A Numerical Simulation of Turbulent Flow through a Curved Duct
This paper presents the comparison the results of an experimental work with a numerical work keeping the geometry of the test duct and inlet boundary conditions unaltered. The numerical simulation is validated with the experimental results based on the wall y+ approach for different turbulence models suited for this type of geometry. The experimental work is carried out at mass averaged mean velocity of 40m/s with the measurement of total pressure by a pre-calibrated multi-hole pressure probe and the results presented in the form of a pressure contours in 2-D. For validation of the numerical results Standard k-ε, k-ω and Reynolds Stress Model (RSM) are used to solve the closure problem. The turbulence models are investigated in the commercial CFD code of Fluent using y+ value as guidance in selecting the appropriate grid configuration and turbulence model. Based on the wall y+ values for different turbulence models, it is concluded in the present study that the mesh resolving the fully turbulent region is sufficiently accurate in terms of qualitative features and RSM turbulence model predicts the best results while comparing with the experimental results.