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K-epsilon turbulence model

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

K-epsilon (k-) turbulence model is the most common model used in Computational Fluid Dynamics
(CFD) to simulate mean flow characteristics for turbulent flow conditions. It is a two equation model which
gives a general description of turbulence by means of two transport equations (PDEs). The original impetus
for the K-epsilon model was to improve the mixing-length model, as well as to find an alternative to
algebraically prescribing turbulent length scales in moderate to high complexity flows.[1]
The first transported variable determines the energy in the turbulence and is called turbulent kinetic
energy (k).
The second transported variable is the turbulent dissipation ( ) which determines the rate of
dissipation of the turbulent kinetic energy.

Contents
1 Principle
2 Standard k- turbulence model
3 Applications
4 Other models
5 References
6 Notes

Principle
Unlike earlier turbulence models, k- model focuses on the mechanisms that affect the turbulent kinetic
energy. The mixing length model lacks this kind of generality.[2] The underlying assumption of this model
is that the turbulent viscosity is isotropic, in other words, the ratio between Reynolds stress and mean rate
of deformations is same in all directions.

Standard k- turbulence model


The exact k- equations contains many unknown and unmeasurable terms. For a much more practical
approach, the standard k- turbulence model (Launder and Spalding,[3] 1974) is used which is based on our
best understanding of the relevant processes, thus minimizing unknowns and presenting a set of equations
which can be applied to a large number of turbulent applications.
For turbulent kinetic energy k

For dissipation

In other words,
Rate of change of k or + Transport of k or by convection = Transport of k or by diffusion + Rate of
production of k or - Rate of destruction of k or
where
represents velocity component in corresponding direction
represents component of rate of deformation
represents eddy viscosity

The equations also consist of some adjustable constants ,


,
and
. The values of these
constants have been arrived at by numerous iterations of data fitting for a wide range of turbulent flows.
These are as follows:[2]

Applications
The k- model has been tailored specifically for planar shear layers[4] and recirculating flows.[5] This model
is the most widely used and validated turbulence model with applications ranging from industrial to
environmental flows, which explains its popularity. It is usually useful for free-shear layer flows with
relatively small pressure gradients as well as in confined flows where the Reynolds shear stresses are most
important.[6] It can also be stated as the simplest turbulence model for which only initial and/or boundary
conditions needs to be supplied.
However it is more expensive in terms of memory than the mixing length model as it requires two extra
PDEs. This model would be an inappropriate choice for problems such as inlets and compressors as
accuracy has been shown experimentally to be reduced for flows containing large adverse pressure
gradients. The k- model also performs poorly in a variety of important cases such as unconfined flows,[7]
curved boundary layers, rotating flows and flows in non-circular ducts.

Other models
Following are some more models which are usually employed.
Realisable k-epsilon model
Reynolds stress equation model
Re-Normalisation Group (RNG) k-epsilon model

References
1. ^ K-epsilon models (http://www.cfd-online.com/Wiki/K-epsilon_models)
2. ^ a b Henk Kaarle Versteeg, Weeratunge Malalasekera (2007). An Introduction to Computational Fluid
Dynamics: The Finite Volume Method (http://books.google.com/?id=RvBZ-UMpGzIC). Pearson Education
Limited. ISBN 9780131274983.
3. ^ The numerical computation of turbulent flows
(http://users.encs.concordia.ca/~raojw/crd/reference/reference003108.html)
4. ^ usage of k-e to model shear layers (http://www.thermopedia.com/content/1118/?tid=104&sn=1159)
5. ^ usage of k-e approach for modelling recirculating flows (http://samlab.epfl.ch/page-15502-en.html)
6. ^ The Turbulence Model Can Make a Big Difference in Your Results (http://www.innovative-cfd.com/turbulencemodel.html)
7. ^ P Bradshaw (1987), Turbulent Secondary Flows, Annual Review of Fluid Mechanics,
doi:10.1146/annurev.fl.19.010187.000413?journalCode=fluid
(http://dx.doi.org/10.1146%2Fannurev.fl.19.010187.000413%3FjournalCode%3Dfluid)

Notes
'An Introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics: The Finite Volume Method (2nd Edition)' , H.
Versteeg, W. Malalasekera; Pearson Education Limited; 2007; ISBN 0131274988
'Turbulence Modeling for CFD' 2nd Ed. , Wilcox C. D. ; DCW Industries ; 1998 ; ISBN 0963605100
'An introduction to turbulence and its measurement' , Bradshaw, P. ; Pergamon Press ; 1971 ; ISBN
0080166210
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Categories: Turbulence models
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