Generalizing the Boussinesq approximation to stratified compressible flow

The simplifications required to apply the Boussinesq approximation to compressible flow are compared with those in an incompressible fluid. The larger degree of approximation required to describe mass conservation in a stratified compressible fluid using the Boussinesq continuity equation has led to the development of several different sets of ‘anelastic’ equations that may be regarded as generalizations of the original Boussinesq approximation. These anelastic systems filter sound waves while allowing a more accurate representation of non-acoustic perturbations in compressible flows than can be obtained using the Boussinesq system. The energy conservation properties of several anelastic systems are compared under the assumption that the perturbations of the thermodynamic variables about a hydrostatically balanced reference state are small. The ‘pseudo-incompressible’ system is shown to conserve total kinetic and anelastic dry static energy without requiring modification to any governing equation except the mass continuity equation. In contrast, other energy conservative anelastic systems also require additional approximations in other governing equations. The pseudo-incompressible system includes the effects of temperature changes on the density in the mass conservation equation, whereas this effect is neglected in other anelastic systems. A generalization of the pseudo-incompressible equation is presented and compared with the diagnostic continuity equation for quasi-hydrostatic flow in a transformed coordinate system in which the vertical coordinate is solely a function of pressure. To cite this article: D.R. Durran, A. Arakawa, C. R. Mecanique 335 (2007).     

Wave interaction in a nonequilibrium gas flow

By employing the method of multiple time scales, we derive here the transport equations for the primary amplitudes of resonantly interacting high-frequency waves propagating into a non-equilibrium gas flow. Evolutionary behavior of non-resonant wave modes culminating into shocks or no shocks, together with their asymptotic decay behavior, is studied. Effects of non-linearity, which are noticeable over times of order O(ε^-1), are examined, and the model evolution equations for resonantly interacting multi-wave modes are derived.     

L 1 Convergence to the Barenblatt Solution for Compressible Euler Equations with Damping

We study the asymptotic behavior of compressible isentropic flow through a porous medium when the initial mass is finite. The model system is the compressible Euler equation with frictional damping. As t ?? ??, the density is conjectured to obey the well-known porous medium equation and the momentum is expected to be formulated by Darcy??s law. In this paper, we prove that any L ^?? weak entropy solution to the Cauchy problem of damped Euler equations with finite initial mass converges strongly in the natural L ¹ topology with decay rates to the Barenblatt profile of the porous medium equation. The density function tends to the Barenblatt solution of the porous medium equation while the momentum is described by Darcy??s law. The results are achieved through a comprehensive entropy analysis, capturing the dissipative character of the problem.     

Development of Gas-Particle Euler-Euler LES Approach: A Priori Analysis of Particle Sub-Grid Models in Homogeneous Isotropic Turbulence

A new large eddy simulation (LES) approach for particle-laden turbulent flows in the framework of the Eulerian formalism for inertial particle statistical modelling is developed. Local instantaneous Eulerian equations for the particle cloud are first written using the mesoscopic Eulerian formalism (MEF) proposed by Février et al. (J Fluid Mech 533:1–46, 2005), which accounts for the contribution of an uncorrelated velocity component for inertial particles with relaxation time larger than the Kolmogorov time scale. Second, particle LES equations are obtained by volume filtering the mesoscopic Eulerian ones. In such an approach, the particulate flow at larger scales than the filter width is recovered while sub-grid effects need to be modelled. Particle eddy-viscosity, scale similarity and mixed sub-grid stress (SGS) models derived from fluid compressible turbulence SGS models are presented. Evaluation of such models is performed using three sets of particle Lagrangian results computed from discrete particle simulation (DPS) coupled with fluid direct numerical simulation (DNS) of homogeneous isotropic decaying turbulence. The two phase flow regime corresponds to the dilute one where two-way coupling and inter-particle collisions are not considered. The different particle Stokes number (based on Kolmogorov time scale) are initially equal to 1, 2.2 and 5.1. The mesoscopic field properties are analysed in detail by considering the particle velocity probability function (PDF), correlated velocity power spectra and random uncorrelated velocity moments. The mesoscopic fields measured from DPS+DNS are then filtered to obtain large scale fields. A priori evaluation of particle sub-grid stress models gives comparable agreement than for fluid compressible turbulence models. It has been found that the standard Smagorinsky eddy-viscosity model exhibits the smaller correlation coefficients, the scale similarity model shows very good correlation coefficient but strongly underestimates the sub-grid dissipation and the mixed model is on the whole superior to pure eddy-viscosity model.     

