All issues

Numerical modeling of turbulent flows requires finding the balance between accuracy and computational efficiency. For example, DNS and LES models allow to obtain more accurate results, comparing to RANS models, but are more computationally expensive. Because of this, modern applied simulations are mostly performed with RANS models. But even RANS models can be computationally expensive for complex geometries or series simulations due to the necessity of resolving the boundary layer. Some methods, such as wall functions and near-wall domain decomposition, allow to significantly improve the speed of RANS simulations. However, they inevitably lose precision due to using a simplified model in the near-wall domain. To obtain a model that is both accurate and computationally efficient, it is possible to construct a surrogate model based on previously made simulations using the precise model.

In this paper, an operator is constructed that allows reconstruction of the flow field obtained by an accurate model based on the flow field obtained by the simplified model. Spalart–Allmaras model with approximate nearwall domain decomposition and Spalart–Allmaras model resolving the near-wall region are taken as the simplified and the base models respectively. The operator is constructed using a local approach, i. e. to reconstruct a point in the flow field, only features (flow variables and their derivatives) at this point in the field are used. The operator is constructed using the Random Forest algorithm. The efficiency and accuracy of the obtained surrogate model are demonstrated on the supersonic flow over a compression corner with different values for angle $\alpha$ and Reynolds number. The investigation has been conducted into interpolation and extrapolation both by $Re$ and $\alpha$.

Numerical investigation of mixing non-isothermal streams of sodium coolant in a T-branch is carried out in the FlowVision CFD software. This study is aimed at argumentation of applicability of different approaches to prediction of oscillating behavior of the flow in the mixing zone and simulation of temperature pulsations. The following approaches are considered: URANS (Unsteady Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokers), LES (Large Eddy Simulation) and quasi-DNS (Direct Numerical Simulation). One of the main tasks of the work is detection of the advantages and drawbacks of the aforementioned approaches.

Numerical investigation of temperature pulsations, arising in the liquid and T-branch walls from the mixing of non-isothermal streams of sodium coolant was carried out within a mathematical model assuming that the flow is turbulent, the fluid density does not depend on pressure, and that heat exchange proceeds between the coolant and T-branch walls. Model LMS designed for modeling turbulent heat transfer was used in the calculations within URANS approach. The model allows calculation of the Prandtl number distribution over the computational domain.

Preliminary study was dedicated to estimation of the influence of computational grid on the development of oscillating flow and character of temperature pulsation within the aforementioned approaches. The study resulted in formulation of criteria for grid generation for each approach.

Then, calculations of three flow regimes have been carried out. The regimes differ by the ratios of the sodium mass flow rates and temperatures at the T-branch inlets. Each regime was calculated with use of the URANS, LES and quasi-DNS approaches.

At the final stage of the work analytical comparison of numerical and experimental data was performed. Advantages and drawbacks of each approach to simulation of mixing non-isothermal streams of sodium coolant in the T-branch are revealed and formulated.

It is shown that the URANS approach predicts the mean temperature distribution with a reasonable accuracy. It requires essentially less computational and time resources compared to the LES and DNS approaches. The drawback of this approach is that it does not reproduce pulsations of velocity, pressure and temperature.

The LES and DNS approaches also predict the mean temperature with a reasonable accuracy. They provide oscillating solutions. The obtained amplitudes of the temperature pulsations exceed the experimental ones. The spectral power densities in the check points inside the sodium flow agree well with the experimental data. However, the expenses of the computational and time resources essentially exceed those for the URANS approach in the performed numerical experiments: 350 times for LES and 1500 times for ·DNS.