Recent progress in the development of the Elliptic Blending Reynolds-stress model

The Elliptic Blending Reynolds Stress Model (EB-RSM), originally proposed by Manceau and Hanjalić (2002) to extend standard, weakly inhomogeneous Reynolds stress models to the near-wall region, has been subject to various modifications by several authors during the last decade, mainly for numerical robustness reasons. The present work revisits all these modifications from the theoretical standpoint and investigates in detail their influence on the reproduction of the physical mechanisms at the origin of the influence of the wall on turbulence. The analysis exploits recent DNS databases for high-Reynolds number channel flows, spanwise rotating channel flows with strong rotation rates, up to complete laminarization, and the separated flow after a sudden expansion without and with system rotation. Theoretical arguments and comparison with DNS results lead to the selection of a recommended formulation for the EB-RSM model. This formulation shows satisfactory predictions for the configurations described above, in particular as regards the modification of the mean flow and turbulent anisotropy on the anticyclonic or pressure side.     

Experimental assessment of a nonlinear turbulent stress relation in a complex reciprocating engine flow

A nonlinear turbulent stress relationship, based on an explicit algebraic Reynolds stress closure, is compared against experimental data obtained in a swirl-supported, light-duty engine motored at constant speed. The model relationship is applied to measured mean velocity gradients and turbulence scales, and the predictions compared against the measured shear stress and normal stress anisotropy. Significant improvement over the linear stress relationship typically used in two-equation turbulence models is observed. Conditions under which the model predictions are poor are identified and the reasons for the poor performance discussed.     

Smagorinsky constant in LES modeling of anisotropic MHD turbulence

Turbulent fluctuations in magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flows can become strongly anisotropic or even quasi-2D under the action of an applied magnetic field. We investigate this phenomenon in the case of low magnetic Reynolds numbers. It has been found in earlier DNS and LES of homogeneous turbulence that the degree of anisotropy is predominantly determined by the value of the magnetic interaction parameter and only slightly depends on the Reynolds number, type of large-scale dynamics, and the length scale. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that the dynamic Smagorinsky model is capable of self-adjustment to the effects of anisotropy. In this paper, we capitalize on these results and propose a simple and effective generalization of the traditional non-dynamic Smagorinsky model to the case of anisotropic MHD turbulence.      

Study on anisotropic buoyant turbulence model

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Computation of confined coflow jets with three turbulence models

A numerical study of confined jets in a cylindrical duct is carried out to examine the performance of two recently proposed turbulence models: an RNG-based K-? model and a realizable Reynolds stress algebraic equation model. The former is of the same form as the standard K-? model but has different model coefficients. The latter uses an explicit quadratic stress-strain relationship to model the turbulent stresses and is capable of ensuring the positivity of each turbulent normal stress. The flow considered involves recirculation with unfixed separation and reatachment points and severe adverse pressure gradients, thereby providing a valuable test of the predictive capability of the models for complex flows. Calculations are performed with a finite volume procedure. Numerical credibility of the solutions is ensured by using second-order-accurate differencing schemes and sufficiently fine grids. Calculations with the standard K-? model are also made for comparison. Detailed comparisons with experiments show that the realizable Reynolds stress algebraic equation model consistently works better than does the standard K-? model in capturing the essential flow features, while the RNG-based K-? model does not seem to give improvements over the standard K-? model under the flow conditions considered.     

Modelling turbulence around and inside porous media based on the second moment closure

To predict turbulence in porous media, a new approach is discussed. By double (both volume and Reynolds) averaging Navier–Stokes equations, there appear three unknown covariant terms in the momentum equation. They are namely the dispersive covariance, the macro-scale and the micro-scale Reynolds stresses, in the present study. For the macro-scale Reynolds stress, the TCL (two-component-limit) second moment closure is applied whereas the eddy viscosity models are applied to the other covariant terms: the Smagorinsky model and the one-equation eddy viscosity model, respectively for the dispersive covariance and the micro-scale Reynolds stress. The presently proposed model is evaluated in square rib array flows and porous wall channel flows with reasonable accuracy though further development is required.     

Explicit algebraic Reynolds stress model for shock-dominated flows

Shock waves drastically alter the nature of Reynolds stresses in a turbulent flow, and conventional turbulence models cannot reproduce this effect. In the present study, we employ explicit algebraic Reynolds stress model (EARSM) to predict the Reynolds stress anisotropy generated by a shockwave. The model by Wallin and Johansson (2000) is used as the baseline model. It is found to over-predict the post-shock Reynolds stresses in canonical shock turbulence interaction. The budget of the transport equation of Reynolds stresses computed using linear interaction analysis shows that the unsteady shock distortion mechanism and the pressure–velocity correlations are important. We propose improvement to the baseline model using linear interaction analysis results and redistribute the turbulent kinetic energy between the principle Reynolds stresses. The new model matches DNS data for the amplification of Reynolds stresses across the shock and their post-shock evolution, for a range of Mach numbers. It is applied to oblique shock/boundary-layer interaction at Mach 5. Significant improvements are observed in predicting surface pressure and skin friction coefficient, with respect to experimental measurements.     

