Modulation of re-circulation zone behind a square obstruction by blower-induced suction force through an array of small openings in the bed

This study focuses on using suction force generated by a blower at high Reynolds numbers to manipulate and eliminate the re-circulation region behind a fully submerged 2D square bluff body. A square obstruction is introduced in an open channel, followed by an array of small downstream openings. The presence of a strong re-circulation zone and vortex shedding in the wake can lead to unwanted vortex-induced vibrations, posing a risk of structural damage. The investigation explores the control of the re-circulation by the variation of both suction force and suction-panel length. Numerical simulations employ a 2-phase volume of fluid (VOF) model with open channel boundary conditions and the standard \(k-\epsilon\) $k-ϵ$ turbulence model for solving momentum and continuity equations. The re-circulation zone is identified by analyzing the negative mean stream-wise velocity and visualizing it through streamline contour plots. Various suction velocities are examined to redistribute or completely eliminate the re-circulation region.