The application of a mathematical model for the simulation of a strongly swirling flow in a vortex tube is presented. A staggered Finite Volume approach with the standard k-ε model and an algebraic Reynolds stress model (ASM) for 2D compressible, axisymmetrical flows was used to cany out all the computations. To investigate the effects of numerical diffusion on the predicted results, two second-order-differencing schemes, namely, second- order upwind and the quadratic upstream interpolation, were used to compare with the first-order hybrid scheme. Due to the simple geometry and availability of experimental data, a uniflow vortex tube was simulated to study its flow characteristics and energy separation. It is found that a temperature separation in the tube exists and predictions of the flow and temperature fields agree well with measurements. The use of ASM results in more accurate prediction than the k-E model. Besides, influences of the numerical schemes for convection transport are found to be insignificant in this kind of flow.
展开▼