强压缩湍流雷诺应力模型中压力应变快速项的探索

对压力应变快速项的五个模型作了压缩性修正,即在模型中引入了由于平均流可压而导入的不为零的平均速度散度,并把五个模型计算所得的雷诺应力各向异性张量分量、平均湍能及压力应变快速项的值与快速畸变理论的计算结果作了比较。结果表明,包含湍流应变中效应的线性模型可达到四阶非线性模型的精度。     

Observations on the predictions of fully developed rotating pipe flow using differential and explicit algebraic Reynolds stress models

The differences between two differential Reynolds stress models (DRSM) and their corresponding explicit algebraic Reynolds stress models (EARSM) are investigated by studying fully developed axially rotating turbulent pipe flow. The mean flow and the turbulence quantities are strongly influenced by the imposed rotation, and is well captured by the differential models as well as their algebraic truncations. All the tested models give mean velocity profiles that are in good qualitative agreement with the experimental data. It is demonstrated that the predicted turbulence kinetic energy levels vary dramatically depending on the diffusion model used, and that this is closely related to the model for the evolution of the length-scale determining quantity. Furthermore, the effect of the weak equilibrium assumption, underlying the EARSMs, and the approximation imposed for 3D mean flows on the turbulence levels are investigated. In general the predictions obtained with the EARSMs rather closely follow those of the corresponding DRSMs.     

Assessment of the performance of different classes of turbulence models in a wide range of non-equilibrium flows

The performance of thirteen benchmark turbulence models within the RANS framework has been assessed in classical non-equilibrium flows. Linear and non-linear eddy-viscosity schemes, Reynolds stress transport models and single- and two-time-scale approaches have been considered in the investigation. Among the test cases studied are homogeneous shear and normally strained flows, adverse-pressure-gradient, favourable-pressure-gradient and oscillatory boundary layer flows, fully developed oscillatory and ramp up pipe flows and steady and pulsated backward-facing-step flows. The main advantages and drawbacks of the models in each of the test cases are discussed. These discussions provide a reasonably wide understanding of the expected behaviour of the models for future applications in non-equilibrium flows, and also result in suggestions on how the effectiveness of existing models can be further improved.     

Progress in the extension of a second-moment closure for turbulent environmental flows

An advanced second-moment closure for the double-averaged turbulence equations of porous medium and vegetation flows is proposed. It treats three kinds of second moments which appear in the double-averaged momentum equation. They are the dispersive covariance, the volume averaged (total) Reynolds stress and the micro-scale Reynolds stress. The two-component-limit pressure–strain correlation model is applied to model the total Reynolds stress equation whilst a novel scale-similarity non-linear $k''–''\epsilon$ two-equation eddy viscosity model is employed for the micro-scale turbulence. For the dispersive covariance, an algebraic relation is applied. Model validation in several fully developed homogeneous porous medium flows, porous channel flows and aquatic vegetation canopy flows is performed with satisfactory agreement with the data.     

A two-scale second-moment turbulence closure based on weighted spectrum integration

A two-scale second-moment turbulence closure has been derived based on the weighted integration of the dynamic equation for the covariance spectrum. The goal is to close the Reynolds stress equations with two additional scalar equations that provide separately the scales of the spectral energy transfer and of the turbulence energy dissipation rate. Such a model should provide better prediction of nonequilibrium turbulent flows. The derivation consists of analytical integration of the wave-number-weighted covariance spectrum using a model of the spectral equations with an assumed simple representation of the shape of the energy spectrum. The resulting closure consists of a set of three tensorial equations, one for the Reynolds stress and two for length scale tensors, the latter representing the energy containing- and dissipative eddies respectively. The trace of the two tensor-scale equations leads to a set of two scalar scale parameters. In the equilibrium limit, the model reduces to the standard second-moment single-scale closure. The approach makes it also possible to derive the scale equations in a more systematic manner as compared with the common single-scale and other multi-scale models. The performance of the model in capturing the scale dynamics is illustrated by predictions of several generic homogeneous and inhomogeneous unsteady flows, demonstrating the expected response of the two scale equations. PACS 03.50.De, 04.20-q, 42.65-k     

Modeling fluid-particle interaction in dilute-phase turbulent liquid-particle flow simulation

