A variant of the low-Reynolds-number two-equation turbulence model applied to variable property mixed convection flows

Previous work has demonstrated that the low-Reynolds-number model of Launder and Sharma (1974) offers significant advantages over other two-equation turbulence models in the computation of highly non-universal buoyancy-influenced (or “mixed convection”) pipe flows. It is known, however, that the Launder and Sharma model does not possess high quantitative accuracy in regard to simpler forced convection flows. A variant of the low-Reynolds-number scheme is developed here by reference to data for constant property forced convection flows. The re-optimized model and the Launder and Sharma formulation are then examined against experimental measurements for mixed convection flows, including cases in which variable property effects are significant.