Simulation of laminar flow in a three-dimensional lid-driven cavity by lattice Boltzmann method

De, Santanu and Nagendra, K and Lakshmisha, KN (2009) Simulation of laminar flow in a three-dimensional lid-driven cavity by lattice Boltzmann method. In: International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat and Fluid Flow website, 19 (6-7). pp. 790-815.

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Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to apply lattice Boltzmann equation method (LBM) with multiple relaxation time (MRT) model, to investigate lid-driven flow in a three-dimensional (3D), rectangular cavity, and compare the results with flow in an equivalent two-dimensional (2D) cavity. Design/methodology/approach - The second-order MRT model is implemented in a 3D LBM code. The flow structure in cavities of different aspect ratios (0.25-4) and Reynolds numbers (0.01-1000) is investigated. The LBM simulation results are compared with those from numerical solution of Navier-Stokes (NS) equations and with available experimental data. Findings - The 3D simulations demonstrate that 2D models may predict the flow structure reasonably well at low Reynolds numbers, but significant differences with experimental data appear at high Reynolds numbers. Such discrepancy between 2D and 3D results are attributed to the effect of boundary layers near the side-walls in transverse direction (in 3D), due to which the vorticity in the core-region is weakened in general. Secondly, owing to the vortex stretching effect present in 3D flow, the vorticity in the transverse plane intensifies whereas that in the lateral plane decays, with increase in Reynolds number. However, on the symmetry-plane, the flow structure variation with respect to cavity aspect ratio is found to be qualitatively consistent with results of 2D simulations. Secondary flow vortices whose axis is in the direction of the lid-motion are observed; these are weak at low. Reynolds numbers, but become quite strong at high Reynolds numbers. Originality/value - The findings will be useful in the study of variety of enclosed fluid flows.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat and Fluid Flow website
Publisher:	Emerald Insight
Additional Information:	Copyright for this article belongs to Emerald Insight.
Keywords:	Laminar flow; Flow; Modelling; Fluid dynamics
Department/Centre:	Division of Mechanical Sciences > Aerospace Engineering(Formerly Aeronautical Engineering)
Date Deposited:	04 Dec 2009 09:05
Last Modified:	19 Sep 2010 05:52
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/24986

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