PANS method of turbulence: simulation of high and low Reynolds number flows past a circular cylinder

The objective of the study is to investigate the capability of PANS (Partially Averaged Navier-Stokes Simulation) model over a wide range of Reynolds numbers and flow physics. In this regard, numerical simulations of turbulent flow past a circular cylinder are performed at ReD 140,000 and ReD 3900 using the PANS model. The high Reynolds number PANS results are compared with experimental results from Cantwell and Coles, Large Eddy Simulation results from Breuer, and Detached Eddy Simulation results from Travin et al. Low Reynolds number PANS results are compared with experimental results from Ong and Wallace and Large Eddy Simulation results from Breuer. The effects of the various PANS parameters (fk, fε, σku, σεu) on the ability to capture turbulence physics at various Reynolds numbers are studied. It is confirmed, as previously predicted from theoretical considerations that: (i) for high Reynolds number flow fε = 1 and σku = σk à fk2 / fε are most appropriate; and (ii) for low Reynolds number flow fε = fk and σku = σk are most suitable. These choices for the parameters stem from the fact that there is no clear separation of scales between the energy scales and the dissipation scales at low Reynolds number unlike in the high Reynolds number where there is a clear separation of scales between the energy containing scales and the dissipation scales. Also, in both cases it is found that decreasing fk leads to improved accuracy in predicting the flow statistics