Prediction of developing turbulent flow in 90°‐curved ducts using linear and non‐linear low‐Re k–ε models

This paper reports the outcome of applying two different low‐Reynolds‐number eddy‐viscosity models to resolve the complex three‐dimensional motion that arises in turbulent flows in ducts with 90^° bends. For the modelling of turbulence, the Launder and Sharma low‐Re k–ε model and a recently produced variant of the cubic non‐linear low‐Re k–ε model have been employed. In this paper, developing turbulent flow through two different 90^° bends is examined: a square bend, and a rectangular bend with an aspect ratio of 6. The numerical results indicate that for the bend of square cross‐section the curvature induces a strong secondary flow, while for the rectangular cross‐section the secondary motion is confined to the corner regions. For both curved ducts, the secondary motion persists downstream of the bend and eventually slowly disappears. For the bend of square cross‐section, comparisons indicate that both turbulence models can produce reasonable predictions. For the bend of rectangular cross‐section, for which a wider range of data is available, while both turbulence models produce satisfactory predictions of the mean flow field, the non‐linear k–ε model returns superior predictions of the turbulence field and also of the pressure and friction coefficients. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Two‐dimensional prediction of time dependent,turbulent flow around a square cylinder confined in a channel

This paper presents two‐dimensional and unsteady RANS computations of time dependent, periodic, turbulent flow around a square block. Two turbulence models are used: the Launder–Sharma low‐Reynolds number k–ε model and a non‐linear extension sensitive to the anisotropy of turbulence. The Reynolds number based on the free stream velocity and obstacle side is Re=2.2×10⁴. The present numerical results have been obtained using a finite volume code that solves the governing equations in a vertical plane, located at the lateral mid‐point of the channel. The pressure field is obtained with the SIMPLE algorithm. A bounded version of the third‐order QUICK scheme is used for the convective terms. Comparisons of the numerical results with the experimental data indicate that a preliminary steady solution of the governing equations using the linear k–ε does not lead to correct flow field predictions in the wake region downstream of the square cylinder. Consequently, the time derivatives of dependent variables are included in the transport equations and are discretized using the second‐order Crank–Nicolson scheme. The unsteady computations using the linear and non‐linear k–ε models significantly improve the velocity field predictions. However, the linear k–ε shows a number of predictive deficiencies, even in unsteady flow computations, especially in the prediction of the turbulence field. The introduction of a non‐linear k–ε model brings the two‐dimensional unsteady predictions of the time‐averaged velocity and turbulence fields and also the predicted values of the global parameters such as the Strouhal number and the drag coefficient to close agreement with the data. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Numerical study of hysteresis in annular swirling jets with a stepped‐conical nozzle

This study investigates the experimentally observed hysteresis in the mean flow field of an annular swirling jet with a stepped‐conical nozzle. The flow is simulated using the Reynolds‐averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) approach for incompressible flow with a k–ε and a Reynolds stress transport (RSTM) turbulence model. Four different flow structures are observed depending on the swirl number: ‘closed jet flow’, ‘open jet flow low swirl’, ‘open jet flow high swirl’ and ‘coanda jet flow’. These flow patterns change with varying swirl number and hysteresis at low and intermediate swirl numbers is revealed when increasing and subsequently decreasing the swirl. The influence of the inlet velocity profile on the transitional swirl numbers is investigated. When comparing computational fluid dynamics with experiments, the results show that both turbulence models predict the four different flow structures and the associated hysteresis and multiple solutions at low and intermediate swirl numbers. Therefore, a good agreement exists between experiments and numerics. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Numerical prediction of a turbulent curved wake and comparison with experimental data

Numerical studies of the curved wake of a NACA 0012 airfoil of chord length 0.150 m are presented. The airfoil is placed in air at 10 m/s in the straight section of a duct of 0.457 m × 0.457 m cross‐section followed by a 90° bend with a mean radius‐to‐height ratio of 1.17. The trailing edge is located at one chord length upstream of the bend entry plane. The authors' own measurements are used to define the boundary conditions and for comparison with the predicted results. The numerical models are based on the time‐averaged, three‐dimensional conservation equations of fluid flow, incorporating the k–ε, RNG k–ε, realizable k–ε and the Reynolds stress turbulence models. The results show that the models are capable of predicting the effects of curvature on the wake development. However, quantitative differences between prediction and experiment exist. The results obtained using the Reynolds stress model show better agreement with the experimental data, compared with the k–ε based models, but not consistently for all parameters. There are also better predictions by the RNG k–ε and realizable k–ε models compared with the standard k–ε model. The predicted results using the RNG k–ε are closer to experimental data than the realizable k–ε. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Computation of strongly swirling confined flows with cubic eddy‐viscosity turbulence models

