Comparative analysis of tip vortex flow using RANS and LES

Abstract

The current study focuses on the numerical analysis of tip vortex flows, with the emphasis n the investigation of turbulence modelling effects on tip vortex prediction. The analysis includes comparison of RANS and LES methods at two different mesh resolutions. Implicit LES, ILES, modelling is employed here to mimic the turbulent viscosity. In RANS, the two equation k-ω SST model is adopted. In order to also address possible benefits of using streamline curvature variations in RANS, two curvature correction methods proposed for k-ω SST are tested, and compared. ILES results show very good agreement with the experimental observations. The predicted vortex in ILES is also stronger than RANS predictions. ILES has predicted accelerated vortex core axial velocity very well, while tested RANS models under predict the axial velocity. Adoption of curvature correction has not improved the tip vortex prediction, even though it has reduced the turbulent viscosity at the vortex core.