Comparison of low Mach number models for natural convection problems

 We investigate in this paper two numerical methods for solving low Mach number compressible flows and their application to single-phase natural convection flow problems. The first method is based on an asymptotic model of the Navier–Stokes equations valid for small Mach numbers, whereas the second is based on the full compressible Navier–Stokes equations with particular care given to the discretization at low Mach numbers. These models are more general than the Boussinesq incompressible flow model, in the sense that they are valid even for cases in which the fluid is subjected to large temperature differences, that is when the compressibility of the fluid manifests itself through low Mach number effects. Numerical solutions are computed for a series of test problems with fixed Rayleigh number and increasing temperature differences, as well as for varying Rayleigh number for a given temperature difference. Numerical difficulties associated with low Mach number effects are discussed, as well as the accuracy of the approximations. Received on 17 January 2000     

Columnar heat transport via advection induced by inertial waves

Inertial waves are oscillations in a rotating fluid that arise due to the restoring action of the Coriolis force. Low-frequency inertial waves are known to create columnar flow structures inrapidly rotating systems. Columnar heat transport away from the equator has been observed in some strongly forced, rapidly-rotating geodynamo simulations of the Earth’s core. In this study, we investigate the mechanism governing this heat transport by performing direct numerical simulations of model problems comprising buoyant blobs under rapid rotation in a periodic box. We consider a wide range of Rossby numbers (Ro), the ratio of advection to Coriolis force, and Peclet numbers (Pe), the ratio of thermal advection to thermal diffusion. Columnar flow structures, that comprise inertial wave packets, are observed to emerge from the buoyant regions and travel towards the box boundary. We find that the columnar heat transport occurs by advection governed by the local Pe (for instance, a larger vertical elongation in the blob is observed for larger Pe at the same Ro). The magnitude of the advection velocity is determined by the balance between the buoyancy and Coriolis forces. Moreover, the direction of advection is determined by the direction of the wave-induced flow in the columns above and below the blob. Our results suggest that the local Pe could be important for the columnar heat transport in strongly forced dynamo simulations.     

Rigorous justification of the Reynolds equations for gas lubrication

The goal of this Note is to give a rigorous justification of the compressible Reynolds model for gas lubrication, via asymptotic analysis. We start from the equations of motion of compressible viscous fluid in a thin domain and study the limit as the domain thickness tends to zero. At the limit we find the known engineering model. The key of the proof is the strong convergence for the pressure obtained by its decomposition. To cite this article: E. Maru?i?-Paloka, M. Star?evi?, C. R. Mecanique 333 (2005).     

Numerical Simulations of the Sandia Flame D Using the Eddy Dissipation Concept

A turbulent piloted methane/air diffusion flame (Sandia Flame D) is calculated using both compressible Reynolds-averaged and large-eddy simulations (RAS and LES, respectively). The Eddy Dissipation Concept (EDC) is used for the turbulence-chemistry interaction, which assumes that molecular mixing and the subsequent combustion occur in the fine structures (smaller dissipative eddies, which are close to the Kolmogorov length scales). Assuming the full turbulence energy cascade, the characteristic length and velocity scales of the fine structures are evaluated using a standard k- ?? turbulence model for RAS and a one-equation eddy-viscosity sub-grid scale model for LES. Finite-rate chemical kinetics are taken into account by treating the fine structures as constant pressure and adiabatic homogeneous reactors (calculated as a system of ordinary-differential equations (ODEs)) described by a Perfectly Stirred Reactor (PSR) concept. A robust implicit Runge-Kutta method (RADAU5) is used for integrating stiff ODEs to evaluate reaction rates. The radiation heat transfer is treated by the P1-approximation. The assumed β-PDF approach is applied to assess the influence of modeling of the turbulence-chemistry interaction. Numerical results are compared with available experimental data. In general, there is good agreement between present simulations and measurements both for RAS and LES, which gives a good indication on the adequacy and accuracy of the method and its further application for turbulent combustion simulations.     

