Three-dimensional numerical simulation of flows for corotating disks

Abstract

This paper presents a numerical study of turbulent flow in the space between two corotating disks with arm obstruction in a circular shroud. The finite difference method was used to solve the steady-state Navier-Stokes equations with a k-E turbulence model applied in the core of the flow and a modified van Driest formulation of mixing length in the near-wall region. The mean flow fields predicted by this approach are in good agreement with time-averaged measurements. Without the presence of the arm, the flow is divided into a solid-body rotation region near the disk hub and a recirculating flow region near the shroud. The insertion of an arm in the flow reduces the extent of solid-body rotation region and induces a complex flow pattern around the arm. The effects of the arm obstruction on the velocity and pressure fields are discussed leading to a better understanding of the disk rotational flow.