Flow dynamics in the short asymmetric Taylor-Couette cavities at low Reynolds numbers

This paper reports on the numerical investigations of Taylor-Couette flow of radius ratio η = 0.25–0.6 performed at low Reynolds numbers Re = 100–200. The inner cylinder and the bottom end-wall rotate, while the outer cylinder and the top end-wall are held fixed. A fully 3D DNS code based on the spectral Chebyshev – Fourier approximation is used. This study is complementary to those of Mullin and Blohm (Phys. of Fluids 2001, vol 13, 136–140) and Lopez et al. (J. Fluid Mech. 2004, vol 501, 327–354) where investigations have been performed for radius ratio 0.5. The 1-cell and 3-cell structures found by these authors are shown to exist for a wide range of radius ratios, and the transition processes between them are qualitatively similar. These structures show hysteresis, disappearing at saddle-node bifurcations which connect at a cusp point in the (Re, Γ) plane. This cusp exists for the entire range of 0.1 < η < 0.75, and it traces out a parabolic curve in the (Re, Γ) plane, reaching a minimum Re at η = 0.375. The detailed 3D DNS computations provide a lot of new information about such phenomena as the modulated rotating wave, the period doubling cascade and homoclinic collision. The results show that the period doubling bifurcation is important in the flow when the radius ratio is close to η = 0.375.     

Influence of Differential Diffusion on Super-Equilibrium Temperature in Turbulent Non-Premixed Hydrogen/Air Flames

In this paper we wish to investigate the occurrence of super-equilibrium temperature values, observed in many experimental configurations. We would like to understand the origin of this phenomenon. Previous authors have already shown that differential diffusion can lead to considerable changes in the temperature field and we would like to build on top of this observation. We investigate numerically super-equilibrium combustion by considering both laminar counter-flow and turbulent diluted hydrogen/air diffusion flames. These turbulent flames are computed using direct numerical simulations (DNS). A detailed reaction mechanism is employed and the transport properties are modeled using multicomponent diffusion velocities, including the Soret effect. Analyzing these results we introduce three complementary parameters (dilution-free mixture fraction, dilution excess and local enthalpy) to describe the local combustion conditions. Introducing a measure of dilution separately from the mixture fraction is necessary for a proper analysis. Using this set of parameters it becomes possible to explain super-equilibrium temperature levels as a consequence of differential diffusion.     

Direct Numerical Simulation of Turbulence in a Stably Stratified Fluid and Wave-Shear Interaction

Turbulence decay in a strongly stratified medium is simulated by a direct pseudo-spectral code solving the three-dimensional equations of motion under the Boussinesq approximation. The results are compared to non-stratified simulations results. We focus on the production of mean shear energy observed in the stratified case. We then simulate the decay of stratified turbulence when affected by an initial horizontal mean flow and show that this mean flow is the major component remaining at large t. Next, we give some analytical elements on wave-shear interaction by using a simple refraction calculation with WKB hypothesis. This calculation is illustrated by simulating the interaction between one monochromatic internal wave and a vertical shear profile. We conclude that the existence of singularities in the mean shear production term in the presence of internal gravity waves may be one of the possible mechanisms involved within stratified turbulent shear flows.     

Application de l'approximation polytropique à la Simulation Numérique Directe de gaz chaudsApplication of the polytropique approximation to Direct Numerical Simulation of heated gases

As alternative to the usual assumptions of Boussinesq, we propose, for heated gases, a new approximation called polytropic approximation. With this approximation the quantities of corresponding state are related by a polytropic law of exponent χ of which we neglect the variability in space-time derivations in the equations governing the flow considered. As application, we used this new proposition to solve numerically a heated gas flow in an annular cavity of rotor-stator type. We expose here the numerical method and some results of the polytropic approximation with comparison to results of Boussinesq approximations. To cite this article: S. Benjeddou et al., C. R. Mecanique 332 (2003).     

A scaling analysis for point–particle approaches to turbulent multiphase flows

Simple dimensional arguments are used in establishing three different regimes of particle time scale, where explicit expression for particle Reynolds number and Stokes number are obtained as a function of nondimensional particle size (d/η)$(d/\eta )$ and density ratio. From a comparative analysis of the different computational approaches available for turbulent multiphase flows it is argued that the point–particle approach is uniquely suited to address turbulent multiphase flows where the Stokes number, defined as the ratio of particle time scale to Kolmogorov time scale (_τp/_τk)$({\tau }_p/{\tau }_k)$, is greater than 1. The Stokes number estimate has been used to establish parameter range where point–particle approach is ideally suited. The point–particle approach can be extended to handle “finite-sized” particles whose diameter approach that of the smallest resolved eddies. However, new challenges arise in the implementation of Lagrangian–Eulerian coupling between the particles and the carrier phase. An approach where the inter-phase momentum and energy coupling can be separated into a deterministic and a stochastic contribution has been suggested.     

