Numerical simulation of flow in a circular duct fitted with air‐jet vortex generators

Most of the fundamental studies of the use of air‐jet vortex generators (AJVGs) have concentrated on their potential ability to inhibit boundary layer separation on aerofoils. However, AJVGs may be of use in controlling or enhancing certain features of internal duct flows. For example, they may be of use in controlling the boundary layer at the entrance to engine air intakes, or as a means of increasing mixing and heat transfer. The objective of this paper is to analyse the flow field in the proximity of an air‐jet vortex generator array in a duct by using two local numerical models, i.e. a simple flat plate model and a more geometrically faithful sector model. The sector model mirrors the circular nature of the duct's cross‐section and the centre line conditions on the upper boundary. The flow was assumed fully turbulent and was solved using the finite volume, Navier–Stokes Code CFX 4 (CFDS, AEA Technology, Harwell) on a non‐orthogonal, body‐fitted, grid using the k–ε turbulence model and standard wall functions. Streamwise, vertical and cross‐stream velocity profiles, circulation and peak vorticity decay, peak vorticity paths in cross‐stream and streamwise direction, cross‐stream vorticity profiles and cross‐stream wall shear stress distributions were predicted. Negligible difference in results was observed between the flat plate and the sector model, since the produced vortices were small relative to the duct diameter and close to the surface. The flow field was most enhanced, i.e. maximum thinning of the boundary layer, with a configuration of 30° pitch and 75° skew angle. No significant difference in results could be observed between co‐ and counter‐rotating vortex arrays. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluation of one‐ and two‐equation low‐Re turbulence models. Part I—Axisymmetric separating and swirling flows

This first segment of the two‐part paper systematically examines several turbulence models in the context of three flows, namely a simple flat‐plate turbulent boundary layer, an axisymmetric separating flow, and a swirling flow. The test cases are chosen on the basis of availability of high‐quality and detailed experimental data. The tested turbulence models are integrated to solid surfaces and consist of: Rodi's two‐layer k–ε model, Chien's low‐Reynolds number k–ε model, Wilcox's k–ω model, Menter's two‐equation shear‐stress‐transport model, and the one‐equation model of Spalart and Allmaras. The objective of the study is to establish the prediction accuracy of these turbulence models with respect to axisymmetric separating flows, and flows of high streamline curvature. At the same time, the study establishes the minimum spatial resolution requirements for each of these turbulence closures, and identifies the proper low‐Mach‐number preconditioning and artificial diffusion settings of a Reynolds‐averaged Navier–Stokes algorithm for optimum rate of convergence and minimum adverse impact on prediction accuracy. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Reynolds‐stress modelling of M = 2.25 shock‐wave/turbulent boundary‐layer interaction

M = 2.25 shock‐wave/turbulent‐boundary‐layer interactions over a compression ramp for several angles (8, 13 and 18°) at Reynolds‐number Re=7 × 10³ were simulated with three low‐Reynolds second‐moment closures and a linear low‐Reynolds standard k–ε model. A detailed assessment of the turbulence closures by comparison with both mean‐flow and turbulent experimental quantities is presented. The Reynolds‐stress model which is wall‐topology free and which uses an optimized redistribution closure, is in good agreement with experimental data both for wall‐pressure and mean‐velocity profiles. Detailed analysis of three components of the Reynolds‐stress tensor (comparison with measurements and transport‐equation budgets) provides a critical evaluation of full Reynolds‐stress models for the separated supersonic compression ramp. The discrepancy observed in the shock‐wave foot region, between computations and measurements for the Reynolds‐stresses profiles, could be explained by considering the experimental shock‐wave oscillation and directions for future modelling work are indicated. Copyright © 2007 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.     

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.     

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.     

Effects of free‐stream turbulence on large‐scale coherent structures of separated boundary layer transition

It has been well established that large‐scale structures, usually called coherent structures, exist in many transitional and turbulent flows. The topology and range of scales of those large‐scale structures vary from flow to flow such as counter‐rotating vortices in wake flows, streaks and hairpin vortices in turbulent boundary layer. There has been relatively little study of large‐scale structures in separated and reattached transitional flows. Large‐eddy simulation (LES) is employed in the current study to investigate a separated boundary layer transition under 2% free‐stream turbulence on a flat plate with a blunt leading edge. The Reynolds number based on the inlet free stream velocity and the plate thickness is 6500. A dynamic subgrid‐scale model is employed to compute the subgrid‐scale stresses more accurately in the current transitional flow case. Flow visualization has shown that the Kelvin–Helmholtz rolls, which have been so clearly visible under no free‐stream turbulence (NFST) are not as apparent in the present study. The Lambda‐shaped vortical structures which can be clearly seen in the NFST case can hardly be identified in the free‐stream turbulence (FST) case. Generally speaking, the effects of free‐stream turbulence have led to an early breakdown of the boundary layer, and hence increased the randomization in the vortical structures, degraded the spanwise coherence of those large‐scale structures. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Numerical simulations of non‐equilibrium turbulent boundary layer flowing over a bump

