Computation of Flow in S Ducts with Wray–Agarwal One-Equation Turbulence Model

Abstract

This paper focuses on the validation and application of a new one-equation eddy viscosity model derived from closure (the Wray–Agarwal model) for three-dimensional flows in serpentine diffusers (S ducts). The S-duct geometry produces streamline curvature and an adverse pressure gradient, resulting in flow separation. Two S-duct geometries are employed in this investigation: one was used in an experimental study conducted at NASA John H. Glenn Research Center in the early 1990s, and the other used in an experimental study conducted at ONERA–The French Aerospace Lab in 2006 and considered for computational fluid dynamics technology validation during the AIAA Propulsion Aerodynamics Workshops in 2012 and 2014. The computational fluid dynamics flow solver ANSYS Fluent is used for flow calculations. Results from the new “Wray–Agarwal” one-equation turbulence model, the widely used Spalart–Allmaras, and the shear-stress-transport models are compared to the available experimental data. Results obtained with the new Wray–Agarwal turbulence model are very promising. It is shown that this new model matches the experimental data better when compared to the Spalart–Allmaras and shear-stress-transport models.