Flow and transport simulation of Madeira River using three depth-averaged two-equation turbulence closure models

Author(s)

Yu, Li-ren

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: WATER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING; v. 5, n. 1, p. 15-pg., 2012-01-01.

Abstract

This paper describes a numerical simulation in the Amazon water system, aiming to develop a quasi-three-dimensional numerical tool for refined modeling of turbulent flow and passive transport of mass in natural waters. Three depth-averaged two-equation turbulence closure models, (k) over tilde-(epsilon) over tilde, (k) over tilde-(w) over tilde, and (k) over tilde-(w) over tilde, were used to close the non- simplified quasi-three-dimensional hydrodynamic fundamental governing equations. The discretized equations were solved with the advanced multi-grid iterative method using non-orthogonal body-fitted coarse and fine grids with collocated variable arrangement. Except for steady flow computation, the processes of contaminant inpouring and plume development at the beginning of discharge, caused by a side-discharge of a tributary, have also been numerically investigated. The three depth-averaged two-equation closure models are all suitable for modeling strong mixing turbulence. The newly established turbulence models such as the (k) over tilde-(w) over tilde model, with a higher order of magnitude of the turbulence parameter, provide a possibility for improving computational precision. (AU)