RETRACTED: Modelling and numerical simulation of baffles height effect on a Von Karman turbulent flow (Retracted Article)

Von Karman flows generated by the movement of two contra-rotating discs enveloping a fixed cylinder are an important source of turbulence, especially if they are associated with some tools such as rotating baffles. This work is to model the effect of the baffles height on the mean and turbulent quantities of a turbulent Von Karman flow using an experimental study and a numerical simulation through a stationary two-dimensional Reynolds-Averaged Navier Stokes (RANS-2D) axisymmetric model. The experimental results are obtained by laser Doppler anemometry. The numerical simulation is based on one-point statistical modelling using a low Reynolds number second-order full stress transport closure (Reynolds Stress Model [RSM]). The effect of baffles height is modelled by a source term, which is added only to the equation of mean tangential velocity. The comparison with experiments provides confidence of this modelling technique. Simulations reveal that the height of baffle is a very important parameter which affects both mean and turbulence quantities. The originality of this work is essentially the development of correlations between certain characteristics of the flow and the baffles height showing then that this parameter is an interesting tool which can guide both the level and the structure of turbulence in Von Karman flows.