Catalytic converters are widely used in the automotive industry to comply with increasingly stringent emissions regulations. The flow distribution across the catalyst substrate significantly aects its conversion eciency. Measuring the flow in a catalyst system is challenging; computational fluid dynamics (CFD) provides an alternative approach for the assessment of different design concepts and is therefore commonly employed to model flow behaviour. This thesis studies the application of CFD to modelling ow in a two-dimensional system consisting of a catalyst monolith downstream of a wide-angled planar diuser, with total included angle 60°. Computational models are developed using the commercial CFD software STAR-CCM+. Flow predictions are compared to experimental data collected by Mat Yamin, (2012) and also as part of this study. Measurements were obtained on a two-dimensional isothermal flow rig using particle image velocimetry (PIV) and hot-wire anemometry (HWA). Steady flow studies compare different methods of modelling the monolith. Models include the common approach of modelling the monolith as a porous medium and the computationally expensive individual channels model. A hybrid model is developed that combines the two approaches, benefiting from the respective merits of each method. Two monolith lengths are considered, with flow at varying Reynolds numbers. The porous model predicts the downstream velocity prole well for the shorter monolith but overpredicts flow maldistribution for the longer monolith. The inclusion of an entrance effect to account for the pressure losses associated with oblique entry into the monolith channels is studied. Best agreement in downstream velocity is observed when the pressure losses are limited using a critical angle approach. The individual channels model is found to be the most consistently accurate across monolith lengths, attributable to the accurate capture of flow behaviour upon entry into the monolith channels. A novel hybrid model is proposed, which combines the computational efficiency of the porous model with the geometrical accuracy of individual channels. The model is evaluated and is found to provide results similar to the individual channels model, with improved predictions of velocity maxima and minima. Pulsating flow studies present three transient flow regimes with similar inlet pulse shapes and varying Reynolds number and frequency. Predicted velocities in the diuser are in good agreement with PIV flow fields, however CFD predicts higher magnitudes at the shear layer. The model predicts large residual vortices present at the end of the cycle where experimental data shows none; it is concluded that CFD underpredicts turbulence diffusion. Evidence of cyclic variation in experimental data highlights the limitation of URANS turbulence models.

This dissertation presents a study of hyperbolic turbulence modelling for the Gaussian ten-moment equations. In gaskinetic theory, moment closures offer the possibility of deriving a series of gas-dynamic governing equations from the Boltzmann equation. One typical example, the Gaussian ten-moment model, which takes the form of hyperbolic-relaxation equations, is considered as a competitive model for viscous gas flow when heat transfer effects are negligible. The hyperbolic nature of this model gives it several numerical advantages, compared to the Navier-Stokes equations. However, until this study, the application of the ten-moment equations has been limited to laminar flows, due to the lack of appropriate turbulence models. In this work, the ten-moment equations are, for the first time, Reynolds-averaged. The resulting equations inherit the hyperbolic balance-law form from the original equations with new unknowns, which require approximation by turbulence models. Most of the traditional turbulence models for the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations are not perfectly well-suited for the Reynolds-averaged ten-moment equations, because the second-order derivatives presented in these models can break the pure hyperbolic nature of the original model. The relaxation methods are therefore proposed in this project to reform the existing turbulence models. Two relaxation methods, the Chen-Levermore-Liu p-system and Cattaneo-Vernotte models, are used to hyperbolize the Prandtl’s one-equation model, standard k-ε model and Wilcox k-ω model. The hyperbolic versions of these turbulence models are first shown to be equivalent to their original forms. They are then coupled to the Reynolds-averaged ten-moment equations to build the overall hyperbolic governing equations for turbulence flows. An axisymmetric version of Reynolds-averaged ten-moment equations is also derived. A dispersion analysis is conducted for the resulting governing equations, which shows the corresponding dispersive behaviour and stability. The effect of the relaxation parameters is investigated through several numerical tests. All derived turbulence models are applied to solve canonical validation test problems, including two-dimensional planar mixing-layer, free-jet and circular free-jet. The numerical evaluations are analysed and compared against existing experimental measurements.

