Large eddy simulation of multiple impinging jets in hexagonal configuration – Mean flow characteristics

•LES was conducted to obtain the mean flow characteristics of multiple impinging jets.•Results were validated on hexagonal configuration benchmark.•Good agreement with experimental data (key flow phenomena are predicted correctly).•Minor discrepancies due to the modelling of inlet conditions were identified.

The highly turbulent flow of 13 air impinging jets in hexagonal arrangement is analyzed numerically by the means of Large Eddy Simulation (LES). All important flow phenomena, i.e. the formation of the fountain flow as well as the negative production of normal stresses near target wall are successfully predicted by the simulation. The mean velocity field and turbulent stresses are validated against existing experimental data. Numerical results show good agreement with experiment. Minor discrepancies can be attributed to the inaccurate modeling of the inlet boundary conditions. A thorough comparison between the simulation results and experimental data is presented and discussed.