An investigation on the predictive performance of four cubic eddy‐viscosity turbulence models for two strongly swirling confined flows is presented. Comparisons of the prediction with the experiments show clearly the superiority of cubic models over the linear k–εmodel. The linear k–εmodel does not contain any mechanism to describe the stabilizing effects of swirling motion and as a consequence it performs poorly. Cubic models return a lower level of Reynolds stresses and the combined forced‐free vortex profiles of tangential velocity close to the measurements in response to the interaction between swirl‐induced curvature and stresses. However, a fully developed rotating pipe flow is too simple to contain enough flow physics, so the calibration of cubic terms is still a topic of investigation. It is shown that explicit algebraic stress models require fewer calibrations and contain more flow physics. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

On the performance of sudden‐expansion pipe without/with cross‐flow injection: experimental and numerical studies

The paper explores the possibilities that different turbulence closures offer, for in‐depth analysis of a complex flow. The case under investigation is steady, turbulent flow in a pipe with sudden expansion without/with normal‐to‐wall injection through jets. This is a typical geometry where generation of turbulence energy takes place, due to sudden change in boundary conditions. This study is aimed at investigating the capability of a developed computational program by the present authors with three different turbulence models to calculate the mean flow variables. Three two‐equation models are implemented, namely the standard linear k ? ε model, the low Reynolds number k ? ε model and the cubic nonlinear eddy viscosity (NLEV) k ? ε model. The performance of the chosen turbulence models is investigated with regard to the available data in the literature including velocity profiles, turbulent kinetic energy and reattachment position in a pipe expansion. In order to further assess the reliability of the turbulence models, an experimental program was conducted by the present authors also at the fluid mechanics laboratory of Menoufiya University. Preliminary measurements, including the surface pressure along the two walls of the expansion pipe and the pressure drop without and with the presence of different arrangements of wall jets produced by symmetrical or asymmetrical fluid cross‐flow injection, are introduced. The results of the present studies demonstrate the superiority of the cubic NLEV k ? ε model in predicting the flow characteristics over the entire domain. The simple low Reynolds number k ? ε model also gives good prediction, especially when the reattachment point is concerned. The evaluation of the reattachment point and the pressure‐loss coefficient is numerically addressed in the paper using the cubic NLEV k ? ε model. The results show that the injection location can control the performance of the pipe‐expansion system. It is concluded that the introduction of flow injection can increase the energy loss in the pipe expansion. The near‐field turbulence structure is also considered in the present study and it is noticed that the turbulence level is strongly affected by the cross‐flow injection and the jet location. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Computations of strongly swirling flows with second‐moment closures

The present study is concerned with simulating turbulent, strongly swirling flows by eddy viscosity model and Reynolds stress transport model variants adopting linear and quadratic form of the pressure–strain models. Flows with different inlet swirl numbers, 2.25 and 0.85, were investigated. Detailed comparisons of the predicted results and measurements were presented to assess the merits of model variants. For the swirl number 2.25 case, due to the inherent capability of the Reynolds stress models to capture the strong swirl and turbulence interaction, both the linear and quadratic form of the pressure–strain models predict the flow adequately. In strong contrast, the k–ϵ model predicts an excessively diffusive flow fields. For the swirl number 0.85 case, both the k–ϵ and Reynolds stress model with linear pressure–strain process, show an excessive diffusive transport of the flow fields. The quadratic pressure–strain model, on the other hand, mimics the correct flow development with the recirculating region being correctly predicted. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Experimental validation of two depth‐averaged turbulence models

A finite volume turbulence model for the resolution of the two‐dimensional shallow water equations with turbulent term is presented. After making a finite volume discretization of the depth‐averaged k–ε equations in conservative form, the q–r equations, that give stability to the process, are obtained. Wall and inlet boundary conditions for the turbulent equations and wall conditions for the hydrodynamic equations are discussed. A comparison between the k–ε and q–r models and some experimental results is made. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Calculation of three‐dimensional turbulent flow with a finite volume multigrid method

A numerical method for the efficient calculation of three‐dimensional incompressible turbulent flow in curvilinear co‐ordinates is presented. The mathematical model consists of the Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes equations and the k–ε turbulence model. The numerical method is based on the SIMPLE pressure‐correction algorithm with finite volume discretization in curvilinear co‐ordinates. To accelerate the convergence of the solution method a full approximation scheme‐full multigrid (FAS‐FMG) method is utilized. The solution of the k–ε transport equations is embedded in the multigrid iteration. The improved convergence characteristic of the multigrid method is demonstrated by means of several calculations of three‐dimensional flow cases. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Verification testing in computational fluid dynamics: an example using Reynolds‐averaged Navier–Stokes methods for two‐dimensional flow in the near wake of a circular cylinder

