Turbulence kinetic energy

In fluid dynamics, turbulence kinetic energy (TKE) is the mean kinetic energy per unit mass associated with eddies in turbulent flow. Physically, the turbulence kinetic energy is characterised by measured root-mean-square (RMS) velocity fluctuations.

In Reynolds-averaged Navier Stokes equations, the turbulence kinetic energy can be calculated based on the closure method, i.e. a turbulence model. Generally, the TKE can be quantified by the mean of the turbulence normal stresses:

$k = \frac12 \left( \overline{(u'_1)^2} + \overline{(u'_2)^2} + \overline{(u'_3)^2} \right).$

TKE can be produced by fluid shear, friction or buoyancy, or through external forcing at low-frequency eddie scales(integral scale). Turbulence kinetic energy is then transferred down the turbulence energy cascade, and is dissipated by viscous forces at the Kolmogorov scale. This process of production, transport and dissipation can be expressed as:

$\frac{Dk}{Dt} + \nabla \cdot T' = P - \epsilon,$

where:^[1]

• $Dk/Dt$ is the mean-flow material derivative of TKE;
• $\nabla \cdot T'$ is the turbulence transport of TKE;
• $P$ is the production of TKE, and
• $\epsilon$ is the TKE dissipation.

The full form of the TKE equation is

$\underbrace{ \frac{\partial k}{\partial t}}_{ \begin{smallmatrix}\text{Local}\\\text{derivative}\end{smallmatrix}} + \underbrace{\overline{u}_j \frac{\partial k}{\partial x_j}}_{ \begin{smallmatrix}\text{Advection}\end{smallmatrix}} = - \underbrace{ \frac{1}{\rho_o} \frac{\partial \overline{u'_i p'}}{\partial x_i} } _{ \begin{smallmatrix}\text{Pressure}\\\text{diffusion}\end{smallmatrix}} - \underbrace{ \frac{1}{2} \frac{\partial \overline{u_j' u_j' u_i'}}{\partial x_i} }_{ \begin{smallmatrix} \text{Turbulent}\\ \text{transport} \\ \mathcal{T} \end{smallmatrix}} + \underbrace{ \nu\frac{\partial^2 k}{\partial x^2_j} }_{\begin{smallmatrix} \text{Molecular}\\ \text{viscous}\\ \text{transport} \end{smallmatrix}} \underbrace{ - \overline{u'_i u'_j}\frac{\partial \overline{u_i}}{\partial x_j} }_{\begin{smallmatrix} \text{Production}\\ \mathcal{P} \end{smallmatrix}} - \underbrace{ \nu \overline{\frac{\partial u'_i}{\partial x_j}\frac{\partial u'_i}{\partial x_j}} }_{\begin{smallmatrix} \text{Dissipation}\\ \epsilon_k \end{smallmatrix}} - \underbrace{ \frac{g}{\rho_o} \overline{\rho' u'_i}\delta_{i3} }_{\begin{smallmatrix} \text{Buoyancy flux}\\ b \end{smallmatrix}}$

By examining these phenomena, the turbulence kinetic energy budget for a particular flow can be found.^[2]

Computational fluid dynamics

In computational fluid dynamics (CFD), it is impossible to numerically simulate turbulence without discretising the flow-field as far as the Kolmogorov microscales, which is called direct numerical simulation (DNS). Because DNS simulations are exorbitantly expensive due to memory, computational and storage overheads, turbulence models are used to simulate the effects of turbulence. A variety of models are used, but generally TKE is a fundamental flow property which must be calculated in order for fluid turbulence to be modelled.

Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations

Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) simulations use the Boussinesq eddy viscosity hypothesis ^[3] to calculate the Reynolds stresses that result from the averaging procedure:

$\overline{u'_i u'_j} = 2/3 k \delta_{ij} - \nu_t \left( \frac{\partial \overline{u_i}}{\partial x_j} + \frac{\partial \overline{u_j}}{\partial x_i} \right),$

where

$\nu_t = c \cdot k^{1/2} l_m.$

The exact method of resolving TKE depends upon the turbulence model used; k-ε (k–epsilon) models assume isotropy of turbulence whereby the normal stresses are equal:

$\overline{u'^2} = \overline{v'^2} = \overline{w'^2}.$

This assumption makes modelling of turbulence quantities (k and $\epsilon$) simpler, but will not be accurate in scenarios where anisotropic behaviour of turbulence stresses dominates, and the implications of this in the production of turbulence also leads to over-prediction since the production depends on the mean rate of strain, and not the difference between the normal stresses (as they are, by assumption, equal).^[4]

Reynolds-stress models (RSM) use a different method to close the Reynolds stresses, whereby the normal stresses are not assumed isotropic, so the issue with TKE production is avoided.

Initial conditions

Accurate prescription of TKE as initial conditions in CFD simulations are important to accurately predict flows, especially in high Reynolds-number simulations. A smooth duct example is given below.

$k = \frac32 ( U I )^2,$

where $I$ is the initial turbulence intensity [%] given below, and

$U$ is the initial velocity magnitude;

$\epsilon = {c_\mu}^{3/4} k^{3/2} l^{-1}.$

Here $l$ is the turbulence or eddy length scale, give below, and

${c_\mu}$ is a k-ε model parameter whose value is typically given as 0.09;

$I = 0.16 Re^{-1/8}.$

The turbulent length scale can be estimated as

$l = 0.07L,$

with $L$ a characteristic length. For internal flows this may take the value of the inlet duct (or pipe) width (or diameter) or the hydraulic diameter.^[5]

References

1. Pope, S. B., (2003) 'Turbulent Flows', Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
2. Baldocchi, D. (2005), Lecture 16, Wind and Turbulence, Part 1, Surface Boundary Layer: Theory and Principles , Ecosystem Science Division, Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley, CA: USA.
3. Boussinesq, J. (1877) ‘Théorie de l’Écoulement Tourbillant.’ Mem. Présentés par Divers Savants Acad. Sci. Inst. Fr. 23, 46-50
4. Laurence, D. (2002) ‘Applications of Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes Equations to Industrial Flows.’ In van Beeck, J. P. A. J., Benocci, C. (eds), Introduction to Turbulence Modelling, Held March 18–22, 2002 at Von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics. Rhode St.Genese, Belgium: Von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics
5. Flórez-Orrego et al (2012) ‘Experimental and CFD study of a single phase cone-shaped helical coiled heat exchanger: an empirical correlation’, Proceedings of ECOS 2012 – The 25th International Confereence on Efficiency, Cost, Optimization, Simulation and Environmental Impact of Energy Systems, June 26–29, 2012, Perugia, Italy (ISBN online: 978-88-6655-322-9)

External links

• Turbulence kinetic energy at CFD Online.
• Absi R., Analytical solutions for the modeled k-equation, ASME J. Appl. Mech. 75 (2008) 044501,1-4. DOI: 10.1115/1.2912722