The Flow Past a Rapidly Rotating Circular Cylinder Author(s): M. B. Glauert Source: Proceedings of the Royal Society of London.

Series A, Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Vol. 242, No. 1228 (Oct. 8, 1957), pp. 108-115 Published by: The Royal Society Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/100386 . Accessed: 22/06/2011 11:59
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The flow past a rapidly rotating circular cylinder

BY M. B.
GILAUERT

Department of Mathematics, University of Manchester (Communicated by M. J. Lighthill, F.R.S.-Received 15 May 1957)

This paper considers,the two-dimensional flow past a circular cylinder immersed in a uniform stream, when the cylinder rotates about its axis so fast that separation is suppressed. Tho solution of the flow in the boundary layer on the cylinder is obtained in the form of a power series in tho ratio of the stream velocity to the cylinder's peripheral velocity, and expressions are deduced for the value of the circulation and the torque on the cylinder. The terms calculated expl]icitly are sufficient to give reliable numerical values over the whole range of rotational speeds for which the postulate of non-separating flow is justifiable. The previously accepted theory, due to Prandtl, predicted that the circulation should not exceed a certain limit, while the present theory indicates that the circulation increases indefinitely with increase of rotational speed. Strong arguments against the older theory are put forward, but the experimental evidence available is inconclusive. 1. INTRODUCTION

The flow with circulation past a circular cylinder is a classic example used in fluid mechanics for the discussion of the phenomenon of lift. The two-dimensional irrotational flow, with an arbitrary value of the circulation, is elementary. For a real fluid, a circulation can be generated by rotating the cylinder about its axis, as is shown in the well-known series of photographs by Prandtl (Prandtl & Tietjens I 93 I). At small rotational speeds the photographs show a wide region of separation behind the cylinder, but when the peripheral velocity of the cylinder exceeds twice the stream velocity the separation largely disappears. Apart from the boundary layer on the cylinder, the actual flow must then closely follow the irrotational flow solution, with a certain value of the circulation. Theoretical arguments have been given by Prandtl (1925; see also Goldstein 1938, p. 82). If the stream velocity is U0,the velocity at the cylinder surface has the maximum value 2UO,for irrotational flow without circulation. If in addition the flow at the surface has a circulatory componelnt Q (so that the circulation K = rd9, where d is the cylinder diameter), then as Q increases, the stagnation points on the cylinder approach one aniother, coalescing when Q = 2UO. In this situation the maximum velocity at the surface is 4U0. If Q increases further, the stagnation point moves off into the body of the fluid and closed streamlines encircle the cylinder. Prandtl argues that when the cylinder's peripheral velocity q is equal to 4U0, the cylinder nowhere exerts a retarding action on the fluid if Q = 2UO,but if Q were less than 2 Uofurther vorticity would be shed and so the circulation would increase; on the other hand, there is no tendency for Q to increase beyond the value 2Uo even when q exceeds 4UO,since convection of vorticity into the external stream is no longer possible. Prandtl thus predicts a maximum value of the circulation equal to 27rdUo,to be reached when q is nearly equal to 4UO. Since the lift L = pUOK, where p is the fluid density, this implies a maximum lift coefficient CL = L/( 2p U- d) equal to 41r. The argument leading to the conclusion that Q never exceeds 2UOis open to [ 108 ]

The flow past a rapidly rotating ctrcular cylinder

109

serious objection. Suppose that a regime is established with Q > 2U, so that the cylinder is surrounded by a set of closed streamlines, bounded by an outer dividing streamline. If q is now increased above its previous value, vorticity of sign opposite to that of the cylinder's rotation will be produced in the boundary layer. It is true that this vorticity cannot be immediately convected downstream in the wake. However, if the increase in the value of q is sufficiently great, a body of fluid of large velocity and vorticity will break away from the surface under the action of centrifugal force and, after crossing the dividing streamline, will be carried away by the stream. With a smaller increase in q, the vorticity will diffuse out through the region of closed streamlines until it too crosses the dividing streamline and is convected downstream, for there is no mechanism to retain it close to the surface. In either case the effect is to lea-ve the cylinder with an increased circulation. In fact it is clear that, for large values of q, the circulationi will increase until Q is approximately equal to q. It may be queried why lift coefficients in excess of 4r have not been observed in

