Convective Transport Around Rows of Square Cylinders Arranged in a Staggered Fashion at Moderate Reynolds Number

Abstract

The thermohydrodynamic interactions among multiple bodies fixed in an incident flow are analyzed through two-dimensional numerical computation. The bodies are identical in shape and size with square cross section and arranged in two rows in a staggered fashion within an unconfined domain. Simulation is carried out using a finite-volume-based method considering a uniform cross flow of air (Prandtl number, Pr =0.71) at a moderate Reynolds number (Re = 100). Apart from the Reynolds number, certain geometrical parameters such as the streamwise and transverse spacing of the objects may significantly influence the wake dynamics, vortex structure formation, and the associated thermal transport. Accordingly, both the dimensionless transverse spacing (S/d = 1, 3, and 5, with S and d the transverse spacing and cylinder size, respectively) and the nondimensional streamwise gap (L/d = 1, 3, and 5, with L being the streamwise gap) are varied to elucidate their roles in controlling the hydrodynamic and thermal transport. Even at such a moderate Reynolds number, the flow and thermal fields show chaotic behavior at smaller transverse spacing, this behavior being established through various chaos characterization tools. However, at larger spacing, the usual unsteady vortex dynamics persists. Shedding in the gap is inhibited at smaller streamwise spacing. Again, at larger spacing, the normal shedding characteristics continue. Average heat transfer from the cylinders is higher at smaller streamwise and transverse spacing.