GAS FLOWS WITHIN TURNING SECTIONS

Abstract

An alternative algorithm has been developed for computing the behaviour of flows within arbitrary ducts and channels. This technique requires a small number of downstream marches in the primary flow direction, employing, on each march, numerically efficient procedures originally developed for a single sweep non‐elliptic flow solver. The multiple sweeps allow the capture of effects such as upstream pressure influences and streamwise recirculation. The energy equation is also solved to allow for varying heat transfer between the fluid and the boundary walls. The numerical work is further complicated by considering flows within turning sections of ducts which demonstrate large transverse velocities and consequent distortion of the primary flow. The computations are validated by comparison with a number of fluid/heat transfer experiments. The majority of these are taken from studies of turning flows within circular arc ducts which display the various pressure and transverse flow phenomena for which this new algorithm was initially developed to represent.