Steady-State Evaluation of Two-Equation RANS (Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes) Turbulence Models for High-Reynolds Number Hydrodynamic Flow Simulations

Abstract : This report presents an evaluation of the steady-state capability of the turbulence models available in the commercial CFD code FLUENT 6.0, for their application to the simulation of hydrofoil turbulent boundary layer separation at high-Reynolds numbers. Four widely applied two-equation RANS turbulence models were qualitatively and quantitatively assessed through comparison with high-quality experimental data at Reynolds numbers of 8.284'106 and 1.657'107. The turbulence models evaluated were the Standard k-e model, the Realizable k-e model the Standard k-w model and the Shear-Stress-Transport (SST) k-w model. It was concluded that the Realizable k-e turbulence model used with enhanced wall functions and near-wall modelling techniques, consistently provided superior performance in predicting the hydrofoil's performance parameters and flow characteristics.