DNS of the Turbulent Channel Flow of a Dilute Polymer Solution

A direct numerical simulation of the turbulent channel flow of a dilute polymer solution has been performed in order to compare its turbulence statistics with those obtained in a Newtonian channel flow. The viscoelastic flow has been simulated by solving the whole set of continuity, momentum and constitutive equations for the six independent components of the extra-stress tensor induced by polymer addition. The Finitely Extensible Nonlinear Elastic dumbbell model was adopted in order to simulate a non-linear modulus of elasticity and a finite extendibility of the polymer macromolecules. Simulations were carried out under the narrow channel assumption at a Reynolds number of 169 based on the channel half height and on the friction velocity; they showed a significant reduction in drag, dependent on the influence of the elastic properties of the chains. A qualitative comparison with experiments at a higher Reynolds number has shown that the model here adopted is capable of reproducing all the main features of the polymer solution flow. Analysis of the turbulence statistics suggests that a dilute polymer solution can affect the intensity of the streamwise vortices, leading to an increase in the spacing between low speed streaks and eventually to a turbulent shear stress reduction.     

Noise radiated by a non-isothermal, temporal mixing layer

The ability of Lighthill's analogy to predict the sound radiated by a transitional mixing layer is evaluated by means of direct numerical simulation (DNS). The specific case of low Mach number flows with density variations is investigated. In order to limit the global computational cost, the acoustic source information is based on numerical results where the sound waves have been removed. It is shown that the low Mach number approximation coupled with the acoustic analogy can lead to very accurate predictions for the radiated sound if the acoustic sources in Lighthill's equation are taken into account carefully. Results for the acoustic intensity deduced from a repeated use of the Lighthill's analogy over a wide range of Mach numbers allow us to discuss the adequacy of scaling laws proposed by previous authors (J. Sound Vib. 28(3), 563–585, 1973; 31(4), 391–397, 1973; 48(1), 95–111, 1976) for the prediction of noise from hot jets.     

On the influence of near-wall forces in particle-laden channel flows

Computation of a turbulent dilute gas–solid channel flow has been undertaken to study the influence of using wall-corrected drag coefficients and of the lift force on the dispersed phase characteristics. The incompressible Navier–Stokes equations governing the carrier flow were solved by using a direct numerical simulation approach and coupled with a Lagrangian particle tracking. Calculations were performed at Reynolds number based on the wall-shear velocity and channel half-width, Re_τ ≈ 184, and for three different sets of solid particles. For each particle set, two cases were examined, in the first one the particle motion was governed by both drag and lift wall-corrected forces, whereas in the other one, the standard drag force (not corrected) was solely acting. The lift force model used represents the most accurate available expression since it accounts for weak and strong shear as well as for wall effects. For this study, we considered elastic collisions for particles contacting the walls and that no external forces were acting. Present results indicate that the use of the lift force and of the drag corrections does not lead to significant changes in the statistical properties of the solid phase, at the exception of some statistics for the high inertia particles.     

DIRECT NUMERICAL SIMULATIONS ON THE TURBULENT FLOW PAST A CONFINED CIRCULAR CYLINDER WITH THE INFLUENCE OF THE STREAMWISE MAGNETIC FIELDS1)

绕流是托卡马克装置中液态包层内常见的流动形态,对流场与热量分布有着重要的影响.本文通过直接数值模拟(DNS),研究了不同磁场强度下$Re=3900$的圆柱绕流,分析了磁场强度对于湍流尾迹的影响.无磁场情况下,直接数值模拟的结果与前人的实验及模拟结果吻合很好.圆柱下游的尾迹中,随着流向距离的增大, 流向速度剖面逐渐从U型进化呈V型, 并慢慢趋于平缓,这表明尾迹中的流动结构受圆柱影响逐渐减小.圆柱后方两侧的剪切层中,由于Kelvin-Helmholtz不稳定性的影响,可以清晰地看到小尺度剪切层涡的脱落.通过对无磁场的计算结果施加流向磁场,本文计算了哈特曼数($Ha$)分别为20, 40和80的工况,以研究磁场效应对于湍流的影响.结果表明磁场较弱时,流动依然呈三维湍流状态.随着磁场增强, 近圆柱尾流区受磁场抑制明显,回流区被拉长,剪切层失稳位置向下游转移.圆柱后方的涡结构由于受到竖直方向洛伦兹力的挤压作用,随着哈特曼数的增加尾迹区域逐渐变窄.相比于无磁场情况的涡结构,由于磁场的耗散作用,相应的涡结构尺度变小.该研究不仅扩展了现有磁场下湍流运动的参数范围,对于液态包层的设计及安全运行同样具有重要的理论指导意义和工程应用价值.