Turbulence Modeling Advances and Validation for High Speed Aeropropulsive Flows

Abstract

Advances made in extending a unified k–ε based RANS turbulence model to “more reliably” analyze high-speed aero-propulsive flows are discussed. The unified model solves additional scalar fluctuation model (SFM) equations to predict variations in turbulent Prandtl and Schmidt numbers, which can be quite substantial for these types of flows. The discussion includes a historical perspective of the developmental work performed as well as an overview of the current modeling status. RANS modeling still plays a dominant role in the “practical” analysis of aeropropulsive flows. It is used for preliminary design and design-optimization studies, where a large matrix of calculations must be performed, and, in the application of hybrid RANS/LES methodology, where the use of LES is often restricted to massively separated or jet/free shear regions of the flow. In extending the model, we have adhered to a “building-block” philosophy using data sets of increasing complexity and emphasizing high-speed applications where compressibility effects can play a dominant role. Fundamental laboratory data sets as well as benchmark LES/DNS solutions have been used for model calibration and validation, with several key comparisons presented in this article. Recent extensions described in this article include: low Re extensions to the SFM model improving near wall predictions; a compressibility/density gradient correction to the species fluctuation equation improving mixing predictions; and, a baroclinic torque correction to the kinetic energy equation improving predictions for angled jets. This article shows how these extensions serve to improve comparisons with data for a number of basic aeropropulsive flows, and it also discusses utilization of the unified RANS model in a hybrid RAN/LES DES modeling framework.