This thesis considers the advantages of incorporating laminar kinetic energy modelling into turbulence modelling, in order to predict laminar-turbulent transition. The final aim is to implement an improved transition model into the industrial Finite-Volume code, Code Saturne. The literature review suggests that in order for a RANS-based model to predict transition accurately, modelling of complex, anisotropic phenomena is necessary. The Walters-Cokljat model is shown to compare very well to other transition modelling methods, including correlation-based modelling. The Walters-Cokljat model is a single-point RANS-based model that solves an additional transport equation for laminar kinetic energy. This transition model is especially desirable from an industrial stand-point, due to its single-point RANS basis, with only 3 transport equations. Although this method shows great promise as an industrial tool for transition prediction, results presented here show that there are aspects of the model that require modification. The definition of effective length-scale and the method of accounting for the effects of shear sheltering are the two main areas for consideration. The current definition of effective length-scale is found to be inappropriate for flows with large free-stream length-scales, which are common-place in turbomachinery applications. Another phenomenon commonly found in turbomachinery is separation-induced transition; however, the current function for shear sheltering effects inhibits transition when turbulence intensity is not the forcing factor. Additionally, when reviewed analytically, the definition and placement of the shear sheltering function does not match the observations of Jacobs and Durbin. Alternatives for the definitions of the effective length-scale and the shear sheltering function are proposed. The individual proposals are tested, and steps towards a full working implementation are documented.

Le passage du régime laminaire au régime turbulent s’accompagne d’importantes modifications des propriétés physiques de l’écoulement. Une prévision précise du point du début de la transition laminaire/turbulent revêt donc une importance considérable dans de nombreux domaines pratiques. Lorsque l’intensité des perturbations extérieures est significative, c'est-à-dire dans le cas de couches limites se développant sur une paroi présentant des rugosités ou soumises à une forte turbulence résiduelle (sillage impactant), les mécanismes de formation et d’amplification des instabilités sont profondément modifiés. Ces perturbations sont les modes de Klebanoff (également appelés stries) qui s’amplifient et déclenchent la transition, qualifiée dans ce cas de Bypass. Ces stries sont très énergétiques, caractérisées par des fluctuations de vitesse très importantes (de l’ordre de 10% de la vitesse extérieure), alors que la couche limite conserve son caractère laminaire. La thèse proposée concerne la modélisation de ces stries via la résolution d’une équation de transport pour l’énergie cinétique dite laminaire. Dans un premier temps, le travail du candidat portera sur la modélisation des termes de production et de dissipation de l’énergie cinétique laminaire. Ceux-ci sont liés au processus de réceptivité de la couche limite vis-à-vis des perturbations extérieures et à la dynamique des modes de Klebanoff dans la zone laminaire. Pour ce faire, la thèse s’appuiera sur des études réalisées depuis plusieurs années au sein de l’unité ITAC sur la théorie des perturbations optimales ainsi que sur les travaux numériques et expérimentaux prévus dans le cadre d’un projet de recherche interne Onera. Classiquement cette équation de transport est couplée avec celles correspondant à l’énergie cinétique turbulente et à la dissipation, le mécanisme d’échange entre les énergies cinétiques laminaire et turbulente devra être soigneusement étudié : ce dernier pilote la transition vers la turbulence. Une attention particulière sera portée aux couches limites décollées et plus précisément à la prise en compte de la transition dans ces bulbes. Cette nouvelle modélisation innovante permettra l’amélioration d’une première approche pour le calcul de la transition bypass dans le solveur elsA, développé à l’Onera, et constituera une étape importante vers la mise en place de techniques de prévision de la transition pratiques et performantes. / This work aims to develop a new bypass-transition prediction model based on the Klebanoff modes dynamics. To represent these mode dynamics the Laminar Kinetic Energy (LKE) concept has been chosen, in order to model these mode energy with a new variable. A new deffinition is given to the LKE and a transport equation consequently derived to describe the Klebanoff modes growth and destabilisation. This equation is incorporated in a k-omega turbulence model as done by Walters & Cokljat, to give a three-equation kL-kT-omega formulation. This new model is written in a Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) pattern and only uses local variables, it thus can be used in an industrial context.

A three dimensional computational model of a full scale axial flow tidal turbine has been used to investigate the effects of a range of realistic environmental conditions on turbine performance. The model, which is based on the Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes equations, has been developed using the commercial flow solver ANSYS Fluent. A 1:30 scale tidal turbine is simulated in an open channel for comparison to existing experimental data. The rotor blades are directly resolved using a body-fitted, unstructured computational grid. Rotor motion is enabled through a sliding mesh interface between the rotor and the channel boundaries. Reasonably good agreement in thrust and power is observed. The computed performance curves are offset from the measured performance curves by a small increment in rotor speed. Subsequently, a full scale axial flow turbine is modelled in a variety of conditions representative of tidal channel flows. A parametric study is carried out to investigate the effects of flow shear, confinement and alignment on turbine performance, structural loading, and wake recovery. Mean power and thrust are found to be higher in sheared flow, relative to uniform flow of equivalent volumetric flow rate. Large fluctuations in blade thrust and torque occur in sheared flow as the blade passes through the high velocity freestream flow in the upper portion of the profile and the lower velocity flow near the channel bed. A stronger shear layer is formed around the upper portion of the wake in sheared flow, leading to enhanced wake mixing. Mean power and thrust are reduced when the turbine is simulated at a lower position in a sheared velocity profile. However, fluctuations in blade loading are increased due to the higher velocity gradient. The opposite effects are observed when the turbine operates at greater heights in sheared flow. Flow misalignment has a negative impact on mean rotor thrust and power, as well as on unsteady blade loading. Although the range of unsteady loading is not increased significantly, additional perturbations are introduced due to interactions between the blade and the nacelle. A deforming surface is introduced using the volume-of-fluid method. Linear wave theory is combined with the existing free surface model to develop an unsteady inflow boundary condition prescribing combined sheared flow and free surface waves. The relative effects of the sheared profile and wave-induced velocities on turbine loading are identified through frequency analysis. Rotor and blade load fluctuations are found to increase with wave height and wave length. In a separate study, the performance of bi-directional ducted tidal turbines is investigated through a parametric study of a range of duct profiles. A two dimensional axi-symmetric computational model is developed to compare the ducted geometries with an unducted device under consistent blockage conditions. The best-performing ducted device achieves a peak power coefficient of approximately 45% of that of the unducted device. Comparisons of streamtube area, velocity and pressure for the flow through the ducted device shows that the duct limits the pressure drop across the rotor and the mass flow through the rotor, resulting in lower device power.