Numerical investigation of flow past a rotating dual-step cylinder

Flow past a rotating dual-step cylinder is investigated numerically for a Reynolds number of Re =150 and a smaller to larger diameter ratio d = 0.5. The dual-step cylinder comprises one larger diameter cylinder with two smaller diameters on its two ends, arranged coaxially. Simulations are conducted for L = 2 to 40, where L is the larger cylinder length to diameter ratio. The length of the larger cylinder affects the wake. For a non-rotating cylinder, the two N-cells near the two steps combine, forming a mode N-S with one N-cells and two S-cells when L = 2 to 12. When L = 15 to 40, l -cell coexist with N-cells, and the wake is in mode N- l -S with two N-cells, one l -cell and two S-cells. For a rotating cylinder, mode N- l -S does not exist when the rotation rate α=0.5 because the wake is in the direct mode. The boundary length L of the SC between mode N-S and mode N- l -S for α =1 is significantly reduced compared with a non-rotating step cylinder. The distinct feature of the wake for larger rotation rates between 2 and 4 is the existence of two streamwise hub vortices generated from the two steps, respectively. The attraction and cancellation effects between the two hub vortices affects the wake. An increase in α enhances the two hub vortices and attraction between them, however the stronger attraction effect between the two hub vortices reduces their strength. At L = 2, the two hub vortices are so close to each other that they combine, resulting in a very chaotic wake. • Simulations are conducted for larger cylinder length-to-diameter ratio L = 2 to 40. • When L = 2 to 12, the wake has a mode N-S wake with one N-cells and two S-cells. • When L = 15 to 40, the wake is mode N-L-S with two N-cells, one L-cell and two S-cells. • Mode N-L-S does not exist when the rotation rate α=0.5 because the wake is in the direct mode. • For greater rotation rates, two streamwise hub vortices interact with each other strongly.