Orifice/deflector flow

Underlying Flow Regime 4-08 © copyright ERCOFTAC 2004

Best Practice Advice

Best Practice Advice for the UFR

The best practice advice is based on the only known and available numerical computation performed by Wang (1991).

Key Physics

The flow is characterised by an axi-symmetric separation at a sharp-edged circular orifice, leading to a highly turbulent shear layer which is subject to streamline curvature. The shear layer re-attaches some distance downstream from the orifice, producing a region of flow recirculation. The length of the recirculation region is a good overall indicator of predictive performance. This recirculation region has its greatest radial extent a short distance downstream from the orifice, at the 'vena contracta'. Overall there is a large loss in static pressure, due to substantial turbulence generation and subsequent energy dissipation.

Numerical Modelling Issues

To capture the main flow features, a two-dimensional axi-symmetric computation can be undertaken.

To obtain a mesh-independent prediction of the re-attachment length, a grid of at least 128 x 28 cells, refined near the orifice, is required - at least when combined with a flux-blended scheme for convection discretisation (50% upwind, 50% central difference).

Physical Modelling

The standard k-ε turbulence model with wall functions can be used to provide a very good prediction of the reattachment length, mean velocity field and wall friction coefficient. Whilst the turbulent kinetic energy field will be less well-predicted, it will still be found to match measurements quite well at most locations.

Application Uncertainties

The mean velocity and turbulence field is likely to be quite sensitive to the specification of the dissipation rate at the inlet cross-section. This can be specified according to fully-developed pipe flow.

Recommendations for Future Work

The application of a full Reynolds stress turbulence model should, in principle, provide more meaningful predictions of the turbulence field - in particular turbulence anisotropy.

Contributors: Martin Sommerfeld - Martin-Luther-Universitat Halle-Wittenberg