AN ASSESSMENT OF k–ω AND v²–f TURBULENCE MODELS FOR STRONGLY HEATED INTERNAL GAS FLOWS

Abstract

Both k –ω and v ²– f turbulence models are used to model an axisymmetric, strongly heated, low-Mach-number gas flowing upward within a vertical tube in which forced convection is dominant. The heating rates are sufficiently high, so that fluid properties vary significantly in both the axial and radial directions; consequently, fully developed mean flow profiles do not evolve. Comparisons between computational results and experimental results, which exist in the literature, reveal that the v ²– f model performs quite well in predicting axial wall temperatures, and mean velocity and temperature profiles. This may be contrasted with the k –ω model results, in which the wall heat transfer rates and near-wall velocities are significantly overpredicted.

Robert Spall and Adam Richards acknowledge support from the Inland Northwest Research Alliance (INRA) to pursue this research. The participation of Prof. Donald M. McEligot was partially supported by the U.S.-RoK I-NERI program under DOE Idaho Field Office Contract DE-AC07-99ID13727.