Abstract
Two-dimensional flow around an automotive torque converter stator was investigated computationally using a generalpurpose
computational fluid dynamics code. Two turbulence models for the main stream and three methods of treating the
flow near the blade wall were used. The computation results were compared with experimental data obtained by PIV using
a two-dimensional linear cascade in a circulating water channel. The results showed that the standard k-ε model employing
the wall function as a boundary condition on the wall was not able to predict accurately the separated flow near the leading
edge on the blade suction surface. A second-order nonlinear k-ε model using a low Reynolds number type of handling
method near the wall gave the closest results to the measured data for the velocity vector field and total pressure loss coefficient.
All the computed results for the turning angle showed tendencies similar to the experimental data with little discrepancy
in absolute values.
