Numerical method of lattice Boltzmann simulation for flow past a rotating circular cylinder with heat transfer

Abstract

Purpose

The main objective of this work is to develop a boundary treatment in lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) for curved and moving boundaries and using this treatment to study numerically the flow around a rotating isothermal circular cylinder with/without heat transfer.

Design/methodology/approach

A multi‐distribution function thermal LBM model is used to simulate the flow and heat transfer around a rotating circular cylinder. To deal with the calculations on the surface of cylinder, a novel boundary treatment is developed.

Findings

The results of simulation for flow and heat transfer around a rotating cylinder including the evolution with time of velocity field, and the lift and drag coefficients are compared with those of previous theoretical, experimental and numerical studies. Excellent agreements show that present LBM including boundary treatment can achieve accurate results of flow and heat transfer. In addition, the effects of the peripheral‐to‐translating‐speed ratio, Reynolds number and Prandtl number on evolution of velocity and temperature fields around the cylinder are tested.

Practical implications

There is a large class of industrial processes which involve the motion of fluid passing rotating isothermal circular cylinders with/without heat transfer. Operations ranging from paper and textile making machines to glass and plastics processes are a few examples.

Originality/value

A strategy for LBM to treat curved and moving boundary with the second‐order accuracy for both velocity and temperature fields is presented. This kind of boundary treatment is very easy to implement and costs less in computational time.

Citation

Zu, Y.Q., Yan, Y.Y., Shi, W.P. and Ren, L.Q. (2008), "Numerical method of lattice Boltzmann simulation for flow past a rotating circular cylinder with heat transfer", International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, Vol. 18 No. 6, pp. 766-782. https://doi.org/10.1108/09615530810885560