The predictive capability of RANS, hybrid RANS/LES and LES turbulence models for momentum and thermal energy transfer in wall bounded low-Pr turbulent flows is investigated. Plane channel flow simulations are performed for Reτ = 150 and 640 for Pr = 0.025 and 0.71 with and without buoyancy effects, including both forced and mixed force/natural convection conditions, using the open source spectral element flow solver Nek5000. The prediction of one-point velocity and temperature statistics from the simulations are compared against available DNS results. Results are analyzed to understand the effect of flow conditions on turbulent thermal transport, and assess the relative strengths and weaknesses of the different modeling methods.

This content is only available via PDF.
You do not currently have access to this content.