Large-Eddy Simulations and Heat-Flux Modeling in a Turbulent Impinging Jet

Abstract

This article documents the results of an investigation into aspects of the simulation and modeling of turbulent jets that impinge orthogonally on a target surface. The focus is on the case of a jet which issues from a circular pipe into stagnant surrounding at the relatively high value of Reynolds number of 23,000 (based on nozzle diameter and bulk velocity) for which experimental data are available. Large-eddy simulations were performed to obtain details of the mean flows and the turbulence fields including distributions of all components of the turbulent heat fluxes. The outcome of these simulations were used to assess three alternative models for the turbulent heat fluxes which differ from the conventional Fourier's Law by not being based on the assumption of proportionality between the eddy and thermal diffusivities via a constant Prandtl number. It was found that only one of the models considered succeeds in representing the effects on the heat fluxes of the complex strain field associated with the stagnation region and the subsequent development into the wall-jet region. The reasons for this outcome are discussed.