Large eddy simulation on the wake characteristics of linearly stratified flow past a sphere.

Abstract

In this study, Large Eddy Simulation (LES) has been employed to examine the influence of the Froude number (Fr) on the linearly stratified wake and internal waves behind a sphere at a subcritical Reynolds number of Re = 3700. Six distinct sets of models with varying Fr (Fr = 0.05, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, ∞) have been chosen to establish density linear stratification through the use of a User Defined Function (UDF). The analysis focuses on the impact of stratification on wake characteristics, velocity distribution, and the structure of internal waves within stratified flow. It is evident that density stratification plays a pivotal role in shaping wake structure. Notably, in stratified flows, wakes exhibit unique characteristics including the generation of internal waves, suppression of vertical velocity, and the emergence of oscillating wake patterns. The study reveals that a decrease in the Froude number leads to heightened vertical suppression of the wake and increased anisotropy of the velocity distribution. Furthermore, as the Froude number ascends from 0.05 to 2, the wake undergoes a transition from quasi-two-dimensional vortex shedding to three-dimensional turbulence.