On Nonlinear Baroclinic Waves and Adjustment of Pancake Dynamics

Three-dimensional nonhydrostatic Euler–Boussinesq equations are studied for Bu=O(1) flows as well as in the asymptotic regime of strong stratification and weak rotation. Reduced prognostic equations for ageostrophic components (divergent velocity potential and geostrophic departure/thermal wind imbalance) are analyzed. We describe classes of nonlinear anisotropic ageostrophic baroclinic waves which are generated by the strong nonlinear interactions between the quasi-geostrophic modes and inertio-gravity waves. In the asymptotic regime of strong stratification and weak rotation we show how switching on weak rotation triggers frontogenesis. The mechanism of the front formation is contraction in the horizontal dimension balanced by vertical shearing through coupling of large horizontal and small vertical scales by weak rotation. Vertical slanting of these fronts is proportional to μ^−1/2 where μ is the ratio of the Coriolis and Brunt–V?is?l? parameters. These fronts select slow baroclinic waves through nonlinear adjustment of the horizontal scale to the vertical scale by weak rotation, and are the envelope of inertio-gravity waves. Mathematically, this is generated by asymptotic hyperbolic systems describing the strong nonlinear interactions between waves and potential vorticity dynamics. This frontogenesis yields vertical “gluing” of pancake dynamics, in contrast to the independent dynamics of horizontal layers in strongly stratified turbulence without rotation. Received 8 April 1997 and accepted 29 March 1998     

A local lagrangian analysis of passive particle advection in a gas flow field

A local analysis is performed to study the departure from passive advection by small inertial particles based on a Lagrangian framework. The analysis considers heavy particles immersed in a gaseous flow and is restricted to short times, making it relevant to the PIV technique. A necessary (but not sufficient condition) for passive particle advection of inertial particles is that the quantity Λ_maxτ_p be much smaller than one, where Λ_max is the largest modulus of the eigenvalues corresponding to the velocity gradient tensor. This allows for the inertial and passive time scales to match beyond the initial transient, and consequently for the respective trajectories to remain relatively close. Due to this important role regarding advection behavior, Λ_maxτ_p is offered as a definition of a local Stokes number, St_Λ. Since this quantity is a field quantity, it directly provides indication of when and where passive advection by particles can be expected. A departure equation is obtained in one-dimension, where the influence of initial velocity and gravity are explicitly shown. If the flow is irrotational, the higher dimensional analysis reduces to a set of decoupled one-dimensional equations acting along each respective eigenvector of the velocity gradient tensor. A similar expression is found for the case of a purely temporal flow field.     

