A numerical and experimental investigation of the effect of electro-
magnetic force on the flow behavior around a circular cylinder will
be presented. The free-stream flow outside of the cylinder is considered
as laminar.
The electromagnetic force is applied locally on the cylinder surface
in the range of 70 to 130 degrees from the stagnation point along the
cylinder circumference in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions.
The numerical results predict that the Lorentz force applied
circumferential direction on the cylinder moves the separation
point rearward, and reduces the drag.
To validate the numerical results, an experiment with a circular
cylinder of 50mm diameter is conducted. The electrodes and permanent
magnets are flush mounted on the cylinder in such a way that the Lorentz
force is generated in the circumferential direction in the aforementioned
range of +(-)70 and +(-)130 degrees. Flow visualization with dye and
direct drag measurement using strain gage are made. The fluid used is
natural sea water of about 4 mho conductivity.
The numerical and experimental results with pertinent
discussions will be presented.