Turbulence models and their applications to the prediction of internal flows: A review (Q1821657)

The paper presents a brief account of various turbulence models employed in the computation of turbulent flows, and evaluates the application of these models to internal flows by examining the predictions of various turbulence models in selected important flow configurations. The main conclusions of this analysis are: (a) The k-epsilon model is used in a majority of all the two-dimensional flow calculations reported in the literature. (b) Modified forms of the k-\(\epsilon\) model improve the performance for flows with streamline curvature and heat transfer. (c) For flows with swirl, the k-\(\epsilon\) model performs rather poorly; the algebraic stress model performs better in this case. (d) For flows with regions of secondary flow (noncircular duct flows), the algebraic stress model performs fairly well. Two important factors in the numerical solution of the model equations, namely false diffusion and inlet boundary conditions, are discussed. The existence of countergradient transport and its implications in turbulence modeling are examined. Finally, some recommendations for improving the model performance are made. The need for detailed experimental data in flows with strong curvature is emphasized.