The present work examines the predictive capability of a two-fluid CFD model that is based on the kinetic theory of granular flow in simulating dilute-phase turbulent liquid-particle pipe flows in which the inter-stitial fluid effect on the particle fluctuating motion is significant.The impacts of employing different drag correlations and turbulence closure models to describe the fluid-particle interactions(i.e.drag force and long-range interaction)are examined at both the mean and fluctuating velocity levels.The model pre-dictions are validated using experimental data of turbulent liquid-particle flows in a vertical pipe at different particle Reynolds numbers(ReP > 400 and ReP < 400),which characterize the importance of the vortex shedding phenomenon in the fluid-phase turbulence modulation.The results indicate that(1)the fluctuating velocity level predictions at different ReP are highly sensitive to the drag correlation selec-tion and(2)different turbulence closure models must be employed to accurately describe the long-range fluid-particle interaction in each phase.In general,good agreement is found between the model predic-tions and the experimental data at both the mean and fluctuating velocity levels provided that appropriate combinations of the drag correlation and the turbulence closure model are selected depending on Rep.     

Second-moment closure and its use in modelling turbulent industrial flows

Second-moment turbulence models focus directly on the transport equations for the Reynolds stresses rather than supposing the stress and strain fields to be directly linked via an eddy viscosity. This elaboration enables the effects of complex strains and force fields on the turbulence structure to be better captured. The paper summarizes the principal modelling strategies adopted for the unknown processes in these equations and presents the forms that have been found most useful in engineering calculations. Methods adopted for overcoming significant problems of numerical instability and lack of convergence compared with eddy-viscosity-based schemes are also presented. Applications involving momentum and heat transfer in complex flows are drawn from the advanced technology sectors of the power generation and aircraft industries.     

Direct Numerical Simulation of Self-Similar Turbulent Boundary Layers in Adverse Pressure Gradients

Direct numerical simulations of the Navier–Stokes equations have been carried out with the objective of studying turbulent boundary layers in adverse pressure gradients. The boundary layer flows concerned are of the equilibrium type which makes the analysis simpler and the results can be compared with earlier experiments and simulations. This type of turbulent boundary layers also permits an analysis of the equation of motion to predict separation. The linear analysis based on the assumption of asymptotically high Reynolds number gives results that are not applicable to finite Reynolds number flows. A different non-linear approach is presented to obtain a useful relation between the freestream variation and other mean flow parameters. Comparison of turbulent statistics from the zero pressure gradient case and two adverse pressure gradient cases shows the development of an outer peak in the turbulent energy in agreement with experiment. The turbulent flows have also been investigated using a differential Reynolds stress model. Profiles for velocity and turbulence quantities obtained from the direct numerical simulations were used as initial data. The initial transients in the model predictions vanished rapidly. The model predictions are compared with the direct simulations and low Reynolds number effects are investigated.     

Correcting Anisotropic Gradient Transport of k

The gradient transport model for k is extended to classes of turbulent flows for which the gradient transport hypothesis is relevant but the anisotropy of the Reynolds stress, to which the eddy diffusivity is proportional, is large and variable. In highly anisotropic turbulence the standard isotropic model used in engineering practice is fundamentally wrong and the conventional anisotropic approximation inadequate. The work is motivated by the important observations that the eddy diffusivity coefficient for a standard gradient transport model for various transported quantities is a factor of 3–10 times larger in highly anisotropic turbulence than that used in standard engineering models. While the conventional anisotropic eddy diffusivity approximation appears adequate for material conserved scalars it is inadequate for k. The problem is solved by addressing the anisotropy of the turbulent transport of k at the level of the underlying third order tensor. It is shown that, unlike the traditional transport models for k, the orientation of the anisotropy with respect to the direction of the gradient plays a crucial role not accounted for in conventional models used in engineering calculations. The new anisotropic eddy diffusivity tensor is quadratic in the anisotropy (the traditional model is linear in the anisotropy). It is shown that the new more rigorous anisotropic eddy diffusivity varies 300% more than the standard model comparing the isotropic limit to the value for the two-dimensional limit. The two-dimensional limit is important in strongly stably stratified flows, in pressure gradient or shock driven flows and in rotating flows. Using the simple shear and the homogeneous non-equilibrium Rayleigh Taylor turbulence the new anisotropic diffusivity tensor is validated in inhomogeneous Rayleigh Taylor turbulence at early and late times.     

