Calculation of Transitional Boundary Layers With an Improved Low-Reynolds-Number Version of the k–ε Turbulence Model

1994 ◽  
Vol 116 (4) ◽  
pp. 765-773 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Biswas ◽  
Y. Fukuyama
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Boundary Layers ◽  
Turbulent Flows ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Low Reynolds Number ◽  
Turbine Rotor ◽  
Limiting Behavior ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
Low Reynolds

Several well-known low-Reynolds-number versions of the k–ε models are analyzed critically for laminar to turbulent transitional flows as well as near-wall turbulent flows from a theoretical and numerical standpoint. After examining apparent problems associated with the modeling of low-Reynolds-number wall damping functions used in these models, an improved version of the k–ε model is proposed by defining the wall damping factors as a function of some quantity (turbulence Reynolds number Ret) that is only a rather general indicator of the degree of turbulent activity at any location in the flow rather than a specific function of the location itself, and by considering the wall limiting behavior, the free-stream asymptotic behavior, and the balance between production and destruction of turbulence. This new model is applied to the prediction of (1) transitional boundary layers influenced by the free-stream turbulence, pressure gradient, and heat transfer; (2) external heat transfer distribution on the gas turbine rotor and stator blade under different inlet Reynolds number and free-stream turbulence conditions. It is demonstrated that the present model yields improved predictions.

scholarly journals Calculation of Transitional Boundary Layers With an Improved Low-Reynolds Number Version of the k-ε Turbulence Model

1993 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debsish Biswas ◽  
Yoshitaka Fukuyama
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Boundary Layers ◽  
Turbulent Flows ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Low Reynolds Number ◽  
Turbine Rotor ◽  
Limiting Behavior ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
Low Reynolds

Several well known low-Reynolds version of the k-ε models are analyzed critically for laminar to turbulent transtional flows as well as near wall turbulent flows from theoretical and numerical standpoint. After examining apparent problems associated with the modelling of low-Reynolds number wall damping functions used in these models, an improved version of k-ε model is proposed by defining the wall damping factors as a function of some quantity (turbulence Reynolds number Rt) which is only a rather general indicator of the degree of turbulent activity at any location in the flow rather than a specific function of the location itself, and by considering the wall limiting behavior, the free-stream asyptotic behavior, and the balnce between production and destruction of turbulence. This new model is applied to the prediction of 1) transitional boundary layers influenced by the free-stream turbulence, pressure gradient and heat transfer; 2) external heat transfer distribution on the gas turbine rotor and stator blade under different inlet Reynolds number and free-stream turbulence conditions. It is demonstrated that the present model yield improved predictions.

Numerical investigation of the role of free-stream turbulence in boundary-layer separation

2016 ◽  
Vol 801 ◽  
pp. 289-321 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wolfgang Balzer ◽  
H. F. Fasel
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Shear Layer ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Hydrodynamic Instability ◽  
Low Reynolds Number ◽  
Transition To Turbulence ◽  
Laminar Separation ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
Low Reynolds

The aerodynamic performance of lifting surfaces operating at low Reynolds number conditions is impaired by laminar separation. In most cases, transition to turbulence occurs in the separated shear layer as a result of a series of strong hydrodynamic instability mechanisms. Although the understanding of these mechanisms has been significantly advanced over the past decades, key questions remain unanswered about the influence of external factors such as free-stream turbulence (FST) and others on transition and separation. The present study is driven by the need for more accurate predictions of separation and transition phenomena in ‘real world’ applications, where elevated levels of FST can play a significant role (e.g. turbomachinery). Numerical investigations have become an integral part in the effort to enhance our understanding of the intricate interactions between separation and transition. Due to the development of advanced numerical methods and the increase in the performance of supercomputers with parallel architecture, it has become feasible for low Reynolds number application ($O(10^{5})$) to carry out direct numerical simulations (DNS) such that all relevant spatial and temporal scales are resolved without the use of turbulence modelling. Because the employed high-order accurate DNS are characterized by very low levels of background noise, they lend themselves to transition research where the amplification of small disturbances, sometimes even growing from numerical round-off, can be examined in great detail. When comparing results from DNS and experiment, however, it is beneficial, if not necessary, to increase the background disturbance levels in the DNS to levels that are typical for the experiment. For the current work, a numerical model that emulates a realistic free-stream turbulent environment was adapted and implemented into an existing Navier–Stokes code based on a vorticity–velocity formulation. The role FST plays in the transition process was then investigated for a laminar separation bubble forming on a flat plate. FST was shown to cause the formation of the well-known Klebanoff mode that is represented by streamwise-elongated streaks inside the boundary layer. Increasing the FST levels led to accelerated transition, a reduction in bubble size and better agreement with the experiments. Moreover, the stage of linear disturbance growth due to the inviscid shear-layer instability was found to not be ‘bypassed’.

Simulating Boundary Layer Transition With Low-Reynolds-Number k–ε Turbulence Models: Part 1—An Evaluation of Prediction Characteristics

1991 ◽  
Vol 113 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. C. Schmidt ◽  
S. V. Patankar
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Free Stream ◽  
Low Reynolds Number ◽  
Turbulence Models ◽  
Boundary Layer Transition ◽  
External Boundary ◽  
Layer Transition ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
Low Reynolds

An analysis and evaluation of the capability of k–ε low-Reynolds-number turbulence models to predict transition in external boundary-layer flows subject to free-stream turbulence is presented. The similarities between the near-wall cross-stream regions in a fully turbulent boundary layer and the progressive stages through which developing boundary layers pass in the streamwise direction are used to describe the mechanisms by which the models simulate the transition process. Two representative models (Jones and Launder, 1972; Lam and Bremhorst, 1981) are employed in a series of computational tests designed to answer some specific practical questions about the ability of these models to yield accurate, reliable answers over a range of free-stream turbulence conditions.

Airfoil Heat Transfer Calculation Using a Low Reynolds Number Version of a Two-Equation Turbulence Model

1985 ◽  
Vol 107 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. H. Wang ◽  
H. F. Jen ◽  
E. O. Hartel
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Experimental Data ◽  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Turbulence Model ◽  
Low Reynolds Number ◽  
Transitional Flow ◽  
Zone Model ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Free Stream Turbulence ◽  
Low Reynolds

A two-dimensional, boundary-layer program, STAN5, was modified to incorporate a low-Reynolds number version of the K-ε, two-equation turbulence model for the predictions of flow and heat transfer around turbine airfoils. The K-ε, two-equation model with optimized empirical correlations was used to account for the effects of free-stream turbulence and transitional flow. The model was compared with experimental flat plate data and then applied to turbine airfoil heat transfer prediction. A two-zone model was proposed for handling the turbulent kinetic energy and dissipation rate empirically at the airfoil leading edge region. The result showed that the predicted heat transfer coefficient on the airfoil agreed favorably with experimental data, especially for the pressure side. The discrepancy between predictions and experimental data of the suction surface normally occurred at transitional and fully turbulent flow regions.

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