Application of Reynolds stress transport turbulence closure models to flows affected by Lorentz and buoyancy forces

The effect of magnetic field strength and orientation on two types of electromagnetically influenced turbulent flows was studied numerically under the Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) framework. Previous work (Wilson et al., 2014) used an electromagnetically extended linear eddy-viscosity model, whilst the current paper focuses on the performance of a more advanced Reynolds stress transport type model both with and without electromagnetic modifications proposed by Kenjereš et al. (2004). First, a fully-developed 2D channel flow is considered with a magnetic field imposed in either the wall-normal or streamwise direction. Both forms of the RSM gave good agreement with the DNS data for the wall-normal magnetic field across the range of Hartmann numbers with the additional electromagnetic terms providing a small, but noticeable, difference. For the streamwise magnetic field, where electromagnetic influence is only through the turbulence, the electromagnetically extended RSM performed well at moderate Hartmann numbers but returned laminar flow at the highest Hartmann number considered, contrary to the DNS. The RSM results were, however, significantly better than the previous eddy-viscosity model predictions. The second case is that of unsteady 3D Rayleigh–Bénard convection with a magnetic field imposed in either a horizontal or vertical direction. Results revealed that a significant reorganization of the flow structures is predicted to occur. For a vertically oriented magnetic field, the plume structures increase in number and become thinner and elongated along the magnetic field lines, leading to an increase in thermal mixing within the core in agreement with Hanjalic´ and Kenjereš (2000). With a horizontal magnetic field, the structures become two-dimensional and a striking realignment of the roll cells’ axes with the magnetic field lines occurs. The results demonstrate the capability of the Reynolds stress transport approach in modelling MHD flows that are relevant to industry and offer potential for those wishing to control levels of turbulence, heat transfer or concentration without recourse to mechanical means.