Modelling and Simulation of Fluid Flow through a Circular Cylinder with High Reynolds Number: A COMSOL Multiphysics Study

Abstract

In this study, we intend to investigate the steady-state and laminar flow of a viscous fluid through a circular cylinder fixed between two parallel plates keeping the aspect ratio of 1 : 5 from cylinder radius to height of the channel. The two-dimensional, incompressible fluid flow problem has been simulated using COMSOL Multiphysics 5.4 which implements finite element’s procedure. The flow pattern will be investigated by using the Reynolds number from 100 to 1000. The reattachment length formed at the back of the cylinder and drag force when the fluid comes to strike with the front surface of the cylinder is expressed in terms of Reynolds numbers. We propose to calculate the velocity and the pressure before and after the cylinder. For this purpose, two-line graphs before and after the cylinder will be drawn to check the impact of cylinder on both velocity and pressure. It was found that the percentage change in the velocity as well as pressure before to after the cylinder is changing their behaviours at Re = 700. The study is important because the empirical equations between the vortex’s lengths formed along the cylinder using the linear regression process obtained in this study may be used for future implementation.