Journal of Applied Mechanical Engineering

Flow structure in the vicinity of flapping elephantsâ?? pinnae and thermal implications

2^nd International Conference on Fluid Dynamics & Aerodynamics

October 19-20, 2017 | Rome, Italy

Moise Y Koffi

Hostos Community College, USA

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Appl Mech Eng

Abstract:

The study of the flow induced by rotationally oscillating surfaces has sparked scientific interest in recent decades due to its expanding applications to several areas. However, limited experimental data on such flows are found in previous work. The current study focuses on the flow originated by the flapping of elephantsâ?? pinnae. Due to their large size, elephants produce tremendous metabolic heat. However, how they dissipate their heat has been disputed for decades. It is hypothesized that the flapping of their pinnae is the principal thermoregulatory mechanism for elephants. The present experimental and computational work investigates the flow structure in the vicinity of a flapping elephant pinna and analyzes its impact on the animalâ??s heat dissipation. Two models of elephant pinnae, one flexible and one rigid were fabricated and tested in the laboratory using flow visualization techniques with smoke particles. Small size J-types thermocouples were used to monitor the surface temperature of the pinna models over flapping cycles, while a constant heat flux was applied to both sides. A 3-D computational investigation of the flow and surface thermal characteristics in the vicinity of a pinna model was carried with fluent using the dynamic mesh method. Computer simulations and flow visualization results revealed the presence of a hook-shaped vortex at the edge of the moving pinnae. The time-dependent surface temperature of the pinna reaches an asymptotic profile at steady state. A significant interaction between the vortical structures shed off the edge and the pinnaâ??s model's boundary layer was found from the flow visualization results, which leads to heat transfer enhancement. The cooling rate of the pinna is improved by 30% for the flexible model compared to the rigid one. In conclusion, elephants flap their pinnae for thermal comfort. Recommendations are made to consider this key information in elephantsâ?? conservation.

Biography :

Moise Y Koffi has his expertise in the flow induced by rotationally oscillating flat plates. His investigation model based is on Computational Fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation with Ansys Fluent examines flow parameters and local surface thermal characteristics in the vicinity of rotating devices. His experimental method using flow visualization techniques gives an illustration of fluid dynamics and nature. As he explores new techniques of cooling and locomotion based on rotationally oscillatory devices he has passion using an engineering approach to analyze biological systems.