Experiments on a Flettner rotor at critical and supercritical Reynolds numbers

Journal article (2019)

Authors

G. Bordogna Ship Hydromechanics and Structures - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
S. Muggiasca Politecnico di Milano
S. Giappino Politecnico di Milano
Marco Belloli Politecnico di Milano
J.A. Keuning Ship Hydromechanics and Structures - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
R.H.M. Huijsmans Ship Hydromechanics and Structures - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
A.P. van 't Veer Marine and Transport Technology
Research Group
Ship Hydromechanics and Structures (Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2019 G. Bordogna, S. Muggiasca, S. Giappino, M. Belloli, J.A. Keuning, R.H.M. Huijsmans, A.P. van 't Veer
DOI
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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jweia.2019.02.006
Pressure measurements Wind assisted ship propulsion Wind tunnel tests Magnus effect Rotating cylinder Rotor sail
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Published Date

2019

Language

English

Faculty

Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering

Department

Marine and Transport Technology

Research Group

Ship Hydromechanics and Structures

Abstract


The Flettner rotor is attracting increasing attention as a viable technology for wind-assisted ship propulsion. Nonetheless, the influence of the Reynolds number on the aerodynamic performance of rotating cylinders is still unclear and under debate. The present study deals with a series of wind-tunnel experiments on a large-scale Flettner rotor in which the forces and pressures acting on the cylinder were measured for Reynolds numbers as large as Re=1.0⋅10
6
. The rotating cylinder used in the experimental campaign had a diameter of 1.0 m and span of 3.73 m. The results indicate that the lift coefficient is only affected by the Reynolds number in the critical flow region and below velocity ratio k=2.5. Conversely, in the velocity ratio range 1