Implementation and Validation of a Turbulence Model with Variable Turbulent Prandtl Number in OpenFOAM

Abstract: This thesis focuses on implementing a turbulence model with a variable turbulent Prandtl number into the open source software OpenFOAM and later perform validation for a case with simple geometry. Although more computational resources are at our disposal, there is still a need to improve the existing simulation methods. One approach in how to improve the turbulence models, is to improve the accuracy concerning heat transfer problems. Since most turbulence models use the Reynold's analogy, the thesis avoids this assumption. The method for applying a variable turbulent Prandtl number was to perform a literature review where twelve relevant research papers were studied. Out of the twelve research papers, one turbulence model was chosen for implementation which is based on the k - ε model. This model is chosen to be implemented as a modication to an already existing solver within OpenFOAM. The results showed that the chosen turbulence model could not be fully implemented, however the modications showed good promise. As it was expected, the modified solver showed that as the turbulent Prandtl number varies so does the temperature. The author recommends further modication to the modified solver in order to overcome the obstacles, before moving on to more complicated validation cases.