Results of direct numerical (DNS) and large eddy simulation (LES) of turbulent longitudinal flow in rod bundles are presented using the lattice Boltzmann method with the Bhatnagar–Gross–Krook collision operator [P.L. Bhatnagar, E.P. Gross, M. Krook, A model for collision processes in gases. I. Small amplitude processes in charged and neutral one-component systems, Phys. Rev. 94 (1954) 511; Y.H. Qian, d’Humiéres, P. Lallemand, Lattice BGK models for Navier-Stokes equation, Europhys. Lett. 17 (1992) 479] as a computational framework. The problem requires the accurate modeling of curved walls, to which the method proposed by Yu et al. [D. Yu, M.R. Luo, W. Shyy, Viscous flow computations with the method of lattice Boltzmann equation, Prog. Aerospace Sci. 39 (2003) 329] has been applied. The computational domain is a regular hexagonal prism around the rod. Opposite sides of the prism are coupled periodically. In the longitudinal direction periodical boundary conditions are applied and the flow is driven by a body force. Simulations were carried out using two three-dimensional lattices. It has been found that the application of the model with 19 velocities (D3Q19) gives qualitatively false result. However, we have found that the application of the model with 27 links (D3Q27) can provide the proper mean axial velocity profile, and it also predicts the secondary flow patterns deduced from measurements [A.C. Trupp, R.S. Azad, The structure of turbulent flow in triangular array rod bundles, Nucl. Eng. Des. 32 (1975) 47]. Flow pulsation phenomenon is also observed in our simulations just like in some recent measurements of Krauss and Meyer [T. Krauss, L. Meyer, Experimental investigation of turbulent transport of momentum and energy in heated rod bundle, Nucl. Eng. Des. 180 (1998) 185].
