Abstract:
The capability of two different OpenFOAM® solvers, namely interFoam and
twoPhaseEulerFoam, in reproducing the behavior of a free water jet was investigated. Numerical
simulations were performed in order to obtain the velocity and air concentration profiles along the
jet. The turbulence intensity was also analyzed. The obtained results were compared with published
experimental data and, in general, similar velocity and air concentration profiles were found.
InterFoam solver is able to reproduce the velocity field of the free jet but has limitations in the
simulation of the air concentration. TwoPhaseEulerFoam performs better in reproducing the air
concentration along the jet, the results being in agreement with the experimental data, although the
computational runs are less stable and more time consuming. The sensitivity analysis of the inlet
turbulent intensity showed that it has no influence in the characteristics of the jet core. With this
research it is possible to conclude that: interFoam with k-Epsilon (k-) turbulence model is the best
choice if the goal of the numerical simulations is the simulation of the velocity field of the jet.
Meanwhile, twoPhaseEulerFoam with mixturek-Epsilon (mk-) shall be considered if the objective
is the simulation of the velocity field and the air concentration.
