Measurements and predictions of fully developed turbulent flow in a simulated rod bundle

Abstract

Fully developed air flow has been investigated over a Reynolds-number range of 82800-346700 in a duct that simulates two interconnected subchannels of a rod bundle with a pitchldiameter ratio of 1.20. Based on equivalent hydraulic diameter, friction factors were found to be 2% lower than for pipe flow. Detailed measurements were made at a Reynolds number of 200000 of axial velocities, secondary velocities, and the Reynolds stresses. The distribution of axial velocity near the walls (normalized with the local friction velocity) could be expressed by an inner law of the wall for y + up to 1500. Distributions of the normal Reynolds stresses and the mean turbulence kinetic energy were similar to those observed in a number of pipe and two-dimensional channel flows and could be correlated using the axial-velocity fluct,uations normalized with the local friction velocity. Maximum secondary velocities were about 1.5 % of the bulk axial velocity. The ‘ k -ε’ turbulence model and an algebraic vorticity source for generating secondary velocities enabled the computation of axial velocities, secondary velocities, and mean turbulence kinetic energies that are in satisfactory agreement with those measured.