Finite element analysis of internal flows with heat transfer

This paper presents a finite element-based model for the prediction of 2-D and 3-D internal flow problems. The Eulerian velocity correction method is used which can render a fast finite element code comparable with the finite difference methods. Nine different models for turbulent flows are incorporated in the code. A modified wall function approach for solving the energy equation with high Reynolds number models is presented for the first time. This is an extension of the wall function approach of Benim and Zinser and the method is insensitive to initial approximation. The performance of the nine turbulent models is evaluated by solving flow through pipes. The code is used to predict various internal flows such as flow in the diffuser and flow in a ribbed channel. The same Eulerian velocity correction method is extended to predict the 3-D laminar flows in various ducts. The steady state results have been compared with benchmark solutions and the agreement appears to be good.