Verification testing was performed for various Reynolds‐averaged Navier–Stokes methods for uniform flow past a circular cylinder at Re= 5232. The standard and renormalized group (RNG) versions of the k–ε method were examined, along with the Boussinesq, Speziale and Launder constitutive relationships. Wind tunnel experiments for flow past a circular cylinder were also performed to obtain a comparative data set. Preliminary studies demonstrate poor convergence for the Speziale relationship. Verification testing with the standard and RNG k–ε models suggests that the simulations exhibit global monotonic convergence for the Boussinesq models. However, the global order of accuracy of the methods was much lower than the expected order of accuracy of 2. For this reason, pointwise convergence ratios and orders of accuracy were computed to show that not all sampling locations had converged (standard k–ε model: 19% failed to converge; RNG k–ε model: 14% failed to converge). When the non‐convergent points were removed from consideration, the average orders of accuracy are closer to the expected value (standard k–ε model: 1.41; RNG k–ε model: 1.27). Poor iterative and global grid convergence was found for the RNG k–ε/Launder model. The standard and RNG k–ε models with the Boussinesq relationship were compared with experimental data and yielded results significantly different from the experiments. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Numerical predictions of the bifurcation of confined swirling flows

The bifurcation of confined swirling flows was numerically investigated by employing both the k-? and algebraic stress turbulence models. Depending upon the branch solution examined, dual flow patterns were predicted at certain swirl levels. In the lower-branch solution which is obtained by gradually increasing the swirl level from a low-swirl flow, the flow changes with increasing swirl number from the low-swirl flow pattern to a high-swirl flow pattern. In the upper-branch solution which is acquired by gradually decreasing the swirl level from a high-swirl flow, on the other hand, the flow can maintain itself in the high-swirl flow pattern at the swirl levels where it exhibits the low-swirl flow pattern in the lower branch. The bifurcation of confined swirling flows was predicted with either the k-? model or the algebraic stress model being employed. Both the k-? and algebraic stress models result in comparable and sufficiently good predictions for confined swirling flows if high-order numerical schemes are used. The reported poor performance of the k-? model was clarified to be mainly attributable to the occurrence of the bifurcation and the use of low-order numerical schemes.     

Numerical simulation of turbulent free surface flow with two‐equation k–ε eddy‐viscosity models

This paper presents a finite difference technique for solving incompressible turbulent free surface fluid flow problems. The closure of the time‐averaged Navier–Stokes equations is achieved by using the two‐equation eddy‐viscosity model: the high‐Reynolds k–ε (standard) model, with a time scale proposed by Durbin; and a low‐Reynolds number form of the standard k–ε model, similar to that proposed by Yang and Shih. In order to achieve an accurate discretization of the non‐linear terms, a second/third‐order upwinding technique is adopted. The computational method is validated by applying it to the flat plate boundary layer problem and to impinging jet flows. The method is then applied to a turbulent planar jet flow beneath and parallel to a free surface. Computations show that the high‐Reynolds k–ε model yields favourable predictions both of the zero‐pressure‐gradient turbulent boundary layer on a flat plate and jet impingement flows. However, the results using the low‐Reynolds number form of the k–ε model are somewhat unsatisfactory. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A manufactured solution for a two-dimensional steady wall-bounded incompressible turbulent flow

This paper presents a manufactured solution (MS), resembling a two-dimensional, steady, wall-bounded, incompressible, turbulent flow for RANS codes verification. The specified flow field satisfies mass conservation, but requires additional source terms in the momentum equations. To also allow verification of the correct implementation of the turbulence models transport equations, the proposed MS exhibits most features of a true near-wall turbulent flow. The model is suited for testing six eddy-viscosity turbulence models: the one-equation models of Spalart and Allmaras and Menter; the standard two-equation k–ε model and the low-Reynolds version proposed by Chien; the TNT and BSL versions of the k–ω model.     

Finite element implementation of two‐equation and algebraic stress turbulence models for steady incompressible flows

The main purpose of this paper is to describe a finite element formulation for solving the equations for k and ε of the classical k–ε turbulence model, or any other two‐equation model. The finite element discretization is based on the SUPG method together with a discontinuity capturing technique to deal with sharp internal and boundary layers. The iterative strategy consists of several nested loops, the outermost being the linearization of the Navier–Stokes equations. The basic k–ε model is used for the implementation of an algebraic stress model that is able to account for the effects of rotation. Some numerical examples are presented in order to show the performance of the proposed scheme for simulating directly steady flows, without the need of reaching the steady state through a transient evolution. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

3D numerical simulation of compressible swirling flow induced by means of tangential inlets

