Air Flow around and through a Permeable Semi-Circular Cylinder‡

An unconfined air flow across a semi-circular permeable/porous cylinder is numerically investigated for different Reynolds (Re) and Darcy numbers (Da) at a fixed value of porosity. The Darcy-Brinkman-Forchheimer model has been administered to deal with the flow field inside the porous cylinder. The governing equations are solved by using the finite element method-based commercial software COMSOL Multiphysics. The obtained flow field is analyzed by streamline profiles and vorticity contours. The collective impact of Re and Da on the drag coefficient is evaluated. At low Da values, the cylinder resembles the solid cylinder as the vorticity contours and streamlines do not infiltrate the porous media. The increment in Da leads to penetration of streamlines and vorticity contours through the porous cylinder. The drag coefficient retained an inverse relationship with Re and showed a complex relationship with Da.