Direct and large eddy simulation of stratified turbulence

Simulations of geophysical turbulent flows require a robust and accurate subgrid-scale turbulence modeling. To evaluate turbulence models for stably stratified flows, we performed direct numerical simulations (DNSs) of the transition of the three-dimensional Taylor–Green vortex and of homogeneous stratified turbulence with large-scale horizontal forcing. In these simulations we found that energy dissipation is concentrated within thin layers of horizontal tagliatelle-like vortex sheets between large pancake-like structures. We propose a new implicit subgrid-scale model for stratified fluids, based on the Adaptive Local Deconvolution Method (ALDM). Our analysis proves that the implicit turbulence model ALDM correctly predicts the turbulence energy budget and the energy spectra of stratified turbulence, even though dissipative structures are not resolved on the computational grid.     

Direct numerical simulation of compressible turbulent flows

This paper reviews the authors＇ recent studies on compressible turbulence by using direct numerical simulation （DNS）,including DNS of isotropic（decaying） turbulence, turbulent mixing-layer,turbulent boundary-layer and shock/boundary-layer interaction.Turbulence statistics, compressibility effects,turbulent kinetic energy budget and coherent structures are studied based on the DNS data.The mechanism of sound source in turbulent flows is also analyzed. It shows that DNS is a powerful tool for the mechanistic study of compressible turbulence.     

Adaptive resolution refinement for pseudospectral simulations of isotropic homogeneous turbulence

Pseudospectral simulations of homogeneous turbulence provide an important class of benchmark flow problems used for fundamental studies of turbulence and for numerical validation purposes. Depending on the numerical resolution, fully resolved computations of homogeneous turbulence can consume large amounts of central processing unit (CPU) time. Here, we present an approach analogous to adaptive mesh refinement for computations performed in physical space to adaptively refine the spectral resolution for pseudospectral computations of isotropic homogeneous turbulent flows. The method is applied to simulations of two-dimensional and three-dimensional isotropic homogeneous turbulence, and the results are compared with direct numerical simulations (DNS) performed using a fixed fine mesh. Significant savings in computational time are found in each case, with little to no compromise in the accuracy of the solutions.     

Non-equilibrium turbulent phenomena in transitional flat plate boundary-layer flows

Many recent laboratory experiments and numerical simulations support a non-equilibrium dissipation scaling in decaying turbulence before it reaches an equilibrium state. By analyzing a direct numerical simulation(DNS) database of a transitional boundary-layer flow, we show that the transition region and the non-equilibrium turbulence region, which are located in different streamwise zones, present different non-equilibrium scalings. Moreover, in the wall-normal direction, the viscous sublayer, l...     

Direct numerical simulation of turbulent pipe flow

Fully developed turbulent pipe flow at low Re-number is studied by means of direct numerical simulation (DNS). In contrast to many previous DNS's of turbulent flows in rectangular geometries, the present DNS code, developed for a cylindrical geometry, is based on the finite volume technique rather than being based on a spectral method. The statistical results are compared with experimental data obtained with two different experimental techniques. The agreement between numerical and experimental results is found to be good which indicates that the present DNS code is suited for this kind of numerical simulations.     

LES-based filter-matrix lattice Boltzmann model for simulating fully developed turbulent channel flow

In this paper, a three-dimensional filter-matrix lattice Boltzmann (FMLB) model based on large eddy simulation (LES) was verified for simulating wall-bounded turbulent flows. The Vreman subgrid-scale model was employed in the present FMLB–LES framework, which had been proved to be capable of predicting turbulent near-wall region accurately. The fully developed turbulent channel flows were performed at a friction Reynolds number Re_τ of 180. The turbulence statistics computed from the present FMLB–LES simulations, including mean stream velocity profile, Reynolds stress profile and root-mean-square velocity fluctuations greed well with the LES results of multiple-relaxation-time (MRT) LB model, and some discrepancies in comparison with those direct numerical simulation (DNS) data of Kim et al. was also observed due to the relatively low grid resolution. Moreover, to investigate the influence of grid resolution on the present LES simulation, a DNS simulation on a finer gird was also implemented by present FMLB–D3Q19 model. Comparisons of detailed computed various turbulence statistics with available benchmark data of DNS showed quite well agreement.     

Theoretical Investigation of an Eddy-Viscosity-Type Expression of the Reynolds Stress with Low-Reynolds-Number Effect

In low-Reynolds-number turbulent flows, the influence of the molecular viscosity is important. The turbulence models which are applied to those flows should include the low-Reynolds-number effect. In this study, turbulent flow with the molecular viscosity effect is analyzed theoretically with the aid of a two-scale direct-interaction approximation (TSDIA) and the energy spectrum and a new low-Reynolds-number-type eddy-viscosity representation are derived. An priori test for the model expression on the basis of the result of direct numerical simulation (DNS) for turbulent Couette flows is performed. Received 5 July 2002 and accepted 8 January 2003 Published online 25 March 2003 Communicated by T.B. Gatski     

Direct numerical simulation of stable and unstable turbulent thermal boundary layers

