APPLICATION OF A k-∊ TURBULENCE MODEL TO AN ENCLOSED BUOYANCY DRIVEN RECIRCULATING FLOW

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Abstract
A numerical study is performed of the turbulent two-dimensional air flow in a square enclosure where the vertical walls are held at different constant temperatures and horizontal walls have linear temperature distributions. The equations solved are for continuity, mean momentum and mean thermal energy. The turbulent shear stresses and heat fluxes in these equations are prescribed using a three-dimensional turbulence model involving the solution of two extra differential equations for k, the turbulent kinetic energy, and ∊, its rate of dissipation. Buoyancy effects on the turbulence structure are also accounted for. Results have been obtained in the range of Grashof numbers of 107–108. Moreover, various model constants were tested and a sensitivity study was carried out in order to determine the effect of these constants on the results. A comparison with experimental data is given: the agreement is good.