Numerical study of the flow field characteristics over a backward facing step using k-kl-ω turbulence model: comparison with different models

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 173-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasser M. Ahmed ◽  
A.H. Elbatran

Purpose This paper aims to investigate numerically the turbulent flow characteristics over a backward facing step. Different turbulence models with hybrid computational grid have been used to study the detached flow structure in this case. Comparison between the numerical results and the available experiment data is carried out in the present study. The results of the different turbulence models were in a good agreement with the experimental results. The numerical results also concluded that the k-kl-ω turbulence model gave favorable results compared with the experiment. Design/methodology/approach It is very important to study the flow characteristics of detached flows. Therefore, the current study investigates numerically the flow characteristics in backward facing step by using two-, three- and seven-equation turbulence models in the finite volume code ANSYS Fluent. In addition, hybrid grid has been used to improve the capability of the unstructured mesh elements for predicting the flow separation in this case. Comparison between the different turbulence models and the available experimental data was done to find the most suitable turbulence model for simulating such cases of detached flows. Findings The present numerical simulations with the different turbulence models predicted efficiently the flow characteristics over the backward facing step. The transition k-kl-ω gave the best acceptable results compared with experimental data. This is a good concluded remark in the fields of fluid mechanics and hydrodynamics because the phenomenon of flow separation is not easy to be predicted numerically and can affect greatly on the predicted drag of moving bodies in many engineering applications. Originality/value The CFD results of using different turbulence models have been validated with the experimental work, and the results of k-kl-ω proven acceptable with flow characteristics. The results of the current study conclude that the use of k-kl-ω turbulence model will contribute towards a more efficient utilization in the fields of fluid mechanics and hydrodynamics.

Author(s):  
Jian Wang ◽  
Yong Wang ◽  
Houlin Liu ◽  
Haoqin Huang ◽  
Linglin Jiang

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study the unsteady caivitating flows in centrifugal pump, especially for improving the turbulence model to obtain highly resolution results-capable of predicting the cavitation inception, shedding off and collapse procedures. Design/methodology/approach – Both numerical simulations and experimental visualizations were performed in the present paper. An improved RCD turbulence models was proposed by considering three corrected methods: the rotating corrected method, the compressible corrected method and the turbulent viscosity corrected method. Unsteady RANS computations were conducted to compare with the experiments. Findings – The comparison of pump cavitation performance showed that the RCD turbulence model obtained better performance both in non-cavitation and cavitation conditions. The visualization of the cavitation evolution was recorded to validate the unsteady simulations. Good agreement was noticed between calculations and visualizations. It is indicated the RCD model can successfully capture the bubbles detachment and collapse at the rear of the cavity region, since it effectively reduces the eddy viscosity in the multiphase region of liquid and vapor. Furthermore, the eddy viscosity, the instantaneous pressure and density distribution were investigated. The effectiveness of the compressibility was found. Meanwhile, the influence of the rotating corrected method on prediction was explored. It is found that the RCD model solved more unsteady flow characteristics. Originality/value – The current work presented a turbulence model which was much more suitable for predicting the cavitating flow in centrifugal pump.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Le Dian Zheng ◽  
Yi Yang ◽  
Guang Lin Qiang ◽  
Zhengqi Gu

Purpose This paper aims to propose a precise turbulence model for automobile aerodynamics simulation, which can predict flow separation and reattachment phenomena more accurately. Design/methodology/approach As the results of wake flow simulation with commonly used turbulence models are unsatisfactory, by introducing a nonlinear Reynolds stress term and combining the detached Eddy simulation (DES) model, this paper proposes a nonlinear-low-Reynolds number (LRN)/DES turbulence model. The turbulence model is verified in a backward-facing step case and applied in the flow field analysis of the Ahmed model. Several widely applied turbulence models are compared with the nonlinear-LRN/DES model and the experimental data of the above cases. Findings Compared with the experimental data and several turbulence models, the nonlinear-LRN/DES model gives better agreement with the experiment and can predict the automobile wake flow structures and aerodynamic characteristics more accurately. Research limitations/implications The nonlinear-LRN/DES model proposed in this paper suffers from separation delays when simulating the separation flows above the rear slant of the Ahmed body. Therefore, more factors need to be considered to further improve the accuracy of the model. Practical implications This paper proposes a turbulence model that can more accurately simulate the wake flow field structure of automobiles, which is valuable for improving the calculation accuracy of the aerodynamic characteristics of automobiles. Originality/value Based on the nonlinear eddy viscosity method and the scale resolved simulation, a nonlinear-LRN/DES turbulence model including the nonlinear Reynolds stress terms for separation and reattachment prediction, as well as the wake vortex structure prediction is first proposed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 143 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leilei Ji ◽  
Wei Li ◽  
Weidong Shi ◽  
Ramesh K. Agarwal

