Prediction of boundary layer relaminarization using low Reynolds number turbulence models

Author(s):  
S Viala ◽  
B Aupoix
1997 ◽  
Vol 119 (4) ◽  
pp. 794-801 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Luo ◽  
B. Lakshminarayana

The boundary layer development and convective heat transfer on transonic turbine nozzle vanes are investigated using a compressible Navier–Stokes code with three low-Reynolds-number k–ε models. The mean-flow and turbulence transport equations are integrated by a four-stage Runge–Kutta scheme. Numerical predictions are compared with the experimental data acquired at Allison Engine Company. An assessment of the performance of various turbulence models is carried out. The two modes of transition, bypass transition and separation-induced transition, are studied comparatively. Effects of blade surface pressure gradients, free-stream turbulence level, and Reynolds number on the blade boundary layer development, particularly transition onset, are examined. Predictions from a parabolic boundary layer code are included for comparison with those from the elliptic Navier–Stokes code. The present study indicates that the turbine external heat transfer, under real engine conditions, can be predicted well by the Navier–Stokes procedure with the low-Reynolds-number k–ε models employed.


1991 ◽  
Vol 113 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. C. Schmidt ◽  
S. V. Patankar

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.


1991 ◽  
Vol 113 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. C. Schmidt ◽  
S. V. Patankar

An approach for improving the prediction of boundary layer transition with k–ε type low-Reynolds-number turbulence models is developed and tested. A modification is proposed that limits the production term in the turbulent kinetic energy equation and is based on a simple stability criterion and correlated to the free-stream turbulence level. The modification becomes inactive in the fully turbulent regime, but is shown to improve both the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the transition predictions. Although the approach is not limited to a particular low-Reynolds-number model, it is implemented herein using the model of Lam and Bremhorst (1981).


Author(s):  
Chen-Ru Zhao ◽  
Zhen Zhang ◽  
Qian-Feng Liu ◽  
Han-Liang Bo ◽  
Pei-Xue Jiang

Numerical investigations are performed on the convection heat transfer of supercritical pressure fluid flowing through vertical mini tube with inner diameter of 0.27 mm and inlet Reynolds number of 1900 under various heat fluxes conditions using low Reynolds number k-ε turbulence models due to LB (Lam and Bremhorst), LS (Launder and Sharma) and V2F (v2-f). The predictions are compared with the corresponding experimentally measured values. The prediction ability of various low Reynolds number k-ε turbulence models under deteriorated heat transfer conditions induced by combinations of buoyancy and flow acceleration effects are evaluated. Results show that all the three models give fairly good predictions of local wall temperature variations in conditions with relatively high inlet Reynolds number. For cases with relatively low inlet Reynolds number, V2F model is able to capture the general trends of deteriorated heat transfer when the heat flux is relatively low. However, the LS and V2F models exaggerate the flow acceleration effect when the heat flux increases, while the LB model produces qualitative predictions, but further improvements are still needed for quantitative prediction. Based on the detailed flow and heat transfer information generated by simulation, a better understanding of the mechanism of heat transfer deterioration is obtained. Results show that the redistribution of flow field induced by the buoyancy and flow acceleration effects are main factors leading to the heat transfer deterioration.


Author(s):  
Michael J. Collison ◽  
Peter X. L. Harley ◽  
Domenico di Cugno

Low speed, small scale turbomachinery operates at low Reynolds number with transition phenomena occurring. In small consumer product applications, high efficiency and low noise are key performance metrics. Transition behaviour will partly determine the state of the boundary layer at the trailing edge; whether it is laminar, turbulent or separated impacts aerodynamic and acoustic performance. This study aimed to evaluate a commercially available CFD transition model on a low Reynolds number Eppler E387 airfoil and identify whether it was able to correctly model the boundary layer transition, and at what expense. CFD was carried out utilising the ANSYS Shear Stress Transport (SST) k-ω γ-Reθ transition model. The CFD progressed from 2D in Fluent v150, through to single cell thickness 3D (pseudo 2D) in CFX v172. An Eppler E387 low Reynolds number airfoil, for which experimental data was readily available from literature at Re = 200,000 was used as the validation case for the CFD, with results computed at numerous incidence angles and mesh densities. Additionally, experimental surface oil flow visualisation was undertaken in a wind tunnel using a scaled E387 airfoil for the zero incidence case at Re = 50,000. The flow visualisation exhibited the expected key features of transition in the breakdown of the boundary layer from laminar to turbulent, and was used as a validation case for the CFD transition model. The comparison between the results from the CFD transition model and the experimental data from literature suggested varying levels of agreement based on the mesh density and CFD solver in the starting location of the laminar separation bubble, with higher disparity for the position of the reattachment point. Whether 2D or 3D, the prediction accuracy was seen to worsen at high incidence angles. Finally, the location of the laminar separation bubble between CFD and oil flow visualisation had good agreement and a set of guidelines on the mesh parameters which can be applied to low Reynolds number turbomachinery simulations was determined.


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