Potential Flow

Chapter Three
PART TWO

Dr. Hamdy A. Kandil

Stokess Theorem

The transformation from a line integral to a surface integral in

three-dimensional space is governed by Stokess theorem:

where n dA is a vector normal to the surface, positive when pointing

outward from the enclosed volume, and equal in magnitude to the
incremental surface area.
In words, the integral of the normal component of the curl of the
velocity vector over any surface A is equal to the line integral of
the tangential component of the velocity around the curve C which
bounds A.
Stokess theorem is valid when A
represents a simply connected region in
which V is continuously differentiable.
Thus, it is not valid if the area A contains
regions where the velocity is infinite.

Potential Vortex

The curl of the velocity vector for the potential vortex can be
found using the definition for the curl of V in cylindrical
coordinates

But

and

which simplifies in two dimensions to:

Although the flow is irrotational ( = 0), we must remember that

the velocity is infinite at the origin (i.e., when r = 0 ).
In fact, the flow field at the origin is rotational and vorticity
exists there.
We will now calculate the circulation around a closed curve C1
which encloses the origin. We can choose a circle of radius r1
The circulation is

Recall that Stokess theorem, is not valid if the region contains

points where the velocity is infinite, which is true for vortex
flow at the origin.

However, if we calculate the circulation around a closed curve C2,

which does not enclose the origin, such as that shown in Fig. b, we
find that

Therefore, the circulation around a closed curve not containing

the origin is zero.

Paths for the calculation of the circulation for a potential vortex: (a)
closed curve C1, which encloses origin; (b) closed curve C2, which does
not enclose the origin.

Shape of the free surface

&

Bernollis equation

p V2

gz const
2
at the free surface p=0:

V12 V2 2

z &
2g 2g

V1 = 0

2
z 2 2
8 r g

Elementary Planar Irrotational Flows

Line Vortex

If vortex is moved to (x,y) =

(a,b)

Source and Sink

Consider a source of strength K at (-a, 0) and a sink of K at (a, 0)

For a point P with polar coordinate of (r, ). If the polar coordinate
from (-a,0) to P is (r2, 2) and from (a, 0) to P is (r1, 1),
Then the stream function and potential function obtained by
superposition are given by:

K
2 1 ,

2
K
lnr2 lnr1

Source and Sink

Hence,

Since

We have

We have

2
tan
K

tan 2 tan1

tan

2
1
1 tan 2 tan1

rsin
rsin
tan 2
and tan1
rcos a
rcos a

2 2arsin
tan
2
r a2
K
K
-1 2arsin

tan 2

2
2
r a

Source and Sink

We have

r22 rsin rcos a r 2 a 2 2arcos

2

r12 rsin rcos a r 2 a 2 2arcos

2

Therefore,

K r 2 a 2 2arcos

ln
2 r 2 a 2 2arcos
The velocity component are:

rcos a
rcos a

2
2
2
r a 2arcos r a 2arcos
K
rsin
rsin

2
2
2
2 r a 2arsin r a 2arsin
K
vr
2

Doublet

The doublet occurs when a source and a sink of the same

strength are collocated the same location, say at the origin.
This can be obtained by placing a source at (-a,0) and a sink of
equal strength at (a,0) and then letting a 0, and K , with
Ka kept constant, say aK/2=B
For source of K at (-a,0) and sink of K at (a,0)

K
2 ar sin

tan -1

2
2
r

a
2

ln
2

and

r 2 a 2 2 ar cos
r 2 a 2 2 ar cos

Under these limiting conditions of a 0, K , we have

2arsin 2asin
lim tan -1 2

2
a 0
r
r a
r 2 a 2 2arcos 2a

lim ln
cos
a 0
r 2 a 2 2arcos r

Doublet (Summary)

Adding 1 and 2 together,

performing some algebra,
Therefore, as a0 and K
with aK/2=B then:

B is the doublet strength

The velocity components for a doublet may be found the same way we
found them for the source

&

Examples of Irrotational Flows Formed by Superposition

Superposition of sink and vortex : bathtub vortex

Superposition of sink and vortex :

bathtub vortex

Sink

Vortex

Superposition of Source and Uniform Flow

Assuming the uniform flow U is in x-direction and the source of K

stregth at(0,0), the potential and stream functions of the
superposed potential flow become:

&

&

Source in Uniform Stream

The velocity components are:

vr

U cos
and v
U sin
r
2r
r

A stagnation point (vr=v=0) occurs at

K
K
rsU
2U
2

and rs

Therefore, the streamline passing through the stagnation point

when

The maximum height of the s

h rsin

K
2

K
rsU
2
curve is

K
as 0 and r
2U

Source in Uniform Stream

Stag. point

m
2

m
2

Superposition of basic flows

Streamlines created by
injecting dye in steadily
flowing water show a
uniform flow.
Source flow is created by
injecting water through a
small hole.
It is observed that for this
combination the streamline
passing through the
stagnation point could be
replaced by a solid
boundary which resembles
a streamlined body in a
uniform flow.
The body is open at the
downstream end and is thus
called a halfbody.

