Consideration of Sub-Surface Vortices in Suction Sump Using LES

Abstract

In this study, sub-surface vortices generated in a suction sump are simulated. In an experimental model test, sub-surface vortices are qualitatively observed under a bell mouth. Vortex core lines corresponding approximately to sub-surface vortices are visualized when a fine mesh model is used. On the other hand, it is impossible to visualize the vortex core line when a coarse mesh model is used. Therefore, it is obvious that analytical accuracy is improved by using the fine mesh model. However, it is also obvious that a longer total simulation run time is necessary when using the fine mesh model; a significant problem for practical engineers. In this paper, the effects of mesh models are mainly investigated using coarse and fine mesh models. The fine mesh model is generated by refining the coarse mesh model and indicates that a high performance computing technique is an effective approach for suction sump simulation.