This Thesis aims to assess the reliability of turbulence models in predicting the flow fields around the horizontal axis wind turbine (HAWT) rotor blades and also to improve our understanding of the aerodynamics of the flow field around the blades. The simulations are validated against data from the NREL/NASA Phase VI wind turbine experiments. The simulations encompass the use of fourteen turbulence models including low-and high-Reynolds-number, linear and non-linear eddy-viscosity models and Reynolds stress models. The numerical procedure is based on the finite-volume discretization of the 3D unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes equations in an inertial reference frame with the sliding mesh technique to follow the motion of the rotor blades. Comparisons of power coefficient, normalised thrust, local surface pressure coefficients (CP) and the radial variation of the section average of normal force coefficients with published experimental data over a range of tip-speed ratios, lead to the identification of the turbulence models that can reliably reproduce the values of the key performance indicators. The main contributions of this study are in establishing which RANS models can produce quantitatively reliable simulations of wind turbine flows and in presenting the flow evolution over a range of operating conditions. At low (relative to the blade tip speed) wind speeds the flow over the blade surfaces remains attached and all RANS models return the correct values of key performance coefficients. At higher wind speeds there is circumferential flow separation over the downwind surface of the blade, which eventually spreads over the entire surface, Moreover, within the separation bubble the centrifugal force pumps the flow outwards, which at the higher wind speeds suppresses the formation of the classical tip vortices. More refined RANS models which do not rely on the linear effective viscosity approximation generally lead to more reliable predictions over this range of higher wind speeds. In particular the Gibson-Launder version of the Reynolds stress transport model and the high-Re versions of the Lien et al non-linear k-ε produce consistently reliable simulations over the entire range of wind speeds. By contrast some popular linear effective viscosity models, like the SST (k-ω) and the v^2-f, perform the poorest over this complex flow range. Finally all RANS models are also able to predict the dominant (lowest) frequency of the pressure fluctuations and the non-linear effective viscosity models, the Launder and Shima version of RSM and the SST are also able to return some of the higher frequencies measured.

In this study / reliability and performance of turbulence models used in CFD softwares to determine the aerodynamics of passenger cars, are tested and compared. In the analyses, drag forces acting on the car, pressure and velocity distributions and wake flow patterns are determined by using several turbulence models with a commercial software Fluent. Calculated results compared to the experimental results given in the literature. It is observed that, turbulence models give relatively reliable results for determining aerodynamic properties of the model car. Among the turbulence models, RNG k-&epsilon / and standard k-&omega / models stand one step ahead of the other models according to results.

High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor (HTGR) is a Generation IV reactor under consideration by Department of Energy and in the nuclear industry. There are two categories of HTGRs, namely, Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) and Prismatic reactor. Pebble Bed Modular Reactor is a HTGR with enriched uranium dioxide fuel inside graphite shells (moderator). The uranium fuel in PBMR is enclosed in spherical shells that are approximately the size of a tennis ball, referred to as \fuel spheres". The reactor core consists of approximately 360,000 fuel pebbles distributed randomly. From a reactor design perspective it is important to be able to understand the fluid flow properties inside the reactor. However, for the case of PBMR the sphere packing inside the core is random. Unknown flow characteristics defined the objective of this study, to understand the flow properties in spherically packed geometries and the effect of turbulence models in the numerical solution. In attempt to do so, a steady state computational study was done to obtain the pressure drop estimation in different packed bed geometries, and describe the fluid flow characteristics for such complex structures. Two out of the three Bravais lattices were analyzed, namely, simple cubic (symmetric) and body centered cubic (staggered). STARCCM commercial CFD software from CD- ADAPCO was used to simulate the flow. To account for turbulence effects several turbulence models such as standard k-epsilon, realizable k-epsilon, and Reynolds stress transport model were used. Various cases were analyzed with Modified Reynolds number ranging from 10,000 to 50,000. For the simple cubic geometry the realizable k-epsilon model was used and it produced results that were in good agreement with existing experimental data. All the turbulence models were used for the body centered cubic geometry. Each model produced different results what were quite different from the existing data. All the turbulence models were analyzed, errors and drawbacks with each model were discussed. Finally, a resolution was suggested in regards to use of turbulence model for problems like the ones studied in this particular work.

