Structure-based turbulence model: Application to a rotating pipe flow

Abstract

A new approach for modeling the one-point turbulence statistics, which takes into account the information on turbulence structure, has been suggested in Kassinos and Reynolds (Report TF-61, Thermosciences Division, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, 1994). In the present work, the structure-based model [Int. J. Heat Fluid Flow 21, 599 (2000)] (SBM) based on those ideas, was evaluated in a complex inhomogeneous turbulent flow in a cylindrical pipe rotating around its longitudinal axis. It was found that the SBM is able to predict the flow accurately at various Reynolds numbers and under stronger rotation than what is possible with the Reynolds stress transport models (RSTMs). In a fully developed rotating pipe flow, the SBM, being a linear model, slightly improves the profiles obtained with the nonlinear RSTM [J. Fluid Mech. 227, 245 (1991)]. However, if the standard equation for the dissipation rate is used, the SBM, as do the RSTMs, significantly overpredicts the turbulent kinetic energy level in this part of flow in comparison with the results of experiments. © 2002 American Institute of Physics.