Analysis and computation of three-dimensional flow in strongly curved ducts

Numerical solutions are presented for three-dimensional laminar and turbulent flow in curved ducts of rectangular cross section and significant curvature. The analysis is based on a primary-secondary velocity decomposition in a given coordinate system, and leads to approximate governing equations which correct an a priori inviscid solution for viscous effects, secondary flows, total pressure distortion, heat transfer, and internal flow blockage and losses. Solution of the correction equations is accomplished as an initial-value problem in space using an implicit forward-marching technique. The overall solution procedure requires significantly less computational effort than Navier-Stokes algorithms. The present solution procedure is effective even with the extreme local mesh resolution which is necessary to resolve near-wall sublayer regions in turbulent flow calculations. Computed solutions for both laminar and turbulent flow compare very favorably with available analytical and experimental results.