ] ̃ …..(1)
̃ ̃ ̃
[( ) ] ..…(2)
where fμ , f1 and f2 are the local turbulent model damping functions. There are several models for damping
function which depends on the value of Reynolds number.
For low Reynolds number, the SKE, Launder and Spalding (1974) is used in this investigation[10].
V. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
5.1. Validation
For validation, the result of stream function for flow over rotating cylinder is compared with Ghassan et al. [6],
figure (6). While, figure (7) represent the stream lines at low Reynolds number over and behind the rotating

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International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science
( Peer-Reviewed, Open Access, Fully Refereed International Journal )
Volume:04/Issue:08/August-2022 Impact Factor- 6.752 www.irjmets.com
cylinder. As shown in these figures, the agreement is very well but, the present work more accurate which
depends on the k-e model at low Reynolds number. As shown in this figure the separation will occur faster from
bottom cylinder wall in the assumption of low Reynolds number as obvious in present work figure (7) compare
with the turbulent model as presented by Ghassan et al. Figure (6).

Figure (6): stream lines distribution over

Figure (7): stream lines distribution over
rotating cylinder Ghassan et al. [6].
rotating cylinder present work.
5.2. Fixed cylinder
To investigate the flow characteristics over stationary cylinder experimentally, the smoke wind tunnel is used.
The experimental results can be shown in figure (8). As shown in this figure, three air flow velocity presented
(a) v=1m/s, (b) v=1.5m/s and (c) v=2m/s. The separation points around the circular cylinder for each air
velocity is very clear as well as the wake street. However, there are two reasons for drag force induced over and
around for any immersed body in fluid flow (pressure difference and shear stress). The figure (8) carried out
the region of high pressure in front of cylinder (left and attach to the cylinder) and the position of low pressure
behind the cylinder. Moreover, the viscosity resistance the flow slip over the surface of cylinder. The separation
will occurs when flow change from acceleration to deceleration when the pressure on the boundary layer
around the circular cylinder ( ) or at . The separation points for all situation
of air flow can be seen in figure (9). Figure (10) shows the stream line of the numerical results with the
identical boundary conditions of the experimental results shown in figure (9). As comparison between figures
(8) and (10) found a very good agreement between the experimental and numerical results. Moreover the
increasing fluid flow will make the separation site on the cylinder surface will move forward due to increasing
the momentum.

c.
b.
a.
Figure (8): stream lines distribution over cylinder, a. v=1 m/s, b. v=1.5 m/s, c. v=2 m/s.

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A b c
Figure (9): Velocity vector represent the separation point over stationary circular cylinder, a. v=1m/s, b.
v=1.5 m/s, and c. v=2 m/s

Figure (10): stream lines distribution and velocity vector over cylinder numerical results, a. v=1 m/s, b.
v=1.5 m/s, c. v=2 m/s, d. v=1 m/s velocity vector, e. 1.5 m/s velocity vector, and f. v=2 m/s velocity vector
5.3 Rotating cylinder
The rotating cylinder will accelerate the flow over the cylinder depends on the direction of rotating. Where, the
fluid in the vicinity region of cylinder will move with the same value and direction of the cylinder outer wall
velocity at first, that achieved by viscosity force. Then, the drag force due to pressure difference between front
and bottom of circular cylinder will make the velocity gradient decrease until produce adverse pressure that
will induced separation again but less region of low pressure. The numerical simulation for the flow velocity
(v=1m/s) with rotating cylinder various between 0.5-1.5 which corresponding to (40 to 120 rad/sec.). Figure
(11) represent the numerical results for air flow with velocity 1m/s at different rotating speed (40, 80 and 120
rad/sec.). As shown in this figure the rotating cylinder will increase the momentum of flow as cylinder velocity
increase, and this will decrease the drag due to pressure difference. Where, the region of low pressure decrease
as low pressure region decrease causing reduce in drag forces.Where,U1 represent the rotation od addition
cylinder.

