Comparison of ω-Based Turbulence Models for Simulating Separated Flows in Transonic Compressor Cascades

Separated flows in the DLR transonic compressor cascades TSG-91-8K and TSG-89-5 are simulated with a quasi-3D Navier-Stokes code using the zonal k-ω/k-ϵ “Shear Stress Transport” two-equation turbulence model of Menter and the multiscale Reynolds stress model of Wilcox. Both of these models use the specific turbulent dissipation rate ω as the length scale variable. The models are also used to simulate the low speed, separated flow, adverse pressure gradient test case of Driver. While both models predict results which are in good agreement with experiment for the latter test case, they yield relatively poor results, particularly for losses, for the cascade test cases, especially TSG-89-5 where separation occurs from both the suction and pressure surfaces. It is known from the cascade test results that the separations are laminar, so some improvement in agreement is achieved by suppressing transition to the separation points in the simulations. The poor accuracy of the models is believed to be related to severe non-equilibrium of turbulence production and dissipation predicted after the shock-induced separations.