Abstract The Wray–Agarwal (WA) turbulence model is selected to simulate the internal and external characteristics of a centrifugal pump with semispiral suction chamber; the numerical results are compared with the experimental data and computed results predicted by standard k–ε, renormalization group (RNG) k–ε, and shear stress transport (SST) k–ω turbulence models. The results show that the WA model could be effectively used to compute the energy performance of centrifugal pump under full range of operating conditions and gives higher accuracy than other models. Overall, the WA model shows closer similarity to the experimental data and gives more uniform flow field in the impeller region compared to that predicted by other models. In prediction of internal flow fields of the pump, overall the WA model is more accurate and efficient being a one-equation model. The control of undamped eddy viscosity variable R (= k/ω) in WA model does not allow the overestimation of turbulent kinetic energy and turbulent eddy frequency obtained with other models, which leads to its advantage in accurate prediction of both internal and external flow characteristics of centrifugal pump.


Author(s):  
S Bayraktar ◽  
T Yilmaz

This paper presents the thermal and flow characteristics of a cold transverse jet, injected at five different angles (α = 30°, 45°, 60°, 75°, and 90°) into a hot crossflow with four different blowing ratios ( M = 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, and 0.8). Three turbulence models, namely, standard k−∊, renormalization group (RNG) k−∊, and realizable k−∊ are tested for obtaining the accurate turbulence model to predict the effectiveness of film cooling. The tested turbulence models were compared with available experimental data in the literature. The results evinced that the RNG k−∊ turbulence model is the most appropriate among the three. It is also observed that maximum cooling efficiency is obtained at α = 30° and M = 0.8.


2019 ◽  
Vol 91 (8) ◽  
pp. 1100-1112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehdi Dadkhah ◽  
Mehran Masdari ◽  
Mohammad Ali Vaziri ◽  
Mojtaba Tahani

Purpose In this paper, experimental and numerical results of a lambda wing have been compared. The purpose of this paper is to study the behaviour of lambda wings using a CFD tool and to consider different numerical models to obtain the most accurate results. As far as the consideration of numerical methods is concerned, the main focus is on the evaluation of computational methods for an accurate prediction of contingent leading edge vortices’ path and the flow separation occurring because of the burst of these vortices on the wing. Design/methodology/approach Experimental tests are performed in a closed-circuit wind tunnel at the Reynolds number of 6 × 105 and angles of attack (AOA) ranging from 0 to 10 degrees. Investigated turbulence models in this study are Reynolds Averaged Navior–Stokes (RANS) models in a steady state. To compare the accuracy of the turbulence models with respect to experimental results, sensitivity study of these models has been plotted in bar charts. Findings The results illustrate that the leading edge vortex on this lambda wing is unstable and disappears soon. The effect of this disappearance is obvious by an increase in local drag coefficient in the junction of inner and outer wings. Streamlines on the upper surface of the wing show that at AOA higher than 8 degrees, the absence of an intense leading edge vortex leads to a local flow separation on the outer wing and a reverse in the flow. Research limitations/implications Results obtained from the behaviour study of transition (TSS) turbulence model are more compatible with experimental findings. This model predicts the drag coefficient of the wing with the highest accuracy. Of all considered turbulence models, the Spalart model was not able to accurately predict the non-linearity of drag and pitching moment coefficients. Except for the TSS turbulence model, all other models are unable to predict the aerodynamic coefficients corresponding to AOA higher than 10 degrees. Practical implications The presented results in this paper include lift, drag and pitching moment coefficients in various AOA and also the distribution of aerodynamic coefficients along the span. Originality/value The presented results include lift, drag and pitching moment coefficients in various AOA and also aerodynamic coefficients distribution along the span.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (14) ◽  
pp. 6319
Author(s):  
Sung-Woong Choi ◽  
Hyoung-Seock Seo ◽  
Han-Sang Kim

In the present study, the flow characteristics of butterfly valves with different sizes DN 80 (nominal diameter: 76.2 mm), DN 262 (nominal diameter: 254 mm), DN 400 (nominal diameter: 406 mm) were numerically investigated under different valve opening percentages. Representative two-equation turbulence models of two-equation k-epsilon model of Launder and Sharma, two-equation k-omega model of Wilcox, and two-equation k-omega SST model of Menter were selected. Flow characteristics of butterfly valves were examined to determine turbulence model effects. It was determined that increasing turbulence effect could cause many discrepancies between turbulence models, especially in areas with large pressure drop and velocity increase. In addition, sensitivity analysis of flow properties was conducted to determine the effect of constants used in each turbulence model. It was observed that the most sensitive flow properties were turbulence dissipation rate (Epsilon) for the k-epsilon turbulence model and turbulence specific dissipation rate (Omega) for the k-omega turbulence model.


