Examination of air flow characteristics over an open rectangular cavity between the plates

Abstract

Air flow characteristics of an open cavity have been numerically examined by using different turbulence models of Detached Eddy Simulation (DES), k-& epsilon; Realizable, k-& omega; Shear Stress Transport (SST) and Large Eddy Simulation (LES) based on an experimental study of open literature. Numerical results of transient analyses have been compared to experimental results at cavity length-based Reynolds number of Re = 4600. Pressure distributions, streamline patterns, streamwise velocity components, mean velocity values and their vectors have been given in terms of contour graphics. Moreover, velocity profiles have been presented. Pressure fluctuations have been triggered by flow separation and its reattachment. Due to upstream separation of boundary layer, there was curved boundary layer obtained between the outer potential-flow-like and the recirculation zones. As a result, negative velocity values are evidence for rotational flows affected by formation of secondary flows in the cavity. Furthermore, lower pressure region has been observed as a result of rotational flow which was powerful in the open cavity. Numerical results of DES and LES turbulence models are in good agreement with the results of reference study. As the numerical results obtained by LES turbulence model are approximately same with those of experimental reference study, LES turbulence model is mostly recommended. As an option to these turbulence models, k-& omega; SST model could be utilized for limited computer capacity. However, k-& epsilon; Realizable model is not sufficient for capturing rotational flows which are very effective in terms of present case.