experiments (Betz 1925; PrandtlI925; Reid I924; Thom I93 I). Almost certainlythe
experimental difficulties have been too great. Three-dimensional effects arise, even on a cylinder of large aspect ratio fitted with end disks, since the vortex lines must leave the cylinder at its ends and pass downstream. Wall interference effects are also likely to be serious, since the velocity due to the circulation falls off only as the reciprocal ofthe distance. In addition, it is possible that true two-dimensional flow would suffer from instability in the neighbourhood of the stagnation point in the fluid. In this paper a theory is presented based on a study of the flow in the boundary layer on the cylinder. The only assumption made is that the flow outside the boundary layer is the steady irrotational flow past a circular cylinder. A solution of the boundary layer equations is obtained in the form of a power series in U0/q,and expressions are deduced for the torque on the cylinder and the ratio Q/q. Sufficient terms of the series are calculated explicitly to give reliable numerical values over the whole range of rotational speeds for which the assumption of non-separating flow is justifiable. 2. THE BOIUNrDARY LAYER Consider a circular cylinder of diameter d, rotating about its axis with peripheral velocity q in a stream U0.To study the boundary layer, choose fixed axes with x measured round the cylinder circumference and y normal to it. For convenience in what follows, take x 0 to be the point at which the surface moves in the same direction as the stream U0. On the assumption that outside the boundary layer the flow is everywhere irrotational, the velocity at the edge of the boundary layer is

U = Q + 2Uo cos (2x/d),

(1)

where Q is the circulatory component of fluid velocity. The boundary layer equations for steady two-dimensional flow are aana o= U dU
a2,u

(2) (3)

_+_

0,

110

M. B. Glauert

where Ivis the kinematic viscosity of the fluid. The boundary conditions are =U =q, v=O t6 U-> u at as y=O, }(4) y-*oo.

In view of (3), there is a stream function #f such that

u =4flay,

- avflx.

(5)

It is convenient to introduce a complex number notation, rewriting equation (1) (6) as U=Q{? +ac e0}, where 0 = 2x/d is the angular co-ordinate round the cylinder and x-2UO/Q. (7)

Only the real part of equation (6) has physical significance. We are concerned with the case in which Q is appreciably greater than U0, and hence acis small. We may obtain a solution in series of equation (2) by writing
f
=

y + cxf2(y) ei? + (X2{f (y) e210 + a2(Y)}

+ ax {f3(y) e310 + Hence, from (5),

a3(Y)

e40 ei?} + ac4{f4(y) + ?4(y)

+ e2'0+ h4(Y)}

(8)

e210 Q = 1+ acfIe1a+ C2ff2f + g2}) f +...

U v 2Q
=-

(9)
iaf e10- 2ia2f2 e2i9
-.

In this expansion the circulatory fluid velocity Q has been taken as the fundamental parameter rather than the cylinder velocity q. For a study of the boundary layer equations this is the natural procedure, as the velocity at the edge of the boundary layer is then completely specified. Fromi (9), u/Q -> I as ae-?0 for all y, which implies that q/Q -> 1 as Q-oo, as predicted in ? 1. The major terms in equation (2) are those linear in ac.They are satisfied if
flI

= y2(f

_- 1),

(10)

where and hence

Y =

y 2=Qi vd'

(11)
(12)

(1 +i),8, where

V,-

(Q/vd).

Equation (4) shows that the boundary conditions are f1(0) = f (0)
=

0, f 1() )

(13)

and hence the required solutioni of (10) is

fj= 1-erU,

fe1=y +

(e-YY-1).

(14)

The flow past a rapidly rotating ctrcular Substituting in (9) and taking the real part, we thus obtain

cylinder

111
(15)

u = Q + 2Uo{cos0-e-fly

cos (O-)}+

..

