Numerical simulations of the IPPE target geometry flows

A high speed water and liquid lithium (Li) flow is computed over the IPPE geometry to evaluate the performance of different turbulence models in 2D and 3D simulations. Results reported are the thickness of the liquid jet, irregularities in the surface, transient phenomena at the wall which can affect fluid surface and effect of the variation in bulk velocity on these quantities. All models show good near wall resolution of the boundary layer and expected profiles for the free surface flow. Predicted turbulent kinetic energy compare well with published data. Fluctuations of the flow surface at the control location (center of the curved section) and elsewhere are well within 1 mm for all models. However it was observed that the predictions are strongly dependent on the model used. Overall, the predictions of RANS models are close to each other whereas predictions of laminar simulations are close to those obtained with LES models.

► We performed numerical simulation of flow over IPPE geometry using turbulence models in FLUENT.
► Stable free surface profile well within the required design limits was predicted by the models.
► Velocity profiles across the liquid jet and jet thickness different for different models.
► There were some 3D effects noticeable for the velocity profiles but the predicted jet thickness similar to 2D models.
► TKE predicted by different models close to each other and compare will with published data.