Nonlinear transient phenomena in a three-dimensional cavity flow: A numerical investigation
Abstract
A role of numerical methods in engineering research is illustrated. Three complex flows in a three-dimensional cavity were simulated and an extensive data base was generated which complements data measured in concurrent physical experiments. The numerical investigation's objective was to improve understanding of physical phenomena in laminar and turbulent recirculating flows with and without buoyancy effects. Three flows are simulated in a three-dimensional cavity (150 mm by 150 mm by 450 mm), viz., shear-driven convection of a constant-density fluid buoyancy-driven natural convection and mixed convection. These simulations are based on the concept of Direct Numerical Simulation and use the REMIXCS code. The major numerical achievement is the development and implementation of an efficient and robust QUICK-type scheme, tested for a variety of flow conditions within the cavity. The dominant physical phenomena in the shear-driven flow simulation are Taylor-Gortler (TG) vortices. This is the first simulation to replicate TG vortex phenomena in a cavity and reproduce their consistent physical development. The simulation of natural convection in a cavity reveals that the stabilizing influence of vertical walls inhibits large Rayleigh number flows from developing to fully turbulent flows. The dynamics of the mixed convection flow are determined by complex interactions among the recirculating flow, pressure-driven secondary flows, TG vortices, and buoyancy. TG vortex phenomena and their influence on surface heat flux are accurately reproduced.
- Publication:
-
Ph.D. Thesis
- Pub Date:
- May 1986
- Bibcode:
- 1986PhDT.........8F
- Keywords:
-
- Cavities;
- Cavity Flow;
- Computerized Simulation;
- Convection;
- Laminar Flow;
- Nonlinearity;
- Turbulent Flow;
- Vortices;
- Buoyancy;
- Data Bases;
- Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer