Turbulence kinetic energy explained

Turbulence kinetic energy
Symbols:	,
Baseunits:	J/kg = m⋅s
Derivations:	k = (1)/(2) \left( \overline{(u') ^{2}} + \overline{(v') ^{2}} + \overline{(w') ^{2}} \right)

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 characterized by measured root-mean-square (RMS) velocity fluctuations. In the Reynolds-averaged Navier Stokes equations, the turbulence kinetic energy can be calculated based on the closure method, i.e. a turbulence model.

The TKE can be defined to be half the sum of the variances σ² (square of standard deviations σ) of the fluctuating velocity components:$$k\; =\; \backslash frac12\; (\backslash sigma\_u^2\; +\; \backslash sigma\_v^2\; +\; \backslash sigma\_w^2)\; =\; \backslash frac12\; \backslash left(\backslash ,\; \backslash overline\; +\; \backslash overline\; +\; \backslash overline\; \backslash ,\backslash right),$$where each turbulent velocity component is the difference between the instantaneous and the average velocity:

u' = u - \overline{u} (Reynolds decomposition). The mean and variance are respectively.

TKE can be produced by fluid shear, friction or buoyancy, or through external forcing at low-frequency eddy 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:$$\backslash frac\; +\; \backslash nabla\; \backslash cdot\; T\text{'}\; =\; P\; -\; \backslash varepsilon,$$where:^[1]

• is the mean-flow material derivative of TKE;
• is the turbulence transport of TKE;
• is the production of TKE, and
• is the TKE dissipation.

Assuming that molecular viscosity is constant, and making the Boussinesq approximation, the TKE equation is:$$\backslash underbrace\_\; \backslash !\backslash !\backslash !\; +\; \backslash \; \backslash underbrace\_\; =\; -\; \backslash underbrace\; \_\; -\; \backslash underbrace\; \_\; +\; \backslash underbrace\_\; -\; \backslash underbrace\; \_\; -\; \backslash underbrace\; \_\; -\; \backslash underbrace\; \_$$

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 discretizing 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 stress that results from the averaging procedure:$$\backslash overline\; =\; \backslash frac23\; k\; \backslash delta\_\; -\; \backslash nu\_t\; \backslash left(\backslash frac\; +\; \backslash frac\; \backslash right),$$where $$\backslash nu\_t\; =\; c\; \backslash cdot\; \backslash sqrt\; \backslash cdot\; l\_m.$$

The exact method of resolving TKE depends upon the turbulence model used; – (k–epsilon) models assume isotropy of turbulence whereby the normal stresses are equal:$$\backslash overline\; =\; \backslash overline\; =\; \backslash overline.$$

This assumption makes modelling of turbulence quantities (and) 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.$$k\; =\; \backslash frac32\; (U\; I)^2,$$where is the initial turbulence intensity [%] given below, and is the initial velocity magnitude. As an example for pipe flows, with the Reynolds number based on the pipe diameter:$$I\; =\; 0.16\; Re^.$$

Here is the turbulence or eddy length scale, given below, and is a – model parameter whose value is typically given as 0.09;

$$\backslash varepsilon\; =\; ^\backslash frac34\; k^\backslash frac32\; l^.$$

The turbulent length scale can be estimated as$$l\; =\; 0.07L,$$with 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]

Further reading

• Turbulence kinetic energy at CFD Online.
• Absi. R.. Analytical solutions for the modeled -equation . Journal of Applied Mechanics. 75. 2008. 44501. 044501. 10.1115/1.2912722. 2008JAM....75d4501A.
• Lacey, R. W. J.; Neary, V. S.; Liao, J. C.; Enders, E. C.; Tritico, H. M. (2012). "The IPOS framework: linking fish swimming performance in altered flows from laboratory experiments to rivers." River Res. Applic. 28 (4), pp. 429–443. doi:10.1002/rra.1584.
• Wilcox, D. C. (2006). "Turbulence modeling for CFD". Third edition. DCW Industries, La Canada, USA. ISBN 978-1-928729-08-2.

Notes and References

1. Book: Pope, S. B.. 2000. Turbulent Flows. limited. Cambridge. 122–134 . Cambridge University Press. 978-0521598866.
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. Joseph Valentin Boussinesq. Boussinesq. J. V.. 1877. Théorie de l'Écoulement Tourbillant. Mem. Présentés Par Divers Savants Acad. Sci. Inst. Fr.. 23. 46–50.
4. Book: Laurence, D. . 2002 . Applications of Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes Equations to Industrial Flows . van Beeck . J. P. A. J. . Benocci . C. . Introduction to Turbulence Modelling, Held March 18–22, 2002 at Von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics . . Von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics.
5. Book: Flórez Orrego . etal . 2012 . https://books.google.com/books?id=gumvHDQmJD0C&q=Experimental+and+CFD+study+of+a+single+phase+cone-shaped+helical+coiled+heat+exchanger%3A+an+empirical+correlation&pg=PA302 . Experimental and CFD study of a single phase cone-shaped helical coiled heat exchanger: an empirical correlation . Proceedings of ECOS 2012 – The 25th International Conference on Efficiency, Cost, Optimization, Simulation and Environmental Impact of Energy Systems, June 26–29, 2012, Perugia, Italy . 978-88-6655-322-9.