Comparisons Between Experimental Measurements and RANS-Based Simulations on the Aerodynamics of a Horseshoe Vortex Configuration

Authors

D.P. Georgiou - University Of Patras, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics, Thermal Engines Laboratory, Greece
K.F. Milidonis - University Of Patras, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics, Thermal Engines Laboratory, Greece
A.I. Geniketzidis - University Of Patras, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics, Thermal Engines Laboratory, Greece

Abstract

Rans – based simulations are often used in order to simulate the highly three dimensional nature of the flow close to the junction area of cascades or other horseshoe vortex configurations. Despite the enormous development of CFD methods and turbulence models of the past decade, the accurate prediction of secondary flows and heat transfer phenomena in blade to blade passages is still considerably a very challenging task. The present study employs the κ-ω Shear Stress Transport (SST) model in order to simulate the secondary flow structures past a symmetric body attached on an endwall and compares the predictions to detailed experimental data obtained on an identical geometry. The experimental data provided an evaluation of how accurately the κ - ω SST model can predict the behavior and spatial position of the horseshoe vortex core as it wraps around the leading edge of the bluff body.