Finite volume modelling of free-surface draining vortices (Q1300746)

The phenomenon of free-surface vortex formation over a draining intake is studied numerically. The model proposed for this phenomenon is based on the finite volume method for axisymmetric incompressible Navier-Stokes equations in irregular geometries on staggered meshes. Boundary conditions are both of Dirichlet and Neumann type. The numerical scheme is a semi-implicit one, where the terms controlling the diffusion and those controlling the pressure field are discretized implicitly, while the convective terms are approximated via an Euler-Lagrange approach. The discrete version of the continuity equation provides, after a substitution, a system having the pressure values as the only unknowns. The authors obtain the solution via an iterative scheme which solves the symmetric semi-positive definite system for pressure by the standard preconditioned conjugate gradient method, giving explicitly the discrete velocity field at each iteration. The numerical solution is verified by experimental data. This comparison demonstrates that the proposed numerical model is capable of predicting the whole steady flow field. Of special value is the comparison for radial velocity distribution, which has a typical jet-like profile along the vertical direction. According to the recent experimental evidence, it seems that the onset of vortex can be explained by this special feature of the radial velocity profile.