Numerical Simulation Study on a Passive Jet Flow Control Method to Suppress Unsteady Vortex Shedding from a Circular Cylinder

A passive jet flow control method for suppressing unsteady vortex shedding from a circular cylinder via a numerical simulation is presented in this paper. The circular cylinder is wrapped in a hollow pipe. There are a set of the suction/ jet holes on the windward side and leeward side of the outer surface of the pipe. The oncoming flow enters into the hollow pipe through the inlet holes and then blows out from the outlet holes. As a result, the vortex shedding alternately in the wake behind the circular cylinder will be suppressed or destroyed. The reliability of the numerical model without control is first verified by comparison with previous research results. Next, the control effectiveness of this method for the pressure distribution, aerodynamic forces and flow characteristics are discussed for a large range of Reynolds number, Re = 10(3) to 10(5). The results indicate that the proposed control method has a remarkable effect on the aerodynamic forces on the circular cylinder with high Reynolds number.