2018 ◽  
Vol 90 (7) ◽  
pp. 1136-1144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dimitris Gkiolas ◽  
Demetri Yiasemides ◽  
Demetri Mathioulakis

Purpose The complex flow behavior over an oscillating aerodynamic body, e.g. a helicopter rotor blade, a rotating wind turbine blade or the wing of a maneuvering airplane involves combinations of pitching and plunging motions. As the parameters of the problem (Re, St and phase difference between these two motions) vary, a quasi-steady analysis fails to provide realistic results for the aerodynamic response of the moving body, whereas this study aims to provide reliable experimental data. Design/methodology/approach In the present study, a pitching and plunging mechanism was designed and built in a subsonic closed-circuit wind tunnel as well as a rectangular aluminum wing of a 2:1 aspect-ratio with a NACA64-418 airfoil, used in wind turbine blades. To measure the pressure distribution along the wing chord, a number of fast responding transducers were embedded into the mid span wing surface. Simultaneous pressure measurements were conducted along the wing chord for the Reynolds number of 0.85 × 106 for both steady and unsteady cases (pitching and plunging). A flow visualization technique was used to detect the flow separation line under steady conditions. Findings Elevated pressure fluctuations coincide with the flow separation line having been detected through surface flow visualization and flattened pressure distributions appear downstream of the flow separation line. Closed hysteresis loops of the lift coefficient versus angle of attack were measured for combined pitching and plunging motions. Practical implications The experimental data can be used for improvement of unsteady fluid mechanics problem solvers. Originality/value In the present study, a new installation was built allowing the aerodynamic study of oscillating wings performing pitching and plunging motions with prescribed frequencies and phase lags between the two motions. The experimental data can be used for improvement of computational fluid dynamics codes in case that the examined aerodynamic body is oscillating.


Volume 4 ◽  
2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Branislav Basara ◽  
Ales Alajbegovic ◽  
Decan Beader

The paper presents calculations of flow in a mixing vessel stirred by a six-blade Rushton impeller. Mathematical model used in computations is based on the ensemble averaged conservation equations. An efficient finite-volume method based on unstructured grids with rotating sliding parts composed of arbitrary polyhedral elements is used together with various turbulence models. Besides the standard k-ε model which served as a reference, k-ε-v2 model (Durbin, 1995) and the recently proposed hybrid EVM/RSM turbulence model (Basara & Jakirlic, 2003) were used in the calculations. The main aim of the paper is to investigate if more advanced turbulence models are needed for this type of CFD applications. The results are compared with the available experimental data.


Water SA ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 45 (3 July) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed M Helmi

Floodways, where a road embankment is permitted to be overtopped by flood water, are usually designed as broad-crested weirs. Determination of the water level above the floodway is crucial and related to road safety. Hydraulic performance of floodways can be assessed numerically using 1-D modelling or 3-D simulation using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) packages. Turbulence modelling is one of the key elements in CFD simulations. A wide variety of turbulence models are utilized in CFD packages; in order to identify the most relevant turbulence model for the case in question, 96 3-D CFD simulations were conducted using Flow-3D package, for 24 broad-crested weir configurations selected based on experimental data from a previous study. Four turbulence models (one-equation, k-ε, RNG k-ε, and k-ω) ere examined for each configuration. The volume of fluid (VOF) algorithm was adopted for free water surface determination. In addition, 24 1-D simulations using HEC-RAS-1-D were conducted for comparison with CFD results and experimental data. Validation of the simulated water free surface profiles versus the experimental measurements was carried out by the evaluation of the mean absolute error, the mean relative error percentage, and the root mean square error. It was concluded that the minimum error in simulating the full upstream to downstream free surface profile is achieved by using one-equation turbulence model with mixing length equal to 7% of the smallest domain dimension. Nevertheless, for the broad-crested weir upstream section, no significant difference in accuracy was found between all turbulence models and the one-dimensional analysis results, due to the low turbulence intensity at this part. For engineering design purposes, in which the water level is the main concern at the location of the flood way, the one-dimensional analysis has sufficient accuracy to determine the water level.


Author(s):  
Kaloki Nabutola ◽  
Sandra Boetcher

Abstract Vehicle aerodynamics plays an important role in reducing fuel consumption. The underbody contributes to around 50% of the overall drag of a vehicle. As part of the underbody, the wheels and wheelhouses contribute to approximately 25-30% of the overall drag of a vehicle. As a result, wheel aerodynamics studies have been gaining popularity. However, a consensus of an appropriate turbulence model has not been reached, partially due to the lack of experiments appropriate for turbulence model validation studies for this type of flow. Seven turbulence models were used to simulate the flow within the wheelhouse of a simplified vehicle body, and results were shown to be incongruous with commonly used experimental data. The performance of each model was evaluated by comparing the aerodynamic coefficients obtained using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to data collected from the Fabijanic wind tunnel experiments. The various turbulence models generally agreed with each other when determining average values, such a mean drag and lift coefficients, even if the particular values did not fall within the uncertainty of the experiment; however, they exhibited differences in the level of resolution in the flow structures within the wheelhouse. These flow structures are not able to be validated with currently available experimental data. Properly resolving flow structures is important when implementing flow control devices to reduce drag. Results from this study emphasize the need for spatially and time-resolved experiments, especially for validating LES and DES for flow within a wheelhouse.


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