Implementation and Validation of k-ε Turbulence Model using C++ Open Source Code Software for Thermal Dispersion in Domestic Water Heater

Abstract

The governing equations of the k-ε turbulence model were implemented using open source computational fluid dynamic (CFD) codes and open field operation and manipulation (OpenFOAM) software to simulate the thermal dispersion between the water flow and the heater in a domestic water heater. The C++ language was used to develop the CFD codes. The QUICK (Quadratic Upstream Interpolation for Convection Kinetics) scheme was applied with the k-ε turbulence model of the thermal dispersion and fluid flow. The SIMPLE (Semi-Implicit Method for Pressure-Linked Equations) algorithm was used to solve the pressure-velocity coupling under turbulence flow. The solutions of the simulations were validated using the experimental results. The transient temperatures at the outlet port of the domestic water heater were obtained using a data acquisition (DAQ) device via K-type thermocouple lines. Twelve cases of the CFD were performed in this study and produced an average error of less than 2.13% when the CFD temperatures were compared with the experimental temperatures.