Numerical Study of Flow Past Solid Sphere using OpenFOAM

Abstract

Flow past a sphere represents one of the classical problems in fluid dynamics. It is extensively investigated, starting from analytical solution of Navier-Stokes equations in case of creeping flow (Re<<1), and later on for various ranges of Reynolds number, mostly using experimental methods. In recent decades, with advances in CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) this problem is additionaly investigated numerically. In this study, flow past a sphere for broad range of Reynolds number (10 < Re < 200000) is analyzed using open-source software OpenFOAM. Flow is treated as incompressible and for turbulent regime RANS modeling approach is addopted, with comparative analysis for k-e and k-w SST. Unsteady vortex shedding effects are also analyzed, for both regimes of the flow (laminar and turbulent). Extensive comparisons were made between the predicted and available experimental results for drag coefficient and good agreement is found for almost the whole range of Reynolds number.