The last term of (15) is precisely the velocity distribution in a shear layer, as occurs when a plate oscillates harmonically in its own plane in a fluid at rest. This is as might have been anticipated, since fluid elements, which are being carried round the cylinder with velocity Q, are experiencing a superposed velocity fluctuating harmonically between - 2Uo and 2Uo. Care must be taken when considering the terms in equation (2) quadratic in a. If A and B are complex numbers, 98(A)
(B)-=

{1A(B

+ B)},

(16)

where the bar denotes a complex conjugate. Consequently, terms independent of 0 arise as well as terms proportional to e210.The resulting equations are
'2 -

-l 2 =

'f2--f1 fl-~ 2fl -WiW

(17)
(18)

-2

y2

21fIfI+2flfI

The boundary conditions are

f2(O) 92(?) =Af(O) =0, = 0, f2(oo0) g2(0) 0,

(19)

=0.

(20)

No condition can be applied to y'(0), as it is known only that the surface velocity is independent of 0. Indeed, the value of g'(0) is one of the main objects of our investigation, as it gives the first approximation to the amount by which q exceeds Q. Equation (18) may be integrated directly to give
2,2

=-2-flfl-v+

27;

(21)

and further integrations are straightforward, on substituting from equation (14). Taking the real part of the solution, we obtain
g'2(O) =

2-fl,

g2(O) =

3
1,

g2(0o)

(22)

The integration of (17) is also straightforward, the required solution being 1 ( 2Cv(
7Y1~~V2Y

V
1 12) (23)

>12

The next- term in the series (8) which gives a contribution to the difference between q and Q is h4(y). This depends upon 3(y) but not on f3(y). The equation

for g3(y)

iS 72 g3-g3
=

12fl f2 +

Wfl f2-fl

f2

2fl(q2 +g9)

- f1(2flq +(g)2

(24)

with boundary conditions

3(? ) =

0,

3g(?)

0.

(25)

112

M. B. Glauert

The integration, although tedious, presents no difficulties. The equation for h4(y) may be integrated once to give 1
y -h 4=,13- fL

7
913+fJ2J 3--2fff 1

1 0,

49I 498-y 15

6 2 +15

13

1 2V )'

(26) (26,
(27)

with boundary conditions

h4(0)

hQ(o) = 0.

The constant in equation (26) is appropriate in view of the value of g3(oo), determined in the solution of equation (24). Taking the real part, we have h"(0) and on integrating (26) we finally obtain h4(0)-12 9 7

(28)

(29)

3. DisoUSSION OF RESULTS The peripheral speed q of the cylinder is given by puttinig y Using the calculated terms, we obtain
21 Q= I +
-

0 in equation (9).

a2g' (0) + (X4h4'(0) +..

= 1+3(

)-5.76()

+....

(30)

Whereas in the treatment of the boundary layer equations it was convenient to take the circulatory fluid velocity Q as the basic parameter, it is more natural physically to consider q to be the known quantity, and hence to invert equation (31) ( ) (30), obtaining 4( )

From the computational point of view, equation (31) has two incidental advantages over equation (30); the coefficient of the last term is reduced, and the denominators are larger, since q > Q. The variation of Q/Uo with q/U0, as given by equation (31), is shown in figure 1. Since the lift coefficient CL= (pU0K)/(1pU2d) and the circulation K = grdQ, it follows that Q/Uo = CL/27r, and so the curve of figure 1 also gives the variation of lift coefficient with rotational speed. The last term of equation (31) is only 4 / of the first when q/U0 = 3. For smaller values of q/U0the assumption of non-separating flow is suspect, so the terms calculated should be sufficient to give good accuracy over the whole range of rotational speeds for which the theory is applicable. In figure 1 are also shown the maximum lift coefficient as given by the theory of Prandtl discussed in ? 1, and the curve obtained experimentally by Reid (l9z4). The experiments do not significantly confirm or contradict either theory, but the agreement is probably as good as could be expected in view of the technical difficulties referred to in ? 1. The fact that Reid observed a large drag force at the higher

The flow past a rapidly rotating circular cylinder

113

rotational speeds is a clear indication that three-dimensional effects were substantial. Recently Wood (1957), applying an integral relation which he derives for a class of flows with closed streamlines, has obtained a formula for the circulation which is equivalent to the first two terms of equation (31).

4/
>12?

