An analysis of turbulent fluid flow and heat transfer for vehicles traveling in tubes

The flow in the annular gap between a moving vehicle and a tunnel wall is examined. The turbulent flow and turbulent energy equations for this region are solved in order to calculate the aerodynamic drag and study the associated thermal effects. The energy equation is written neglecting viscous dissipation terms, and assuming a uniform volumetric heat generation in the annular gap equivalent to the energy dissipation. The turbulent fluid flow in the annular gap and the associated thermal boundary layers are divided into developing and fully developed regions. Integral boundary layer solutions and the momentum equation are used in the analysis. The shear stresses and pressure gradient obtained are used to calculate the energy requirements and the resulting heat generation within the annular contents. A boundary layer type solution is obtained for the simultaneously developing hydrodynamic and thermal profiles.