• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.23 no.7
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• pp.1223-1232
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• 2014

Density currents have been easily observed in environmental flows, for instance turbidity currents and pollutant plumes in the oceans and rivers. In this study, we explored the propagation dynamics of density currents using the FLOW-3D computational fluid dynamics code. The renormalization group (RNG) $k-{\varepsilon}$ scheme, a turbulence numerical technique, is employed in a Reynold-averaged Navier-Stokes framework (RANS). The numerical simulations focused on two different types of intrusive density flows: (1) propagating into a two-layer ambient fluid; (2) propagating into a linearly stratified fluid. In the study of intrusive density flows into a two-layer ambient fluid, intrusive speeds were compared with laboratory experiments and analytical solutions. The numerical model shows good quantitative agreement for predicting propagation speed of the density currents. We also numerically reproduced the effect of the ratio of current depth to the overall depth of fluid. The numerical model provided excellent agreement with the analytical values. It was also clearly demonstrated that RNG $k-{\varepsilon}$ scheme within RANS framework is able to accurately simulate the dynamics of density currents. Simulations intruding into a continuously stratified fluid with the various buoyancy frequencies are carried out. These simulations demonstrate that three different propagation patterns can be developed according to the value of $h_n/H$ : (1) underflows developed with $h_n/H=0$ ; (2) overflows developed when $h_n/H=1$ ; (3) intrusive interflow occurred with the condition of 0 < $h_n/H$ < 1.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.87-100
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• 1997

The ability of turbulence model to accurately describe the complex characteristics of the flow field and the fuel spray is of great importance in the optimum design of diesel engine. The numerical simulations of the flow field and the spray characteristics within the combustion chamber of direct injection model entgine are performed to examine the applicability of turbulence model. The turbulence models used are the RNG $\varepsilon$ model and the modified $\varepsilon$ model which included the compressibility effect due to the compression/expansion of the charges. In this study, the predicted results in the quiescent condition of direct injection model engine show reasonable trends comparing with the experimental data of spray characteristics, i. e., spray tip penetration, spray tip velocity. The results of eddy viscosity obtained using the $\varepsilon$ model in the spray region is significantly larger than that obtained using the RNG $\varepsilon$ model. The application of the RNG model seems to have some potential for the simulations of the spray characteristics, e. g., spray tip penetration, spray tip velocity, droplets distribution over the $\varepsilon$ model.

• Atmosphere
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.95-108
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• 2011

The effects of an apartment complex on flow and pollutant dispersion in an urban area are numerically investigated using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model. The CFD model is based on the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations and includes the renormalization group k-${\varepsilon}$ turbulence model. The geographic information system (GIS) data is used as an input data of the CFD model. Eight numerical simulations are carried out for different inflow directions and, for each inflow direction, the effects of an apartment complex are investigated, comparing the characteristics of flow and dispersion before and after construction of the apartment complex in detail. The observation data of automatic weather system (AWS) is analyzed. The windrose analysis shows that the wind speed and direction after the construction of the complex are quite different from those before the construction. The construction of the apartment complex resulted in the decrease in wind speed at the downwind region. It is also shown that the wind speed increased partially inside the apartment complex due to the channeling effect to satisfy the mass continuity. On the whole, the wind speed decreased at the downwind region due to the drag effect by the apartment complex. As a result, the passive pollutant concentration increased (decreased) near the downwind region of (within) the apartment complex compared with that before the construction.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.68-80
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• 1995

A series of parametric calculations have been performed in order to investigate the short-term and short-range plume and puff behavior of toxic gaseous and solid pollutant dispersion in an open atmosphere. The simulation is made by the use of the computer program developed by this laboratory, in which a control-volume based finite-difference method is used together with the SIMPLEC algorithm for the resolution of the pressure-velocity coupling appeared In Wavier-Stokes equation. The Reynolds stresses are solved by the standard two-equation k-$\varepsilon$ model modified for buoyancy together with the RNG(Renormalization Group) k-$\varepsilon$ model. The major parameters considered in this calculation are pollutant gas density and temperature, the relative velocity of pollutants to that of the surrounding atmospheric air, and particulate size and density together with the height released. The flow field is typically characterized by the formation of a strong recirculation region for the case of the low density gases such as $CH_4$ and air due to the strong buoyancy, while the flow is simply declining pattern toward the downstream ground for the case of heavy molecule like the $CH_2C1_2$and $CCl_4$, even for the high temperature, $200^{\circ}C$. The effect of gas temperature and velocity on the flow field together with the particle trajectory are presented and discussed in detail. In general, the results are physically acceptable and consistent.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.21-36
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• 2010