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a b c

Figure (11): stream lines distribution and velocity vector over rotating cylinder, a. v=1m/s, U=0.5 m/s, b. v=1
m/s, U=1m/s, c. v=1m/s, U=1.5 m/s, d. (v=1 m/s), U=0.5m/s stream lines velocity vector. e. (v=1 m/s), U=1m/s
stream lines velocity vector, and f. (v=1 m/s), U=1. /s

b. Rotation addition cylinder U1=1m/s, stream lines.

a. Stationary addition cylinder, stream lines

c. Stationary addition cylinder, velocity vector. d. Rotation addition cylinder U1=1m/s. velocity vector.
Figure (12): Stream lines distribution and velocity vector over cylinder, a. v=1m/s, U=1 m/s and stationary
addition cylinder, b. v=1m/s, U=1 m/s, rotation U1=1m/s, c. v=1m/s, U=1 m/s, stationary addition cylinder,
Velocity vector, d. (v=1m/s), U=1 m/s, rotation addition cylinder U=1m/s, velocity vector
VI. CONCLUSION
The experimental and numerical calculation of separation location and region of air flow over circular cylinder at
low Reynolds number are investigated. For controlling the boundary layer features two methods are suggested.
The first method depend on rotating the origin cylinder and the second method depends on improving the flow in

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 e-ISSN: 2582-5208
International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science
( Peer-Reviewed, Open Access, Fully Refereed International Journal )
Volume:04/Issue:08/August-2022 Impact Factor- 6.752 www.irjmets.com
terms of reducing the force of drag and pushing the separation point forward by adding new cylinder with angle
20O inclined with origin one. The conclusions can be summarized as below:
1. The K- ε model for turbulent flow at low Reynolds number is more accurate for low Reynolds number
compare with other models.
2. The streamline distribution give a sufficient view for drag and separation points as well as separation street.
3. The increase of momentum of flow may be help to push the separation point in front and reducing the low
pressure region
4. The addition rotating cylinder can be used to accelerate the fluid flow making mixed between flow lines and
producing turbulent flow preventing or pushing the separation point to front of flow.
VII. REFERENCES
[1] Chao Sun, Tom Mullin, Leen van Wijngaarden, Detlef Lohse (2009). Drag and lift forces on a counter-
rotating cylinder in rotating flow, Journal of Fluid Mechanics· 8
[2] Hayder K. Rashid (2013). Numerical and experimental investigation of co-shedding vortex generated by
two adjacent circular cylinders and its effect on air flow behaivor around Naca 2412 Airfoil, Industrial
Engineering Letters, Vol.3, No.6.
[3] J.S. Tennant (1976). Rotating Cylinder for Circulation Control on an Airfoil, J. HYDRONAUTICS VOL. 10,
NO. 3. Hyun A. Son, Sungsu Lee, Jooyong Lee (2020).
[4] Numerical analysis of drag force acting on 2D cylinder immersed in accelerated flow, Water 12, 1790.
[5] Ghassan F. Smaisim1, Oula M.H. Fatla, Agustin Valera-Medina, A.M. Rageb, N. Syred (2016). Experimental
and theoretical investigation of the effect of rotating circular cylinder speed on the lift and drag forces,
International journal of energy and environment, Volume 7, Issue 1, pp.23-36.
[6] Manish Rawat , Dr. Rajesh Gupta, Dr. R.M.Sarviya (2013). Numerical simulation of flow around an elliptical
cylinder at high Reynolds numbers, International Journal of Fluids Engineering. Volume 5, Number 1,
pp. 29-37.
[7] Eyub Canli, Sercan Dogan, Muammer Ozgoren, Ozgur Solmaz, Gokhan Ozseker (2015). Numerical
investigation of the wake flow of an ellipse cylinder for different angles of attack, The 6th International
Congress of Energy and Environment Engineering and Management.
[8] Ling Zhang (2017). Numerical simulation of flows past a circular and a square cylinder at high Reynolds
number, and a curved plate in transitional flow, MSc thesis Washington University.
[9] Nie Xin and Li Lei (2015). A Comparison of Low Reynolds Number k−ε Models, 4th International
Conference on Computer, Mechatronics, Control and Electronic Engineering (ICCMCEE).

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