Coupled Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes/Large-Eddy Simulation for Outlet Guide Vane and Prediffuser Flows
The objective of the present study was the development/testing of a novel hybrid Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes/large-eddy simulation methodology for predicting the flow at the compressor/combustor interface of a gas turbine engine. The coupling between the flow through the outlet guide vanes and the downstream combustor prediffuser represents the first key component of this interface. Important flow characteristics include three-dimensional turbulent outlet guide-vane wakes, end-wall boundary layers, and both favorable and adverse pressure gradient effects. There is a risk of flow separation if diffuser length and area ratio are not appropriately chosen; alternatively, a significant opportunity exists to reduce system flow losses if this risk is managed properly. Outlet guide-vane/prediffuser flow thus represents a significant modeling challenge. In the present approach to Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes/large-eddy simulation computational fluid dynamics, the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes solver is ap...