A new full scale testing apparatus generically named the Wall of Wind (WoW) has been built by the researchers at the International Hurricane Research Center (IHRC) at Florida International University (FIU). WoW is capable of testing single story building models subjected up to category 3 hurricane wind speeds. Depending on the relative model and WoW wind field sizes, testing may entail blockage issues. In addition, the proximity of the test building to the wind simulator may also affect the aerodynamic data. This study focuses on the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) assessment of the effects on the quality of the aerodynamic data of (i) blockage due to model buildings of various sizes and (ii) wind simulator proximity for various distances between the wind simulator and the test building. The test buildings were assumed to have simple parallelepiped shapes. The computer simulations were performed under both finite WoW wind-field conditions and in an extended Atmospheric Boundary Layer (ABL) wind flow. Mean pressure coefficients for the roof and the windward and leeward walls served as measures of the blockage and wind simulator proximity effects. The study uses the commercial software FLUENT with Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes equations and a Renormalization Group (RNG) k-${\varepsilon}$ turbulence model. The results indicated that for larger size test specimens (i.e. for cases where the height of test specimen is larger than one third of the wind field height) blockage correction may become necessary. The test specimen should also be placed at a distance greater than twice the height of the test specimen from the fans to reduce proximity effect.

• Atmosphere
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.315-326
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• 2007

The effects of windbreaks on the reduction of suspended particles are investigated using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model with the ${\kappa}-{\varepsilon}$ turbulence closure scheme based on the renormalization group (RNG) theory. In the control experiment, the recirculation zones behind the storage piles are generated and, as a whole, relatively monotonous flow patterns appear. When the windbreaks with the 0% porosity are constructed, the recirculation zones are generated by the windbreaks and very complicated flow patterns appear due to the interference between the windbreaks and storage piles. The porosity of the windbreaks suppresses the generation of the recirculation zone and decreases the wind velocity in the windbreaks as well as that outside the windbreaks. As the emission of suspended particles from the storage piles are closely related with the friction velocity at the surfaces of the storage piles, variation of the friction velocity and total amount of the emission of the suspended particles with the height and porosity of the windbreaks are investigated. The results show that higher and more porous windbreaks emit less suspended particles and that the reduction effect of the porosity is still more effective than that of the height. In the case of the windbreak with 30 m height and 50% porosity, friction velocities above the storage piles are smaller than the critical friction velocity above which particles would be suspended. As a result, total amount of suspended particles are much fewer than those in other cases.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.21 no.9
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• pp.1149-1164
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• 1997

In this study, the applicability of the RNG k-.epsilon. model to the analysis of the complex flows is studied. The governing equations based on a non-orthogonal coordinate formulation with Cartesian velocity components are used and discretized by the finite volume method with non-staggered variable arrangements. The predicted results using the RNG k-.epsilon. model of three complex flows, i.e., the flow over a backward-facing step and a blunt flat plate, the flow around a 2D model car are compared to these from the standard k-.epsilon. model and experimental data. That of the unsteady axisymmetric turbulent flow within a cylinder of reciprocating model engine including port/valve assembly and the spray characteristics within a chamber of direct injection model engine are compared to these from the standard k-.epsilon. model and experimental data. The results of reattachment length, separated eddy size, average surface pressure distribution using the RNG k-.epsilon. model show more reasonable trends comparing with the experimental data than those using the modified k-.epsilon. model. Although the predicted rms velocity using the modified k-.epsilon. model is lower considerably than the experimental data in incylinder flow with poppet valve, predicted axial and radial velocity distributions at the valve exit and in-cylinder region show good agreements with the experimental data. The spray tip penetration predicted using the RNG k-.epsilon. model is more close to the experimental data than that using the modified k-.epsilon. model. The application of the RNG k-.epsilon. model seems to have some potential for the simulations of the unsteady turbulent flow within a port/valve-cylinder assembly and the spray characteristics over the modified k-.epsilon. model.