Large‐eddy simulation (LES) and Reynolds‐averaged Navier–Stokes simulation (RANS) with different turbulence models (including the standard k?ε, the standard k?ω, the shear stress transport k?ω (SST k?ω), and Spalart–Allmaras (S–A) turbulence models) have been employed to compute the turbulent flow of a two‐dimensional turbulent boundary layer over an unswept bump. The predictions of the simulations were compared with available experimental measurements in the literature. The comparisons of the LES and the SST k?ω model including the mean flow and turbulence stresses are in satisfied agreements with the available measurements. Although the flow experiences a strong adverse pressure gradient along the rear surface, the boundary layer is unique in that intermittent detachment occurring near the wall. The numerical results indicate that the boundary layer is not followed by mean‐flow separation or incipient separation as shown from the numerical results. The resolved turbulent shear stress is in a reasonable agreement with the experimental data, though the computational result of LES shows that its peak is overpredicted near the trailing edge of the bump, while the other used turbulence models, except the standard k?ε, underpredicts it. Analysis of the numerical results from LES confirms the experimental data, in which the existence of internal layers over the bump surface upstream of the summit and along the downstream flat plate. It also demonstrates that the quasi‐step increase in skin friction is due to perturbations in pressure gradient. The surface curvature enhances the near‐wall shear production of turbulent stresses, and is responsible for the formation of the internal layers. The aim of the present work is to examine the response and prediction capability of LES with the dynamic eddy viscosity model as a sub‐grid scale to the complex turbulence structure with the presence of streamline curvature generated by a bumpy surface. Aiming to reduce the computational costs with focus on the mean behavior of the non‐equilibrium turbulent boundary layer of flow over the bump surface, the present investigation also explains the best capability of one of the used RANS turbulence models to capture the driving mechanism for the surprisingly rapid return to equilibrium over the trailing flat plate found in the measurements. Copyright © 2010 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.     

An eddy viscosity model with near‐wall modifications

An extended version of the isotropic k–ε model is proposed that accounts for the distinct effects of low‐Reynolds number (LRN) and wall proximity. It incorporates a near‐wall correction term to amplify the level of dissipation in nonequilibrium 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 eddy viscosity formulation maintains the positivity of normal Reynolds stresses and the Schwarz' inequality for turbulent shear stresses. The model coefficients/functions preserve the anisotropic characteristics of turbulence. The model is validated against a few flow cases, yielding predictions in good agreement with the direct numerical simulation (DNS) and experimental data. Comparisons indicate that the present model is a significant improvement over the standard eddy viscosity formulation. Copyright © 2005 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.     

An algorithm for rotating axisymmetric flows: model,validation and industrial applications

The study of axisymmetric flows is of interest not only from an academic point of view, due to the existence of exact solutions of Navier–Stokes equations, but also from an industrial point of view, since these kind of flows are frequently found in several applications. In the present work the development and implementation of a finite element algorithm to solve Navier–Stokes equations with axisymmetric geometry and boundary conditions is presented. Such algorithm allows the simulation of flows with tangential velocity, including free surface flows, for both laminar and turbulent conditions. Pseudo‐concentration technique is used to model the free surface (or the interface between two fluids) and the k–ε model is employed to take into account turbulent effects. The finite element model is validated by comparisons with analytical solutions of Navier–Stokes equations and experimental measurements. Two different industrial applications are presented. Copyright © 2005 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.     

A high‐order discontinuous Galerkin method for all‐speed flows

In this article, we present a discontinuous Galerkin (DG) method designed to improve the accuracy and efficiency of steady solutions of the compressible fully coupled Reynolds‐averaged Navier–Stokes and k ? ω turbulence model equations for solving all‐speed flows. The system of equations is iterated to steady state by means of an implicit scheme. The DG solution is extended to the incompressible limit by implementing a low Mach number preconditioning technique. A full preconditioning approach is adopted, which modifies both the unsteady terms of the governing equations and the dissipative term of the numerical flux function by means of a new preconditioner, on the basis of a modified version of Turkel's preconditioning matrix. At sonic speed the preconditioner reduces to the identity matrix thus recovering the non‐preconditioned DG discretization. An artificial viscosity term is added to the DG discretized equations to stabilize the solution in the presence of shocks when piecewise approximations of order of accuracy higher than 1 are used. Moreover, several rescaling techniques are implemented in order to overcome ill‐conditioning problems that, in addition to the low Mach number stiffness, can limit the performance of the flow solver. These approaches, through a proper manipulation of the governing equations, reduce unbalances between residuals as a result of the dependence on the size of elements in the computational mesh and because of the inherent differences between turbulent and mean‐flow variables, influencing both the evolution of the Courant Friedrichs Lewy (CFL) number and the inexact solution of the linear systems. The performance of the method is demonstrated by solving three turbulent aerodynamic test cases: the flat plate, the L1T2 high‐lift configuration and the RAE2822 airfoil (Case 9). The computations are performed at different Mach numbers using various degrees of polynomial approximations to analyze the influence of the proposed numerical strategies on the accuracy, efficiency and robustness of a high‐order DG solver at different flow regimes. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A simplified v2–f model for near‐wall turbulence

