Rotating Flows and Ekman BL

David Stanbridge

We are trying to resolve a highly swirling field with swirl numbers approaching 7. With the RSM model the results do not match well with measured values. An author has commented that an Ekman layer forms as a result of the swirling flow in a tapered body. Eventually this leads to flow separation in the body which was actually seen in practice. As anyone else experienced this? We are now thinking about running a LES model with a grid of around 0.5 mm but am doubtful if this is fine enough. Again has anyone had experience with high swirl numbers and the LES model?