Exploration of rotation/curvature correction method in hydropower application

Paper in proceeding, 2015

A rotation/curvature correction for the shear stress transport model (SST-CC) is implemented and the effects of curvature on turbulence quantities and the performance and added functionality of the model are explored. Unsteady simulations are run using complex geometries that are similar in streamline curvature at high Reynolds number as in hydropower. Velocity, turbulence kinetic energy, as well as Reynolds normal stresses are compared to results using the RNG k-epsilon and SST models. Overall, the SST-CC model shows an appropriate sensitivity to the streamline curvature. The model is tuned by manipulating the cr3 constant by 20% in the production multiplier of fr1. Some questions about fr1 still remain since the model does not capture unsteadiness in the upstream region of the draft tube. The study shows that the tuning of the model does not improve the quality of the results.