Turbulent Prandtl number
The turbulent Prandtl number (\(Pr_t\)) is a non-dimensional term defined as the ratio between the momentum eddy diffusivity and the heat transfer eddy diffusivity. It is useful for solving the heat transfer problem of turbulent boundary layer flows. The simplest model for \(Pr_t\) is the Reynolds analogy, which yields a turbulent Prandtl number of 1. From experimental data, \(Pr_t\) has an average value of 0.85, but ranges from 0.7 to 0.9 depending on the Prandtl number of the fluid in question.
Definition
The introduction of eddy diffusivity and subsequently the turbulent Prandtl number works as a way to define a simple relationship between the extra shear stress and heat flux that is present in turbulent flow. If the momentum and thermal eddy diffusivities are zero (no apparent turbulent shear stress and heat flux), then the turbulent flow equations reduce to the laminar equations. We can define the eddy diffusivities for momentum transfer \(\epsilon_M\) and heat transfer \(\epsilon_H\) as
\(-\overline{u'v'} = \epsilon_M \frac{\partial \bar{u}}{\partial y}\) and \(-\overline{v'T'} = \epsilon_H \frac{\partial \bar{T}}{\partial y}\)
where \(-\overline{u'v'}\) is the apparent turbulent shear stress and \(-\overline{v'T'}\) is the apparent turbulent heat flux.
The turbulent Prandtl number is then defined as
\(Pr_t = \frac{\epsilon_M}{\epsilon_H}.\)
Many workers have however shown that the turbulent Prandtl number is not close to unity e.g. Malhotra and Kang, 1984, Kays, 1994, McEligot and Taylor, 1996 and Churchill, 2002. It is a strong function of the moleculer Prandtl number amongst other parameters and the Reynolds Analogy is not applicable when the moleculer Prandtl number differs significantly from unity e.g. (MALHOTRA, A. & KANG, S. S. 1984. Turbulent Prandtl number in circular pipes. Int. J. Heat and Mass Transfer, 27, 2158-2161.; MCELIGOT, D. M. & TAYLOR, M. F. 1996. The turbulent Prandtl number in the near-wall region for Low-Prandtl-number gas mixtures. Int. J. Heat Mass Transfer., 39, 1287--1295., CHURCHILL, S. W. 2002; A Reinterpretation of the Turbulent Prandtl Number. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. , 41, 6393-6401. CLAPP, R. M. 1961.)
Application
Turbulent momentum boundary layer equation:
\(\bar {u} \frac{\partial \bar{u}}{\partial x} + \bar {v} \frac{\partial \bar{u}}{\partial y} = -\frac{1}{\rho} \frac{d\bar{P}}{dx} + \frac{\partial}{\partial y} \left [(\nu \frac{\partial \bar{u}}{\partial y} - \overline{u'v'}) \right].\)
Turbulent thermal boundary layer equation,
\(\bar {u} \frac{\partial \bar{T}}{\partial x} + \bar {v} \frac{\partial \bar{T}}{\partial y} = \frac{\partial}{\partial y} \left (\alpha \frac{\partial \bar{T}}{\partial y} - \overline{v'T'} \right).\)
Substituting the eddy diffusivities into the momentum and thermal equations yields
\(\bar {u} \frac{\partial \bar{u}}{\partial x} + \bar {v} \frac{\partial \bar{u}}{\partial y} = -\frac{1}{\rho} \frac{d\bar{P}}{dx} + \frac{\partial}{\partial y} \left [(\nu + \epsilon_M) \frac{\partial \bar{u}}{\partial y}\right]\)
and
\(\bar {u} \frac{\partial \bar{T}}{\partial x} + \bar {v} \frac{\partial \bar{T}}{\partial y} = \frac{\partial}{\partial y} \left [(\alpha + \epsilon_H) \frac{\partial \bar{T}}{\partial y}\right].\)
Substitute into the thermal equation using the definition of the turbulent Prandtl number to get
\(\bar {u} \frac{\partial \bar{T}}{\partial x} + \bar {v} \frac{\partial \bar{T}}{\partial y} = \frac{\partial}{\partial y} \left [(\alpha + \frac{\epsilon_M}{Pr_t}) \frac{\partial \bar{T}}{\partial y}\right].\)
Consequences
In the special case where the Prandtl number and turbulent Prandtl number are both equal to one (as in the Reynolds analogy), the velocity profile and temperature profiles are identical. This greatly simplifies the solution of the heat transfer problem. If the Prandtl number and turbulent Prandtl number are not one, the solution is still simplified because by knowing the fluid's properties but only the momentum eddy diffusivity, one can still solve both the momentum and thermal equations.
In a general case of three-dimensional turbulence, the concept of eddy viscosity and eddy diffusivity are not valid. Consequently, the turbulent Prandtl number has no meaning.[1]
References
- ↑ Script error
- Script error
