Prediction of Turbulent Mixing at the Interface of Density Stratified, Shear Flows Using CFD
Abstract
Density stratified, shear flows are a common flow phenomena that occur in many engineering applications. Using the commercial code CFX 4.1, several numerical simulations were performed involving various stratified shear flows that have been investigated experimentally. One set of experiments dealt with homogeneous shear, involving fresh water and brine, which are miscible fluids. The other set of experiments dealt with a developing shear layer, involving two immiscible fluids, namely fresh water and diesel fuel. Of primary interest in these simulations was the ability to predict trends for the interfacial thickness and local characteristic Richardson numbers. After these verification/validation studies, the re-fueling of a compensated fuel/ballast tank, which is partially characterized by a shear layer, was also simulated. Compensated fuel/ballast tanks (CFBT) are used in US navy ships and are located in the bottom of the ships. During re-fueling diesel fuel is pumped into a series of tanks through a vertical inlet pipe, forcing the compensating sea water out of the bottom of the tank through an exit pipe, and some of the fuel becomes entrained in the water exiting the tank. Of primary interest in this re-fueling process is the extent to which the fuel and water mix.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA477048
Entities
People
- Matthew R. Umbel
Organizations
- West Virginia University