Steady state numerical solution of the Navier-Stokes and energy equations around a horizontal cylinder at moderate Reynolds numbers from 100 to 500

A numerical analysis for forced-convection heat transfer from a horizontal stationary circular cylinder dissipating a uniform heat flux in a crossflow of air is conducted by solving the full two-dimensional steady-state Navier-Stokes and energy equations in the range of the Reynolds numbers from 100 to 500 (based on diameter). A numerical study by this author for Reynolds numbers less than 100 was previously conducted and therefore is not repeated here. Dependence on the Reynolds number of the flow and thermal fields, vorticity and pressure distributions, separation angle, drag coefficient, and local and average Nusselt number around the cylinder are shown. Correlations for the separation angle and drag coefficient as functions of Reynolds number are suggested. Quantities such as vorticity, pressure, and Nusselt number at the forward and rear (base) stagnation points are also calculated and correlated as functions of Reynolds number. The local and average values of the Nusselt numbers are shown to be in good agreement with available correlations and experiments. The average forced-convection Nusselt number is correlated. A new correlation for the mean value of forced-convection Nusselt number based on 27 previous studies, including the present results, is proposed. Theoretical predictions and available experimental data are found to be in agreement. Theoretical prediction of the thermal field has no precedence. Flow control methods (which may be possible when turbulence is understood) to stabilize unstable solutions may lead to significant new classes of flows, which at first may be studied numerically more easily and cheaply. The extensive comparison and literature survey given in this article have shown that this fundamental problem is one of such continuing interest, at least from the perspective of fluid flow studies.