• Wind and Structures
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.647-670
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• 2013

The paper presents a numerical approach to study of fluid flow characteristics and to predict performance of wind turbines. The numerical model is based on Finite-volume method (FVM) discretization of unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) equations. The movement of turbine blades is modeled using moving mesh technique. The turbulence is modeled using commonly used turbulence models: Renormalization Group (RNG) k-${\varepsilon}$ turbulence model and the standard k-${\varepsilon}$ and k-${\omega}$ turbulence models. The model is validated with the experimental data over a large range of tip-speed to wind ratio (TSR) and blade pitch angles. In order to demonstrate the use of numerical method as a tool for designing wind turbines, two dimensional (2-D) and three-dimensional (3-D) simulations are carried out to study the flow through a small scale Darrieus type H-rotor Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT). The flows predictions are used to determine the performance of the turbine. The turbine consists of 3-symmetrical NACA0022 blades. A number of simulations are performed for a range of approaching angles and wind speeds. This numerical study highlights the concerns with the self-starting capabilities of the present VAWT turbine. However results also indicate that self-starting capabilities of the turbine can be increased when the mounted angle of attack of the blades is increased. The 2-D simulations using the presented model can successfully be used at preliminary stage of turbine design to compare performance of the turbine for different design and operating parameters, whereas 3-D studies are preferred for the final design.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.35 no.9
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• pp.923-932
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• 2011

Because of the instability of a flow pattern in the inlet transition square duct (hereinafter referred to as "transition duct") of a heat recovery steam generator (hereinafter referred to as "HRSG") in a combined cycle power plant, the Reynolds number in the first row of a tube bank is differs sharply from that in the sectional area of the transition duct. This causes differences in the heat flux in each tube in the tube bank. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) predictions provide three-dimensional results for velocity, temperature, and other flow parameters over the entire domain of the duct and HRSG. A renormalization group theory (RNG) based k-${\epsilon}$�� turbulent model is used for obtaining the results cited in this study. A porous media option is used for modeling the tube banks and the number of transfer units method is used for determining the heat transfer characteristics. This study describes a comparison between the numerical simulation results and actual design output.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.19 no.11
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• pp.1423-1436
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• 2010

The effects of meteorological and reclaiming conditions on the reduction of suspended particles are investigated using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model with the k-$\varepsilon$ turbulence closure scheme based on the renormalization group (RNG) theory. Twelve numerical experiments with different meteorological and reclaiming conditions are performed. For identifying the meteorological characteristics of the target area and providing the inflow conditions of the CFD model, the observed data from the automatic weather station (AWS) near the target area is analyzed. Complicated flow patterns such as flow distortion, horse-shoe vortex, recirculation zone, and channeling flow appeared due to the topography and buildings in the domain. Specially, the flow characteristics around the reclamation area are affected by the reclaiming height, reclaiming size and windbreak height. Reclaiming height affected the wind speed above the reclaiming area. Windbreak induces more complicated flow patterns around the reclaiming area as well as within the reclaiming area. In front of the windbreak, flow is distorted as it impinges on the windbreak. As a result, upward flow is generated there. Behind the windbreak, a secondary circulation, so called, a recirculation zone is generated and flow is reattached at the end of the recirculation zone (reattachment point). At the lower part of the recirculation zone, there is a reverse flow toward the windbreak. Flow passing to the reattachment point starts to be recovered. Total amounts of suspended particles are calculated using the frictional and threshold frictional velocities, erosion potential function, and the number of surface disturbance. In the case of a 10 m-reclaiming and northerly wind, the amount of suspended particles is largest. In the presence of 5 m windbreak, the friction velocity above the reclaiming area is largely reduced. As a result, the total amount of the suspended particles largely decreases, compared to the case with the same reclaiming and meteorological conditions except for the windbreak The calculated suspended particle amounts are used as the emission rate of the dispersion model simulations and the dispersion characteristics of the suspended particles are analyzed.