Rankine Ovals

The 2D Rankine ovals are the results of the superposition of equal

strength (K) sink and source at x=a and a with a uniform flow in xdirection.

Rankine Ovals

2
2
K r a 2a r cos
ln
U r cos
2 r 2 a 2 2a r cos

K
2a r sin
tan 1 2
U r sin
2
r
a
2

Equivalently,

The velocity components are given by:

vr

r cos a
rcos a
K
2

r 2 r a 2 2a r cos r 2 a 2 2ar cos

K
r sin
r sin

2
2
2
r 2 r a 2a r sin r a 2ar sin

The stagnation
points occur at
where V = 0 with
corresponding s = 0

1
2

Ka
x
xs
1
a 2 , i.e., s
a
U a

U
ys 0

1
2

Rankine Ovals

The maximum height of the Rankine oval is located at

when = s = 0 ,i.e.,

2ar0
K
1
0
U r0
tan 2
2
2
r0 a
or
2
2U a ro
r0 1 r0
1 tan

a 2 a
K
a

which can only be solved numerically.

r0 ,
2

Flow around a Cylinder: Steady Cylinder

Flow around a steady circular cylinder is the limiting case of a

Rankine oval when a0.
This becomes the superposition of a uniform parallel flow with a
doublet in x-direction.
Under this limit and with B = a.K /2 =constant, the radius of
the cylinder is:.
1

B 2

R rs
U

Flow around a Cylinder: Steady Cylinder

The stream function and velocity potential become:

R2
Bcos
U r 1 2 cos
U rcos

r
r

and
R2
Bsin
U rsin
U r 1 2 sin
r
r

The radial and circumferential velocities are:

R2
R2

U 1 2 cos and v
vr

U 1 2 sin

r r
r
r
r
r

Steady Cylinder

On the cylinder surface (r = R)

vr 0 and v 2U sin
Normal velocity (vr) is zero,
Tangential velocity (v) is non-zero
slip condition.

Pressure Distribution on a Circular Cylinder

Using the irrotational flow approximation, we can calculate and plot

the non-dimensional static pressure distribution on the surface of
a circular cylinder of radius R in a uniform stream of speed U .
The pressure far away from the cylinder is p
p p
Pressure coefficient:
Cp
1
U 2
2
Since the flow in the region of interest is irrotational, we use the
Bernoulli equation to calculate the pressure anywhere in the flow
field. Ignoring the effects of gravity
Bernoullis equation:
p V2
p U 2

cons tan t

2
Rearranging Cp Eq. , we get

p p
V2
Cp
1 2
1
U
2
U
2

Pressure Distribution on a Circular Cylinder

We substitute our expression for

tangential velocity on the cylinder
surface, since along the surface V2 =
v2; the Eq. becomes

(2U 2 sin ) 2
1 4 sin 2
Cp 1
2
U
In terms of angle , defined from the
front of the body, we use the
transformation = - to obtain Cp in
terms of angle :

C p 1 4 sin 2

We plot the pressure coefficient on the

top half of the cylinder as a function of
angle , solid blue curve.

Pressure distribution on a fish

Somewhere between the front stagnation point and the

aerodynamic shoulder is a point on the body surface where the
speed just above the body is equal to V, the pressure P is equal to
P , and Cp = 0. This point is called the zero pressure point
At this point, the pressure acting normal to the body surface is
the same (P = P), regardless of how fast the body moves
through the fluid.
This fact is a factor in the location of fish eyes .

Pressure distribution on a fish

If a fishs eye were located closer to its nose, the eye would
experience an increase in water pressure as the fish swimsthe
faster it would swim, the higher the water pressure on its eye
would be. This would cause the soft eyeball to distort, affecting
the fishs vision. Likewise, if the eye were located farther back,
near the aerodynamic shoulder, the eye would experience a
relative suction pressure when the fish would swim, again
distorting its eyeball and blurring its vision.
Experiments have revealed that the fishs eye is instead located
very close to the zero-pressure point where P = P , and the
fish can swim at any speed without distorting its vision.
Incidentally, the back of the gills is located near the
aerodynamic shoulder so that the suction pressure there helps
the fish to exhale.
The heart is also located near this lowest pressure point to
increase the hearts stroke volume during rapid swimming.

