Radially expanding/contracting and rotating sphere with suction

Purpose This study aims to numerically simulate the flow induced by a radially expanding/contracting and rotating sphere with suction. In the absence of rotation, one-dimensional flow motion occurs as expected. Otherwise, centrifugal force slows down the induced flow motion, in addition to the radial movement of the surface. Design/methodology/approach The present work is devoted to the analysis of a rotating permeable sphere. The sphere, because it is elastic, is allowed to expand or contract uniformly in the radial direction while rotating. Findings Numerical simulations of the governing equation in spherical coordinates are supported by a perturbation approach. It is found that the equatorial region is effectively smoothen out by the wall suction in non-expanding, expanding and contracting wall deformation cases. The radial inward flow in the vicinity of the equator is no longer valid in the case of sphere expansion, and strong suction causes nearly constant radial suction velocities. More fluid is sucked radially inward near the pole region when wall contraction is active. Originality/value The problem is set up for the first time in the literature. It is determined physically, the wall expansion mechanism requires more torque with less drag.