Lessons learned from the application of CFD models in the prediction of heat transfer to fluids at supercritical pressure

Based on previous and recent work on the subject, the paper summarizes the results obtained in the assessment of various CFD codes and models against experimental data related to heat transfer with fluids at supercritical pressure. The aim of the work is to summarise the lessons learned in this regard, drawing conclusions about model suitability. The results discussed address different codes, models, fluids and geometrical conditions. In particular, experiments with both water and carbon dioxide are considered, the FLUENT and the STAR-CCM+ commercial codes were used together with two different in-house codes adopting different k-ε, k-ω and k-τ models. Experimental data related to circular and non-circular ducts are addressed.