Evaluation of several turbulence models for turbulent flow in concentric and eccentric annuli

Turbulent pow in concentric and eccentric annuli is numerically simulated a s part of an investigation aimed at modeling drilled cuttings transport in wellbores. A numerical code is developed to solve the time-averaged momentu m equation wherein the Reynolds stresses are modeled using the eddy viscosi ty approach. A nonorthogonal curvilinear, boundary-fitted coordinate system is used to facilitate the implementation of boundary conditions. Several t urbulence models, including a one-layer mixing length model developed as pa rt of this study, a two-layer mixing-length model, and a low Reynolds numbe r, two-equation (k-tau) model are used to simulate turbulent pow in several concentric and eccentric annuli. Performance of these turbulence models is evaluated by comparing numerical predictions to experimental data obtained from several sources. Results show that the proposed one-layer mixing leng th model performs as well as the two-layer mixing length model and the two- equation model while avoiding so,nc of the difficulties associated with the implementation of these models.