Systematic multiscale models for deep convection on mesoscales

This paper builds on recent developments of a unified asymptotic approach to meteorological modeling [ZAMM, 80: 765–777, 2000, SIAM Proc. App. Math. 116, 227–289, 2004], which was used successfully in the development of Systematic multiscale models for the tropics in Majda and Klein [J. Atmosph. Sci. 60: 393–408, 2003] and Majda and Biello [PNAS, 101: 4736–4741, 2004]. Biello and Majda [J. Atmosph. Sci. 62: 1694–1720, 2005]. Here we account for typical bulk microphysics parameterizations of moist processes within this framework. The key steps are careful nondimensionalization of the bulk microphysics equations and the choice of appropriate distinguished limits for the various nondimensional small parameters that appear. We are then in a position to study scale interactions in the atmosphere involving moist physics. We demonstrate this by developing two systematic multiscale models that are motivated by our interest in mesoscale organized convection. The emphasis here is on multiple length scales but common time scales. The first of these models describes the short-time evolution of slender, deep convective hot towers with horizontal scale ~ 1 km interacting with the linearized momentum balance on length and time scales of (10 km/3 min). We expect this model to describe how convective inhibition may be overcome near the surface, how the onset of deep convection triggers convective-scale gravity waves, and that it will also yield new insight into how such local convective events may conspire to create larger-scale strong storms. The second model addresses the next larger range of length and time scales (10 km, 100 km, and 20 min) and exhibits mathematical features that are strongly reminiscent of mesoscale organized convection. In both cases, the asymptotic analysis reveals how the stiffness of condensation/evaporation processes induces highly nonlinear dynamics. Besides providing new theoretical insights, the derived models may also serve as a theoretical devices for analyzing and interpreting the results of complex moist process model simulations, and they may stimulate the development of new, theoretically grounded sub-grid-scale parameterizations.     

Counter-examples to Concentration-cancellation

We study the existence and the asymptotic behavior of large amplitude high-frequency oscillating waves subjected to the two-dimensional Burger equation. This program is achieved by developing tools related to supercritical WKB analysis. By selecting solutions which are divergence free, we show that incompressible or compressible two-dimensional Euler equations are not locally closed for the weak L ² topology.     

Mechanics of stretchable electronics with high fill factors

Mechanics models are developed for an imbricate scale design for stretchable and flexible electronics to achieve both mechanical stretchability and high fill factors (e.g., full, 100% areal coverage). The critical conditions for self collapse of scales and scale contact give analytically the maximum and minimum widths of scales, which are important to the scale design. The maximum strain in scales is obtained analytically, and has a simple upper bound of 3t_scale/(4ρ) in terms of the scale thickness t_scale and bending radius ρ.     

Analysis of time integration methods for the compressible two-fluid model for pipe flow simulations

In this paper we analyse different time integration methods for the two-fluid model and propose the BDF2 method as the preferred choice to simulate transient compressible multiphase flow in pipelines. Compared to the prevailing Backward Euler method, the BDF2 scheme has a significantly better accuracy (second order) while retaining the important property of unconditional linear stability (A-stability). In addition, it is capable of damping unresolved frequencies such as acoustic waves present in the compressible model (L-stability), opposite to the commonly used Crank–Nicolson method. The stability properties of the two-fluid model and of several discretizations in space and time have been investigated by eigenvalue analysis of the continuous equations, of the semi-discrete equations, and of the fully discrete equations. A method for performing an automatic von Neumann stability analysis is proposed that obtains the growth rate of the discretization methods without requiring symbolic manipulations and that can be applied without detailed knowledge of the source code.The strong performance of BDF2 is illustrated via several test cases related to the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability. A novel concept called Discrete Flow Pattern Map (DFPM) is introduced which describes the effective well-posed unstable flow regime as determined by the discretization method. Backward Euler introduces so much numerical diffusion that the theoretically well-posed unstable regime becomes numerically stable (at practical grid and timestep resolution). BDF2 accurately identifies the stability boundary, and reveals that in the nonlinear regime ill-posedness can occur when starting from well-posed unstable solutions. The well-posed unstable regime obtained in nonlinear simulations is therefore in practice much smaller than the theoretical one, which might severely limit the application of the two-fluid model for simulating the transition from stratified flow to slug flow. This should be taken very seriously into account when interpreting results from any slug-capturing simulations.     

Computational properties of vertical grids for a nonhydrostatic anelastic model

Computational dispersion properties of all vertically staggered grids, which are presently available, are analysed in terms of frequency and group velocity components using the second-order centre difference scheme for a nonhydrostatic anelastic approximation system with a general method. The inertial-gravitational waves with a horizontal scale of a hundred-, ten- and one-kilometres are considered. The comparison analysis shows that the Charny-Phillips (CP) and Lorenz grids are suitable for waves at all abovementioned horizontal scales, while the Lorenz time staggered and Charny-Phillips time staggered grids are applicable only to waves with a horizontal scale less than 10 km. The unstaggered (N) grid is not suitable for simulating waves at any horizontal scale. In an idealised flow numerical test, the result on the CP grid has much less error than that on the N grid.     

