The flow structures of a transversely rotating sphere at high rotation rates

Abstract

© 2014 Elsevier Ltd. This paper studies the flow structures surrounding a transversely rotating sphere for the previously unreported conditions of flow Reynolds numbers of Re=100-300 and a rotation rate in the range Ω *=1.25-3.00, where Reynolds number is based on sphere diameter and the free stream velocity and rotation rate Ω * is defined as the maximum sphere surface velocity normalised by free stream velocity. The flow remains steady at Re=100. At =250 and 300, the flow can be classified into 2 flow regimes at these rotation rates. Flow at lower rotation rates is dominated by the well known Kelvin-Helmholtz type instability vortex formation mechanism which produces regular, coherent vort..