On the influence of turbulent kinetic energy level on accuracy of k − ε and LRR turbulence models

. This paper presents research regarding the influence of turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) level on accuracy of Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) based turbulence models. A theoretical analysis of influence TKE level on accuracy of the RANS turbulence models has been performed accord- ing to the Boussinesq hypothesis definition. After that, this theoretical analysis has been investigated by comparison of numerically and experimentally obtained results on the test case of a steady-state incompressible swirl-free flow in a straight conical diffuser named Azad diffuser. Numerical calculations have been performed using the OpenFOAM CFD software and first and second-order closure turbulence models. TKE level, velocity profiles and Reynolds stresses have been calculated downstream in four different cross sections of the diffuser. Certain conclusions about modeling turbulent flows by 𝑘 − 𝜀 and LRR turbulence models have been made by comparing the velocity profiles, TKE distribution and Reynolds stresses on the selected cross sections.