A simplified version of the v²–f model is proposed that accounts for the distinct effects of low‐Reynolds number and near‐wall turbulence. It incorporates modified C_ε(1,2) coefficients to 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. Unlike the conventional v²–f, it requires one additional equation (i.e. the elliptic equation for the elliptic relaxation parameter f_µ) to be solved in conjunction with the k–ε model. The scaling is evaluated from k in collaboration with an anisotropic coefficient C_v and f_µ. Consequently, the model needs no boundary condition on and avoids free stream sensitivity. The model is validated against a few flow cases, yielding predictions in good agreement with the direct numerical simulation (DNS) and experimental data. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Calculation of turbulent fluid flow and heat transfer in ducts by a full Reynolds stress model

A computational method has been developed to predict the turbulent Reynolds stresses and turbulent heat fluxes in ducts by different turbulence models. The turbulent Reynolds stresses and other turbulent flow quantities are predicted with a full Reynolds stress model (RSM). The turbulent heat fluxes are modelled by a SED concept, the GGDH and the WET methods. Two wall functions are used, one for the velocity field and one for the temperature field. All the models are implemented for an arbitrary three‐dimensional channel. Fully developed condition is achieved by imposing cyclic boundary conditions in the main flow direction. The numerical approach is based on the finite volume technique with a non‐staggered grid arrangement. The pressure–velocity coupling is handled by using the SIMPLEC‐algorithm. The convective terms are treated by the van Leer scheme while the diffusive terms are handled by the central‐difference scheme. The hybrid scheme is used for solving the ε equation. The secondary flow generation using the RSM model is compared with a non‐linear k–ε model (non‐linear eddy viscosity model). The overall comparison between the models is presented in terms of the friction factor and Nusselt number. 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.     

A bypass wake induced laminar/turbulent transition

The process of laminar to turbulent transition induced by a von Karman vortex street wake, was studied for the case of a flat plate boundary layer. The boundary layer developed under zero pressure gradient conditions. The vortex street was generated by a cylinder positioned in the free stream. An X-type hot-wire probe located in the boundary layer, measured the streamwise and normal to the wall velocity components. The measurements covered two areas; the region of transition onset and development and the region where the wake and the boundary layer merged producing a turbulent flow. The evolution of Reynolds stresses and rms-values of velocity fluctuations along the transition region are presented and discussed. From the profiles of the Reynolds stress and the mean velocity profile, a ‘negative' energy production region along the transition region, was identified. A quadrant splitting analysis was applied to the instantaneous Reynolds stress signals. The contributions of the elementary coherent structures to the total Reynolds stress were evaluated, for several x-positions of the near wall region. Distinct regions in the streamwise and normal to the wall directions were identified during the transition.     

Implementation of physical boundary conditions into computational domain in modelling of oscillatory bottom boundary layers

This paper discusses the importance of realistic implementation of the physical boundary conditions into computational domain for the simulation of the oscillatory turbulent boundary layer flow over smooth and rough flat beds. A mathematical model composed of the Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes equation, turbulent kinetic energy (k) and dissipation rate of the turbulent kinetic energy (ε) has been developed. Control‐volume approach is used to discretize the governing equations to facilitate the numerical solution. Non‐slip condition is imposed on the bottom surface, and irrotational main flow properties are applied to the upper boundary. The turbulent kinetic energy is zero at the bottom, whereas the dissipation rate is approaching to a constant value, which is proportional to the kinematic viscosity times the second derivative of the turbulent kinetic energy. The output of the model is compared with the available experimental studies conducted in oscillatory tunnels and wave flume. It is observed that the irrotational flow assumption at the upper boundary is not realistic in case of water tunnels. Therefore, new upper boundary conditions are proposed for oscillatory tunnels. The data of wave flume show good agreement with the proposed numerical model. Additionally, several factors such as grid aspect ratio, staggered grid arrangement, time‐marching scheme and convergence criteria that are important to obtain a robust, realistic and stable code are discussed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.