/~~~~~~~~

q/UO~

FIGURE

1. Lift and circulation on a rotating cylinder (UO = stream velocity, q cylinder's peripheral velocity, Q = circulatory velocity at the edge of the boundary layer). (1) Present theory. (2) Prandtl's theory. (3) Reid's experiments. (4) Q = q (asymptote of (1)).

The torque T on the cylinder is given by

l td2f

( Mt) d,=

(32)

the negative sign being appropriate if T is considered to be positive when in the sense tending to increase the rotation of the fluid. Only terms of equation (8) independent of 0 contribute to (32), and hence we obtain, using the calculated values

of ?2,

T =lffd2Q{=

2g'(0)

a4h4'(0)

nTd2pUMR-W(Q02-2022(?

)(33)

where the Reynolds number R = Uod/v. It is physically and computationally desirable, as before, to express Q in terms of q by use of equation (31), so obtaining
T

=7d2pU2R-i ((q)

-0522(

)+.J *

(34)

When qlUo = 3, the second term of (34) is 60

8

of the first, so once again the formula

Vol 242.

A.

114

M. B. Glauert

should be adequate over the whole valid range of rotational speeds. The measurements of torque by Reid (I924) were scanty, and were not extended to peripheral speeds greater than UO; q = UO, value obtained was approximately for the T = 5iTd2pU2R12. This is far above the value given by equation (34), but it is doubtful if it has nluch accuracy or relevance, in view of the experimental imperfections and also the separation occurring at this low rotational speed. For energy conservation a torque on the cylinder is essential, to do work to replace the energy lost by viscous dissipation in the boundary layer. However, from the point of view of angular momentum, it may excite curiosity that a torque should be necessary to maintain the steady irrotational flow past the circular cylinder. The explanation may be arrived at by a consideration of the displacement thickness S of the boundary layer. This is defined by the equation # - d) U (y at the edge of the boundary layer. If
a

(35)

= oc41(?) az242(o) * * + +

(36)

the terms linear in

oc in

equation (35) show that 1

=

-ei0.

(37) (38)

Taking the real part,

81=

cos (0- fir).

The implication of this is that, to the first order of approximation, the irrotational flow is that past a circular cylinder of diameter d, displaced through a distance z/12f8 in the direction 0 = 17T. Now the forces exerted by the actual cylinder on the fluid are the reversed lift force L through the centre and the torque T. These combine to give a single force of magnitude L, with its line of action displaced from the centre of the cylinder by a distance e = T/L in the downstream direction. Approximating to T by the first term of (33), it is readily shown that e- =/2,8 + .... and thus the combined force acts through the centre of the displaced cylinder. The puzzle is thus resolved. The second term of (33) can also be explained by considering the modifications to the shape and position of the cylinder represented by further terms in the expansion for the displacement thickness. It might perhaps have been anticipated that 8, would be greatest at 0 = 0, where the velocity outside the boundary layer has its greatest excess over the surface velocity. However, it is a familiar result that in a shear layer the skin-friction is advanced in phase by I7 over the velocity (of which it is the derivative with respect to y), and similarly the velocity has a phase-advance of 41T over the volume flux, to which the displacement thickness is related. It is this phase-retarded component which gives the effective cylinder a displacement in the stream direction, and implies the existence of a torque.

Theflow past a rapidlyrotatingcircularcylinder

115

Finally, we may note that when employing the series expansion (8), there is no need at any stage to make allowance for the effects on the pressure distribution of the curvature of the cylinder surface or the displacement thickness of the boundary layer. These effects are proportional to an inverse power of the Reynolds number, while a, the ratio of successive terms in the series expansion, is independent of the Reynolds number.
REFERENCES Betz, A. 1925 Z. Ver. dtsch. Ing. 69, 11. Goldstein, S. I938 Modern developments in fluid dynamics. Oxford University Press. Prandtl, L. 1925 Naturwissenschaften, 13, 93. Prandtl, L. & Tietjens, 0. 193I Hydro-und Aeromechanik. Berlin: Julius Springer. Reid, E. G. 1924 Tech. Notes Nat. Adv. Comm. Aero., Wash., no. 209. Thom, A. 1931 Rep. & Mem., Aero. Res. Coun., Lond., no. 1410. Wood, W. W. 1957 J. Fluid Mech. 2, 77.

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