Vortex shedding from spheres

Abstract
Vortex shedding from spheres has been studied in the Reynolds number range 400 < Re < 5 × 106. At low Reynolds numbers, i.e. up to Re = 3 × 103, the values of the Strouhal number as a function of Reynolds number measured by Möller (1938) have been confirmed using water flow. The lower critical Reynolds number, first reported by Cometta (1957), was found to be Re = 6 × 103. Here a discontinuity in the relationship between the Strouhal and Reynolds numbers is obvious. From Re = 6 × 103 to Re = 3 × 105 strong periodic fluctuations in the wake flow were observed. Beyond the upper critical Reynolds number (Re = 3.7 × 105) periodic vortex shedding could not be detected by the present measurement techniques.The hot-wire measurements indicate that the signals recorded simultaneously at different positions on the 75° circle (normal to the flow) show a phase shift. Thus it appears that the vortex separation point rotates around the sphere. An attempt is made to interpret this experimental evidence.

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