A numerical scheme for strong blast wave driven by explosion

After the detonation of a solid high explosive, the material has extremely high pressure keeping the solid density and expands rapidly driving strong shock wave. In order to simulate this blast wave, a stable and accurate numerical scheme is required due to large density and pressure changes in time and space. The compressible fluid equations are solved by a fractional step procedure which consists of the advection phase and non‐advection phase. The former employs the Rational function CIP scheme in order to preserve monotone signals, and the latter is solved by interpolated differential operator scheme for achieving the accurate calculation. The procedure is categorized into the fractionally stepped semi‐Lagrangian. The accuracy of our scheme is confirmed by checking the one‐dimensional plane shock tube problem with 10³ times initial density and pressure jump in comparison with the analytic solution. The Sedov–Taylor blast wave problem is also examined in the two‐dimensional cylindrical coordinate in order to check the spherical symmetry and the convergence rates. Two‐ and three‐dimensional simulations for the blast waves from the explosion in the underground magazine are carried out. It is found that the numerical results show quantitatively good agreement with the experimental data. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Multi-scale analysis of subgrid stress and energy dissipation in turbulent channel flow

In present study, the subgrid scale （SGS） stress and dissipation for multiscale formulation of large eddy simulation are analyzed using the data of turbulent channel flow at Ret = 180 obtained by direct numerical simulation. It is found that the small scale SGS stress is much smaller than the large scale SGS stress for all the stress components. The dominant contributor to large scale SGS stress is the cross stress between small scale and subgrid scale motions, while the cross stress between large scale and subgrid scale motions make major contributions to small scale SGS stress. The energy transfer from resolved large scales to subgrid scales is mainly caused by SGS Reynolds stress, while that between resolved small scales and subgrid scales are mainly due to the cross stress. The multiscale formulation of SGS models are evaluated a priori, and it is found that the small- small model is superior to other variants in terms of SGS dissipation.     

Kinetic theory based multi-level adaptive finite difference WENO schemes for compressible Euler equations

In this paper we proposed the kinetic framework based fifth-order adaptive finite difference WENO schemes abbreviated as WENO-AO-K schemes to solve the compressible Euler equations, which are quasi-linear hyperbolic equations that can admit discontinuous solutions like shock and contact waves. The formulation of the proposed schemes is based on the kinetic theory where one can recover the Euler equations by applying a suitable moment method strategy to the Boltzmann equation. The kinetic flux vector splitting strategy is used in WENO-AO framework, which produces the computationally expensive error and exponential functions. Thus, to reduce the computational cost, a physically more relevant peculiar velocity based splitting strategy is used, which is more efficient than the kinetic flux vector splitting. High order of accuracy in time is achieved using the third-order total variation diminishing Runge–Kutta (TVD-RK) scheme. Several one- and two-dimensional test cases are solved for the compressible Euler equations using the proposed fifth-order WENO-AO-K schemes and the results are compared with conventional WENO-AO scheme. Proposed schemes capture the complex flow features in a smooth region accurately, and discontinuity is also well resolved. Error analysis of the proposed schemes shows optimal convergence rates in various norms.     

Acoustic source terms study for non-isothermal flows using an aeroacoustic hybrid approach

This paper presents a numerical study of noise source term in non-isothermal flows in the context of an aeroacoustic hybrid technique at low Mach numbers. Asymptotic analysis applied to the fully compressible Navier–Stokes equations provides separated sets of equations for the dynamic of the flow and the production and propagation of acoustic waves. Comparisons with analytical dipole and quadrupole distributions are performed, confirming the dipole type of non-isothermal source distribution. This paper is a preliminary work for some more extensive studies on the topic. To cite this article: F. Golanski, C. Prax, C. R. Mecanique 333 (2005).