Abstract
Fluid flow fields and fall patterns of falling planar ice crystals are studied by numerically solving the unsteady, incompressible Navier–Stokes equations using a commercially available computational fluid dynamics package. The ice crystal movement and orientation are explicitly simulated based on hydrodynamic forces and torques representing the 6 degrees of freedom. This study extends the current framework by investigating four planar-type ice crystals: crystals with sector-like branches, crystals with broad branches, stellar crystals, and ordinary dendritic crystals. The crystals range from 0.2 to 5 mm in maximum dimension, corresponding to Reynolds number ranges from 0.2 to 384. The results indicate that steady flow fields are generated for flows with Reynolds numbers less than 100; larger plates generate unsteady flow fields and exhibit horizontal translation, rotation, and oscillation. Empirical formulas for the drag coefficient, 900-hPa terminal velocity, and ventilation effect are given. Fall trajectory, pressure distribution, wake structure, vapor field, and vorticity field are examined.
Current affiliation: National Weather Service, Silver Spring, Maryland.
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