Rotating Cylinder
The potential flows for a rotating cylinder is the free vortex flow.
Therefore, the potential flow of a uniform parallel flow past a
rotating cylinder at high Reynolds number is the superposition of a
uniform parallel flow, a doublet and free vortex.
Hence, the stream function and the velocity potential are given by

R2

U r 1 2 cos
r
2

R2

U r 1 2 sin
lnr

r
2

The radial and circumferential velocities are given by

R2

vr

U 1 2 cos
r
r r

R2

U 1 2 sin
v

r
r
r
2 r

Rotating Cylinder

The stagnation points occur at

From

vr s 0

Case A : rs R
Case A : rs R :

vr s v s 0
R2
U 1 2 cos s 0
r
s

OR Case B : cos s 0

v s 2U sin s

Solution only exits when

0
2 R

1
4 RU

2
2

ys Rsin s
& xs R y s R1
4 RU
4 RU

1
2

Rotating Cylinder
Case B : cos s 0 sin s 1 sign with

v s

R2

0
0 U 1 2

r 2 R

rs

1


R 4 RU 4 RU

which implies

4 RU

Rotating Cylinder

The stagnation points occur at

Case 1:

Case 2:

1
4RU

Case 3:

1
4RU

1
4RU

1
2

1 for positive real r

s

Rotating Cylinder

Case 1:

1
4RU

ys

R 4 RU

and

xs

1
R
4 RU

1
2

Rotating Cylinder

Case 2:

1
4RU

The two stagnation points merge to one at cylinder surface

where
.

xs , ys 0, R

Rotating Cylinder

Case 3:

1
4RU

The stagnation point occurs outside the cylinder when

where y . r
s

The condition of

v 0

leads to
1
2

y s rs

1


R R 4r0U 4 RU

ys

Therefore, as

1
1 , we have
R

RU
2
4 RU

Rotating Cylinder

Case 3:

1
4RU

Stagnation points
locations around a
cylinder

Lift Force

The force per unit length of cylinder due to pressure on the

cylinder surface can be obtained by integrating the surface
pressure around the cylinder.
The tangential velocity along the cylinder surface is obtained by
letting r = R,

v 0

2U sin
2R0
r r R

The surface pressure p0 as obtained from Bernoulli equation is

2

2U sin

U 2
2R

p
p0
2
2

where p is the pressure at far away from the cylinder (free

stream)

Lift Force

Hence,

p0 p

U 2

2
2
1 4sin
sin 2 2 2

RU
4 R U

The force due to pressure in x and y directions are then

obtained by

F Fx i Fy j p0 ds [ p0 Rcos d i p0 Rsind j]
C

where ds ro d cos i sin j

D arg : Fx

and Lift :

p0 cos Rd 0

Fy

p0sin Rd U

Lift Force

The development of the lift on rotating bodies is called the

Magnus effect.
It is clear that the lift force is due to circulation around the
body.
An airfoil without rotation can develop a circulation around the
airfoil when Kutta condition is satisfied at the rear tip of the air
foil.
Therefore, The tangential velocity along the cylinder surface is
obtained by letting r = R
This forms the base of aerodynamic theory of airplane.
Magnus Effect:
The Magnus effect was first described by (and thusly named
after) Heinrich Magnus in 1852.
Magnus discovered that a rotating cylinder experiences a force,
when held into a streaming fluid. The force is perpendicular to the
direction of the streaming fluid and the axis of rotation.

Magnus Effect

Applications of Magnus effect

How Carlos scored an impossible goal?

Funny soccer joke ~

Reporter: How does understanding the laws of motion help with your
game?
Roberto: There are laws?

The harder you kick

a ball the more curve
it will experience.
Curving ball is use to
be trick goalies and
to score amazing
goals like this one
from 35m out

APPLICATION: BASEBALL PITCH

48

EXAMPLES

Pitch: Overhand curveball

Pitch: Split-Finger Fastball

MLB Speed: 85-90 MPH
1300 RPM (10 Revolutions)

49

FLETTNER ROTOR SHIP

Length: 100 ft
Displacement: 800 tons
Rotors: 50 ft high, 9ft diameter

50

FLETTNER SHIP

Flettner rotor ship in NYC harbor, May 9, 1926

Since power to propel a ship varies as cube of its speed, 50 hp used
for this auxiliary propulsion system represented a large increase in
fuel
efficiency
51

FLETTNER ROTOR SHIP: EXAMPLE

Flettner Rotor Ship Data:

Approximately 100 ft long, displaced 800 tons and wetted
area of 3,500 ft2
Two rotors each 50 ft tall and 9 ft diameter rotating at
approximately 750 RPM
Measured lift coefficient was 10 and measured drag
coefficient was 4
Water drag resistance coefficient of boat CD = 0.005

E-Ship 1

The E-Ship 1 is a RoLo cargo ship that made its first voyage with
cargo in August 2010.
The ship is owned by the third-largest wind turbine
manufacturer, Germany's Enercon GmbH.
It is used to transport wind turbine components.

Experimental Wind Power Station

Prototype from Russian was not possible to put it to practical

use.
Spiral column was invented (national patent).
April 2005 machine experiment of new Magnus Windmill 5 m
plant was completed - a real proof experiment begins for
various data collections.

Wind Power Station Utilizing Lift of a Rotating Cylinder

Wind Power Station Utilizing

Lift of a Rotating Cylinder

Flettner Rotorflugzeug

Roman Fischer -Flettner Rotorflugzeug span: 150 cm , 4,3 kg,

Electro Graduation project about the Magnus effecf

Gyrocopter

Gyrocopter

Fan Wing