Thermal stripping is a major safety challenge in nuclear power generation and propulsion systems. It arises as a consequence of the heat transfer from fluid to surrounding solid components varying in time and typically occurs in regions where the mixing of hot and cold fluids results in turbulent temperature fluctuations. It can occur in a range of components in reactors and thermal-hydraulics systems and may lead to structural failure by high-cycle thermal fatigue. Cases of cooling system pipes failing by this mechanism have been reported at the French Civaux and the Japanese Tsuruga-2 & Tomari-2 pressurised water reactor plants. CFD has great potential to provide predictions for flow fields in the pipe bends and junctions of nuclear plant thermal-hydraulics systems. The current project aims to use CFD to explore the physics of thermal mixing in plant components, and to develop \& validate CFD techniques for studying such problems in industry. Firstly, wall-resolved LES is used to demonstrate the importance of including nearby upstream pipe bends in CFD studies of thermal mixing in T-junctions. Swirl-switching of the Dean vortices generated at an upstream bend can give rise to an unsteady secondary flow about the pipe axis. This provides an additional mechanism for low-frequency near-wall temperature fluctuations downstream of the T-junction, over those that would be produced by mixing in the same T-junction with straight inlets. Wall-resolved LES is however currently computationally unaffordable for studying plant components in industry. Wall-functions offer a solution to this problem by imposing empirical results near walls, such that a coarser grid can be used. LES with blended wall-function predictions for flows in a 90 degree pipe bend and a simple T-junction with straight inlets are compared to experimental data. These studies highlight limitations in the predictive capabilities of the LES with wall-function approach. Predictions from a number of RANS models are also benchmarked. Finally, the consistent dual-mesh hybrid LES/RANS framework proposed by Xiao and Jenny (2012) is further developed as an alternative solution to the high computational cost of wall-resolved LES. Numerous modifications to the coupling between the two meshes are presented, which improve automation and accuracy. The approach is also extended to a passive temperature scalar field. Predictions for channel flows, a flow through periodic hills and thermal mixing in a T-junction between channel flows are all in excellent agreement with reference data.

Turbulent buoyant jets are a major feature in fire hazards. The solution of the Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations through computational fluid dynamic (CFD) techniques allow such flows to be simulated. The use of Reynolds averaging requires an empirical model to close the set of equations, this is known as the turbulence model. This thesis undertakes to investigate linear and nonlinear approaches to turbulence modelling and to apply the knowledge gained to the simulation of compartment fires. The principle contribution of this work is the reanalysis of the standard k- ε turbulence model and the implementation and application of more sophisticated models as applied to thermal plumes. Validation in this work, of the standard k- ε model against the most recent experimental data, counters the established view that the model is inadequate for the simulation of buoyant flows. Examination of previous experimental data suggests that the measurements were not taken in the self-similar region resulting in misleading comparisons with published numerical solutions. This is a significant conclusion that impacts of the general approach taken to modelling turbulence in this field. A number of methods for modelling the Reynolds stresses and the turbulent scalar fluxes have been considered and, in some cases for the first time, are applied to nonisothermal flows. The relative influence of each model has been assessed enabling its performance to be gauged. The results from this have made a valuable contribution to the knowledge in the field and have enabled the acquired experience to be applied to the simulation of compartment fires. The overall conclusion drawn from this thesis is that for the simulation of compartment fires, the most appropriate approach with current computational resources, is still the buoyancy corrected standard k- ε model. However, the turbulence scalar flux should be modelled by the generalised gradient diffusion hypothesis (GGDH) rather than the eddy-diffusivity assumption.

The study of magnetohydrodynamics unifies the fields of fluid mechanics and electrodynamics to describe the interactions between magnetic fields and electrically conducting fluids. Flows described by magnetohydrodynamics form a significant aspect in a wide range of engineering applications, from the liquid metal blankets designed to surround and remove heat from nuclear fusion reactors, to the delivery and guidance of nanoparticles in magnetic targeted drug delivery. The ability to optimize these, and other, processes is increasingly reliant on the accuracy and stability of the numerical models used to predict such flows. This thesis addresses this by providing a detailed assessment on the performance of two electromagnetically extended Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes models through computations of a number of electromagnetically influenced simple channel and Rayleigh-Bènard convective flows. The models tested were the low-Re k-ε linear eddy-viscosity model of Launder and Sharma (1974), with electromagnetic modifications as proposed by Kenjereš and Hanjalić (2000), and the low-Re stress-transport model of Hanjalić and Jakirlić (1993), with electromagnetic modifications as proposed by Kenjereš and Hanjalić (2004). First, a one-dimensional fully-developed turbulent channel flow was considered over a range of Reynolds and Hartmann numbers with a magnetic field applied in both wall-normal and streamwise directions. Results showed that contributions from the electromagnetic modifications were modest and, whilst both models inherently captured some of the reduction in mean strain that a wall-normal field imposed, results from the stress-transport model were consistently superior for both magnetic field directions. Then, three-dimensional time-dependent Rayleigh-Bènard convection was considered for two different Prandtl numbers, two different magnetic field directions and over a range of Hartmann numbers. Results revealed that, at sufficiently high magnetic field strengths, a dramatic reorganization of the flow structure is predicted to occur. The vertical magnetic field led to a larger number of thinner, more cylindrical plumes whilst the horizontal magnetic field caused a striking realignment of the roll cells' axes with the magnetic field lines. This was in agreement with both existing numerical simulations and physical intuition. The superior performance of the modified stress-transport model in both flows was attributed to both its ability to provide better representation of stress generation and other processes, and its ability to accommodate the electromagnetic modifications in a more natural, and exact, fashion. The results demonstrate the capabilities of the stress-transport approach in modelling MHD flows that are relevant to industry and offer potential for those wishing to control flow structure or levels of turbulence without recourse to mechanical means.

