Open AccessNumerical simulation of a low Prandtl number flow over a backward facing step with an anisotropic four-equation turbulence model
Author(s) -
Giacomo Barbi,
Andrea Chierici,
Valentina Giovacchini,
F. Quarta,
Sandro Manservisi
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
journal of physics. conference series
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.21
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1742-6596
pISSN - 1742-6588
DOI - 10.1088/1742-6596/2177/1/012006
Subject(s) - turbulent prandtl number , turbulence , turbulence modeling , prandtl number , k epsilon turbulence model , mechanics , physics , heat flux , heat transfer , convective heat transfer , k omega turbulence model , reynolds stress equation model , reynolds stress , thermodynamics , classical mechanics , reynolds number , nusselt number
In recent years the use of liquid metals has become more and more popular for heat transfer applications in many fields ranging from IV generation fast nuclear reactors to solar power plants. Due to their low Prandtl number values, the similarity between dynamical and thermal fields cannot be assumed and sophisticated heat turbulence models are required to take into account the anisotropy of the turbulent heat transfer involving liquid metals. In the present work, we solve an anisotropic four-equation turbulence model coupled with the Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes system of equations to simulate a turbulent flow of liquid sodium over a vertical backward-facing step. We implement an explicit algebraic model for Reynolds stress tensor and turbulent heat flux that takes into account flow anisotropic behavior. We study forced and mixed convection regimes when a uniform heat flux is applied on the wall behind the step. Linear isotropic approximations for eddy viscosity and eddy thermal diffusivity underestimate the turbulent heat flux components while this anisotropic model shows a better agreement with DNS results.