Nonlinear turbulence models for predicting strong curvature effects

Prediction of the characteristics of turbulent flows with strong streamline curvature, such as flows in turbomachines, curved channel flows, flows around airfoils and buildings, is of great importance in engineering applications and poses a very practical challenge for turbulence modeling. In this paper, we analyze qualitatively the curvature effects on the structure of turbulence and conduct numerical simulations of a turbulent Uduct flow with a number of turbulence models in order to assess their overall performance. The models evaluated in this work are some typical linear eddy viscosity turbulence models, nonlinear eddy viscosity turbulence models （NLEVM） （quadratic and cubic）, a quadratic explicit algebraic stress model （EASM） and a Reynolds stress model （RSM） developed based on the second-moment closure. Our numerical results show that a cubic NLEVM that performs considerably well in other benchmark turbulent flows, such as the Craft, Launder and Suga model and the Huang and Ma model, is able to capture the major features of the highly curved turbulent U-duct flow, including the damping of turbulence near the convex wall, the enhancement of turbulence near the concave wall, and the subsequent turbulent flow separation. The predictions of the cubic models are quite close to that of the RSM, in relatively good agreement with the experimental data, which suggests that these models may be employed to simulate the turbulent curved flows in engineering applications.     

The influence of rotation on turbulent flow and heat transfer in an annulus between independently rotating tubes

Experimental and numerical investigations of turbulent flow and heat transfer have been performed in a concentric annulus between independently rotating tubes. Numerical predictions, applying a Reynolds stress turbulence model, are compared with experimental fluid flow and heat transfer results for the case of a heated outer tube and an adiabatic inner tube. Compared to the above mentioned boundary conditions for the conservation equation of energy, differences in heat transfer in case of a heated inner tube and an adiabatic outer one, are examined by analysis, applying a mixing length turbulence model. Numerical investigations with both kinds of models about the influence of annulus radius ratio make evident that due to different superimpositions of centrifugal force and additional shear stress there is a wide variation of effects on fluid flow and heat transfer caused by the rotation of the inner and the outer tube.     

Turbulent flow simulation of liquid jet emanating from pressure-swirl atomizer

The performances of three linear eddy viscosity models (LEVM) and one algebraic Reynolds stress model (ARSM) for the simulation of turbulent flow inside and outside pressure-swirl atomizer are evaluated by comparing the interface position with available experimental data and by comparing the turbulence intensity profiles at the atomizer exit. It is found that the turbulence models investigated exhibit zonal behaviors, i.e. none of the models investigated performs well throughout the entire flow field. The turbulence intensity has a significant influence on the global characteristics of the flow field. The turbulence models with better predictions of the turbulence intensity, such as Gatski-Speziale’s ARSM model, can yield better predictions of the global characteristics of the flow field, e.g. the reattachment lengths for the backward-facing step flow and the sudden expansion pipe flow, or the discharge coefficient, film thickness and the liquid sheet outer surface position for the atomizer flows. The standard k–ε model predicts stronger turbulence intensity as compared to the other models and therefore yields smaller film thickness and larger liquid sheet outer surface position. In average, the ARSM model gives both quantitatively and qualitatively better results as compared to the standard k–ε model and the low Reynolds number models.     

Accounting for Buoyancy Effects in the Explicit Algebraic Stress Model: Homogeneous Turbulent Shear Flows

Most explicit algebraic stress models are formulated for turbulent shear flows without accounting for external body force effects, such as the buoyant force. These models yield fairly good predictions of the turbulence field generated by mean shear. As for thermal turbulence generated by the buoyant force, the models fail to give satisfactory results. The reason is that the models do not explicitly account for buoyancy effects, which interact with the mean shear to enhance or suppress turbulent mixing. Since applicable, coupled differential equations have been developed describing these thermal turbulent fields, it is possible to develop corresponding explicit algebraic stress models using tensor representation theory. While the procedure to be followed has been employed previously, unique challenges arise in extending the procedure for developing the algebraic representations to turbulent buoyant flows. In this paper the development of an explicit algebraic stress model (EASM) is confined to the homogeneous buoyant shear flow case to illustrate the methodology needed to develop the proper polynomial representations. The derivation is based on the implicit formulation of the Reynolds stress anisotropy at buoyant equilibrium. A five-term representation is found to be necessary to account properly for the effect of the thermal field. Thus derived, external buoyancy effects are represented in the scalar coefficients of the basis tensors, and structural buoyancy effects are accounted for in additional terms in the stress anisotropy tensor. These terms will not vanish even in the absence of mean shear. The performance of the new EASM, together with a two-equation (2-Eq) model, the non-buoyant EASM of Gatski and Speziale (1993) and a full second-order model, is assessed against direct numerical simulations of homogeneous, buoyant shear flows at two different Richardson numbers representing weak and strong buoyancy effects. The calculations show that this five-term representation yields better results than the 2-Eq model and the EASM of Gatski and Speziale where buoyancy effects are not explicitly accounted for. Received 5 March 2001 and accepted 15 January 2002