The main objective of the thesis is to provide a detailed assessment of the performance of four types of Low Reynolds Number (LRN) Eddy Viscosity Models (EVM), widely used for industrial purposes, on flows featuring SWBLI, using experimental and direct numerical simulation data. Within this framework the two-equation linear k-ε of Launder and Sharma (1974) (LS), the two-equation linear k-ω SST, the four-equation linear φ-f of Laurence et al. (2004) (PHIF) and the non-linear k-ε scheme of Craft et al. (1996b,1999) (CLSa,b) have been selected for testing. As initial test cases supersonic 2D compression ramps and impinging shocks of different angles and Reynolds numbers of the incoming boundary layer have been selected. Additional test cases are then considered, including normal shock/isotropic turbulence interaction and an axisymmetric transonic bump, in order to examine the predictions of the selected models on a range of Mach numbers and shock structures. For the purposes of this study the PHIF and CLSa,b models have been implemented in the open source CFD package OpenFOAM. Some results from validation studies of these models are presented, and some explorations are reported of certain modelled source terms in the ε-equation of the PHIF and CLSb models in compressible flows. Finally, before considering the main applications of the study, an examination is made of the performance of different solvers and numerical methods available in OpenFOAM for handling compressible flows with shocks. The performance of the above models, is analysed with comparisons of wall-quantities (skin-friction and wall-pressure), velocity profiles and profiles of turbulent quantities (turbulent kinetic energy and Reynolds stresses) in locations throughout the SWBLI zones. All the selected models demonstrate a broadly consistent performance over the considered flow configurations, with the CLSb scheme generally giving some improvements in predictions over the other models. The role of Reynolds stress anisotropy in giving a better representation of the evolution of the boundary layer in these flows is discussed through the performance of the CLSb model. It is concluded that some of the main deficiencies of the selected models is the overestimation of the dissipation rate levels in the non-equilibrium regions of the flow and the underestimation of the amplification of Reynolds stress anisotropy, especially within the recirculation bubble of the flows. Additionally, the analysis of the performance of the considered EVM's in a normal shock/isotropic turbulence interaction illustrates some drawbacks of the EVM formulation similar to the ones observed in normally-strained incompressible flows. Finally, a hybrid Detached Eddy Simulation (DES) approach is incorporated for the prediction of the transonic buffet around a wing.

The research and development effort for the next generation of nuclear power stations is being coordinated by the Generation IV International Forum (GIF). The supercritical water reactor (SCWR) is one of the six reactor technologies currently being pursued by the GIF. The unique nature of supercritical water necessitates further examination of its heat transfer regimes. The GIF SCWR blind computational benchmark exercise is focused on furthering the understanding of the heat transfer to supercritical water as well as its prediction. A methodology for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations using STAR-CCM+ 9.02.005 has been developed for submission to the GIF SCWR computational benchmark exercise. The experiments of the GIF SCWR computational benchmark exercise were those conducted by the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA). They are of supercritical water flowing upward in a 7 rod bundle. Of the three experimental cases there are (i) an isothermal case, (ii) a low enthalpy, low heat flux case and (iii) a high enthalpy, high heat flux case. A separate effects study has been undertaken and the SST turbulence model has been chosen to model each of the three experiments. A near wall treatment that ensures a y+<0.09 has been used for both of the heated cases and a near wall treatment that ensures a y+<0.53 has been used for the isothermal case. This computational approach was determined to be the optimal choice which balances solution accuracy with computation time. Final simulation results are presented in advance of the release of the experimental results in June 2014. / Thesis / Master of Applied Science (MASc)