Assessment of various turbulence models for transitional flows in an enclosed environment (RP-1271)

Optimal control of enclosed environment requires detailed information of air distribution that could be obtained by numerically solving Navier-Stokes equations with a suitable turbulence model. This investigation evaluated the performance of eight turbulence models for transient airflow in an enclosed environment using experimental data obtained in a room. The study used the room to create three cases with gradually added flow features, which were jet, separations, and thermal plumes. The flow regimes were transitional. The study found that some Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) models were good for simple but not complicated flows. The large-eddy-simulation (LES) model was the most accurate and stable. The detached-eddy-simulation model (DES) model underpredicted turbulence kinetic energy near the walls. If the DES model include the subgrid-scale turbulence kinetic energy, the results can be significantly improved. This study shows the advanced features of LES and DES models for solving airflow in enclosed environment.