A Modified k-ε Turbulence Model for Heavy Gas Dispersion in Built-Up Environment

For hazard assessment purposes, the dispersion of gases in complex urban areas is often a scenario to be considered. However, predicting the dispersion of heavy gases is still a challenge. In Germany, the VDI Guideline 3783, Part 1 and 2 is widely used for gas dispersion modelling. Whilst Part 1 use...

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Main Authors: Sebastian Schalau, Abdelkarim Habib, Simon Michel
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-01-01
Series:Atmosphere
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/14/1/161
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author Sebastian Schalau
Abdelkarim Habib
Simon Michel
author_facet Sebastian Schalau
Abdelkarim Habib
Simon Michel
author_sort Sebastian Schalau
collection DOAJ
description For hazard assessment purposes, the dispersion of gases in complex urban areas is often a scenario to be considered. However, predicting the dispersion of heavy gases is still a challenge. In Germany, the VDI Guideline 3783, Part 1 and 2 is widely used for gas dispersion modelling. Whilst Part 1 uses a gauss model for calculating the dispersion of light or neutrally buoyant gases, Part 2 uses wind tunnel experiments to evaluate the heavier-than-air gas dispersion in generic built up areas. In practice, with this guideline, it is often not possible to adequately represent the existing obstacle configuration. To overcome this limitation, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods could be used. Whilst CFD models can represent obstacles in the dispersion area correctly, actual publications show that there is still further research needed to simulate the atmospheric flow and the heavy gas dispersion. This paper presents a modified <i>k</i>-ε-turbulence model that was developed in OpenFOAM v5.0 (England, London, The OpenFOAM Foundation Ltd Incorporated) to enhance the simulation of the atmospheric wind field and the heavy gas dispersion in built-up areas. Wind tunnel measurements for the dispersion of neutrally buoyant and heavy gases in built-up environments were used to evaluate the model. As a result, requirements for the simulation of the gas dispersion under atmospheric conditions have been identified and the model showed an overall good performance in predicting the experimental values.
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spelling doaj.art-5d218470b0fd4459b33b3b9dc5cf0eb02023-11-30T21:10:16ZengMDPI AGAtmosphere2073-44332023-01-0114116110.3390/atmos14010161A Modified k-ε Turbulence Model for Heavy Gas Dispersion in Built-Up EnvironmentSebastian Schalau0Abdelkarim Habib1Simon Michel2Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und—Prüfung (BAM), 12205 Berlin, GermanyBundesanstalt für Materialforschung und—Prüfung (BAM), 12205 Berlin, GermanyEnvironmental Wind Tunnel Laboratory (EWTL), Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability, Meteorological Institute, Universität Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, GermanyFor hazard assessment purposes, the dispersion of gases in complex urban areas is often a scenario to be considered. However, predicting the dispersion of heavy gases is still a challenge. In Germany, the VDI Guideline 3783, Part 1 and 2 is widely used for gas dispersion modelling. Whilst Part 1 uses a gauss model for calculating the dispersion of light or neutrally buoyant gases, Part 2 uses wind tunnel experiments to evaluate the heavier-than-air gas dispersion in generic built up areas. In practice, with this guideline, it is often not possible to adequately represent the existing obstacle configuration. To overcome this limitation, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods could be used. Whilst CFD models can represent obstacles in the dispersion area correctly, actual publications show that there is still further research needed to simulate the atmospheric flow and the heavy gas dispersion. This paper presents a modified <i>k</i>-ε-turbulence model that was developed in OpenFOAM v5.0 (England, London, The OpenFOAM Foundation Ltd Incorporated) to enhance the simulation of the atmospheric wind field and the heavy gas dispersion in built-up areas. Wind tunnel measurements for the dispersion of neutrally buoyant and heavy gases in built-up environments were used to evaluate the model. As a result, requirements for the simulation of the gas dispersion under atmospheric conditions have been identified and the model showed an overall good performance in predicting the experimental values.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/14/1/161atmospheric boundary layerOpenFOAMheavy gasgas dispersionCFDturbulence model
spellingShingle Sebastian Schalau
Abdelkarim Habib
Simon Michel
A Modified k-ε Turbulence Model for Heavy Gas Dispersion in Built-Up Environment
Atmosphere
atmospheric boundary layer
OpenFOAM
heavy gas
gas dispersion
CFD
turbulence model
title A Modified k-ε Turbulence Model for Heavy Gas Dispersion in Built-Up Environment
title_full A Modified k-ε Turbulence Model for Heavy Gas Dispersion in Built-Up Environment
title_fullStr A Modified k-ε Turbulence Model for Heavy Gas Dispersion in Built-Up Environment
title_full_unstemmed A Modified k-ε Turbulence Model for Heavy Gas Dispersion in Built-Up Environment
title_short A Modified k-ε Turbulence Model for Heavy Gas Dispersion in Built-Up Environment
title_sort modified k ε turbulence model for heavy gas dispersion in built up environment
topic atmospheric boundary layer
OpenFOAM
heavy gas
gas dispersion
CFD
turbulence model
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/14/1/161
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