Numerical Analysis of Turbulent Convective Heat Transfer in a Rotor-Stator Configuration

Abstract

This paper presents the numerical analysis of convective heat transfer of a rotor-stator configuration, which is typically found in hydro-generators. The Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) turbulence models based on the eddy-viscosity approximation were employed. Different steady and unsteady multiple frames of reference models were used to deal with the flow interaction in the rotor-stator system. The fluid flow and heat transfer analysis were performed using conjugate heat transfer methodology, in which the governing equations for the fluid dynamics, heat conduction with additional constraints on the fluid-solid interface were simultaneously solved. The computed convective heat transfer coefficient was compared against available experimental data to assess the suitability of turbulence models.