The objective of the present work is to predict compressible swirl flow in the nozzle of air‐jet spinning using the realizable k–ε turbulence model and discuss the effect of the nozzle pressure. The periodic change of flow patterns can be observed. The recirculation zone near the wall of the injectors upstream increases in size and moves gradually upstream, whereas the vortex breakdown in the injector downstream shifts slowly towards the nozzle outlet during the whole period. A low axial velocity in the core region moves gradually away from the centerline, and the magnitude of the center reverse flow and the area occupied by it increase with axial distance due to the vortex breakdown. From the tangential velocity profile, there is a very small free‐vortex zone. With increasing nozzle pressure, the velocity increases and the location of vortex breakdown is moved slightly downward. However, the increase in the velocity tends to decline at nozzle pressure up to a high level. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluation of erosion in a two‐way coupled fluid–particle system

In this study, the effects of flow turbulence intensity, temperature, particle sizes and impinging velocity on erosion by particle impact are demonstrated numerically. Underlying turbulent flow on an Eulerian frame is described by the compressible Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes equations with a RNG k–ε turbulence model. The particle trajectories and particle–wall interactions are evaluated by a Eulerian–Lagrangian approach in a two‐way coupling system. An erosion model considering material weight removal from surfaces is used to predict erosive wear. Computational validation against measured data is demonstrated satisfactorily. The analysis of erosion shows that the prevention of erosion is enhanced by increasing the effects of flow temperature and turbulence intensity and reducing particle inertial momentum. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Low Reynolds number k–ε model for near‐wall flow

A wall‐distance free k–ε turbulence model is developed that accounts for the near‐wall and low Reynolds number effects emanating from the physical requirements. The model coefficients/functions depend non‐linearly on both the strain rate and vorticity invariants. Included diffusion terms and modified C_ε(1,2) coefficients amplify the level of dissipation in non‐equilibrium flow regions, thus reducing the kinetic energy and length scale magnitudes to improve prediction of adverse pressure gradient flows, involving flow separation and reattachment. The model is validated against a few flow cases, yielding predictions in good agreement with the direct numerical simulation (DNS) and experimental data. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Development of a hybrid k-ε turbulence model for swirling recirculating flows under moderate to strong swirl intensities

A hybrid k-ε turbulence model, based on the concept that the modification of anisotropic effects should not be made in the flow regions inherent to small streamline curvatures, has been developed and examined with the swirling recirculating flows, with the swirl levels ranging from 0·6 to 1·23 in abrupt pipe expansion. A fairly satisfactory agreement of model predictions with the experimental data shows that this hybrid k-ε model can perform better simulation of swirling recirculating flows as compared to the standard k-ε model and the modified k-ε model proposed by Abujelala and Lilley.     

Numerical study of turbulent flow over two‐dimensional surface‐mounted ribs in a channel

This study accurately predicts the cases of turbulent flow around a surface‐mounted two‐dimensional rib with varying lengths. The numerical method employs a differencing scheme for integrating the elliptic Reynolds‐averaged Navier–Stokes equations and the continuity equation. A two‐equation k–ε turbulence model is employed to simulate the turbulent transport quantities and close the solving problem. The near‐wall regions of the separated sides of the rib are resolved by a near‐wall model of a two‐layer approach instead of the wall function approximation. Computations for flow over a surface‐mounted rectangular rib are conducted for the variations in the rib lengths. Results indicate that upstream of the obstacle, the length of the recirculating region remains unchanged with varying rib lengths; while the downstream length of the recirculating region is a strong function of rib length and changes nearly linearly for the varying lengths of B/H=0.1 to B/H=4.0. Reattachment on top of the rib, owing to its increasing length, affects the downstream boundary layer development. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A non‐linear k–ε model with realizability for prediction of flows around bluff bodies

The incompressible flow around bluff bodies (a square cylinder and a cube) is investigated numerically using turbulence models. A non‐linear k–ε model, which can take into account the anisotropy of turbulence with less CPU time and computer memory then RSM or LES, is adopted as a turbulence model. In tuning of the model coefficients of the non‐linear terms are adjusted through the examination of previous experimental studies in simple shear flows. For the tuning of the coefficient in the eddy viscosity (=C_μ), the realizability constraints are derived in three types of basic 2D flow patterns, namely, a simple shear flow, flow around a saddle and a focal point. C_μ is then determined as a function of the strain and rotation parameters to satisfy the realizability. The turbulence model is first applied to a 2D flow around a square cylinder and the model performance for unsteady flows is examined focussing on the period and the amplitude of the flow oscillation induced by Karman vortex shedding. The applicability of the model to 3D flows is examined through the computation of the flow around a surface‐mounted cubic obstacle. The numerical results show that the present model performs satisfactorily to reproduce complex turbulent flows around bluff bodies. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.