This paper presents direct numerical simulations (DNS) of stable and unstable turbulent thermal boundary layers. Since a buoyancy-affected boundary layer is often encountered in an urban environmental space where stable and unstable stratifications exist, exploring a buoyancy-affected boundary layer is very important to know the transport phenomena of the flow in an urban space. Although actual observation may qualitatively provide the characteristics of these flows, the relevant quantitative turbulent quantities are very difficult to measure. Thus, in order to quantitatively investigate a buoyancy-affected boundary layer in detail, we have here carried out for the first time time- and space-developing DNS of slightly stable and unstable turbulent thermal boundary layers. The DNS results show the quantitative turbulent statistics and structures of stable and unstable thermal boundary layers, in which the characteristic transport phenomena of thermally stratified boundary layers are demonstrated by indicating the budgets of turbulent shear stress and turbulent heat flux. Even though the input of buoyant force is not large, the influence of buoyancy is clearly revealed in both stable and unstable turbulent boundary layers. In particular, it is found that both stable and unstable thermal stratifications caused by the weak buoyant force remarkably alter the structure of near-wall turbulence.     

Implicit large-eddy simulation applied to turbulent channel flow with periodic constrictions

The subgrid-scale (SGS) model in a large-eddy simulation (LES) operates on a range of scales which is marginally resolved by discretization schemes. Accordingly, the discretization scheme and the subgrid-scale model are linked. One can exploit this link by developing discretization methods from subgrid-scale models, or the converse. Approaches where SGS models and numerical discretizations are fully merged are called implicit LES (ILES). Recently, we have proposed a systematic framework for the design, analysis, and optimization of nonlinear discretization schemes for implicit LES. In this framework parameters inherent to the discretization scheme are determined in such a way that the numerical truncation error acts as a physically motivated SGS model. The resulting so-called adaptive local deconvolution method (ALDM) for implicit LES allows for reliable predictions of isotropic forced and decaying turbulence and of unbounded transitional flows for a wide range of Reynolds numbers. In the present paper, ALDM is evaluated for the separated flow through a channel with streamwise-periodic constrictions at two Reynolds numbers Re = 2,808 and Re = 10,595. We demonstrate that, although model parameters of ALDM have been determined for isotropic turbulence at infinite Reynolds number, it successfully predicts mean flow and turbulence statistics in the considered physically complex, anisotropic, and inhomogeneous flow regime. It is shown that the implicit model performs at least as well as an established explicit model.      

Vortex dynamics of turbulence–coherent structure interaction

We study the interaction between a coherent structure (CS) and imposed external turbulence by employing direct numerical simulations (DNS) designed for unbounded flows with compact vorticity distribution. Flow evolution comprises (i) the reorganization of turbulence into finer-scale spiral filaments, (ii) the growth of wave-like perturbations within the vortex core, and (iii) the eventual arrest of production, leading to the decay of ambient turbulence. The filaments, preferentially aligned in the azimuthal direction, undergo two types of interactions: parallel filaments pair to form higher-circulation “threads”, and anti-parallel threads form dipoles that self-advect radially outwards. The consequent radial transport of angular momentum manifests as an overshoot of the mean circulation profile—a theoretically known consequence of faster-than-viscous vortex decay. It is found that while the resulting centrifugal instability can enhance turbulence production, vortex decay is arrested by the dampening of the instability due to the “turbulent mixing” caused by instability-generated threads. Ensemble-averaged turbulence statistics show strong fluctuations within the core; these are triggered by the external turbulence, and grow even as the turbulence decays. This surprising growth on a normal-mode-stable vortex results from algebraic amplification through “linear transient growth”. Transient growth is examined by initializing DNS with the “optimal” modes obtained from linear analysis. The simulations show that the growth of transient modes reproduces the prominent dynamics of CS-turbulence interaction: formation of thread-dipoles, growth of core fluctuations, and appearance of bending waves on the column’s core. At the larger Reynolds numbers prevailing in practical flows, transient growth may enable accelerated vortex decay through vortex column breakdown.     

Large eddy simulation of gas-particle turbulent channel flow with momentum exchange between the phases

This paper presents results of a large eddy simulation (LES) combined with Lagrangian particle tracking and a point-force approximation for the feedback effect of particles on the downward turbulent gaseous flow in a vertical channel. The LES predictions are compared with the results obtained by direct numerical simulation (DNS) of a finer computational mesh. A parametric study is conducted for particles with two response times in simulations with and without streamwise gravitational settling and elastic, binary interparticle collisions. It is shown that the classical and the dynamic Smagorinsky turbulence models adequately predict the particle-induced changes in the mean streamwise velocity and the Reynolds stresses of the carrier phase for the range of parameters studied. However, the largest discrepancies between the LES and DNS results are found in the cases of particle-laden flows. Conditional sampling of the instantaneous resolved flow fields indicates that the mechanisms by which particles directly oppose the production of momentum and vorticity of the organized fluid motions are also observed in the LES results. However, the geometric features of the near-wall quasistreamwise vortices are overestimated by the use of both turbulence models compared to the DNS predictions.     

On predicting particle-laden turbulent flows

The paper provides an overview of the challenges and progress associated with the task of numerically predicting particle-laden turbulent flows. The review covers the mathematical methods based on turbulence closure models as well as direct numerical simulation (DNS). In addition, the statistical (pdf) approach in deriving the dispersed-phase transport equations is discussed. The review is restricted to incompressible, isothermal flows without phase change or particle-particle collision. Suggestions are made for improving closure modelling of some important correlations.Lecture presented at a workshop on turbulence in particulate multiphase flow, Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratory, Richland, WA, March 22–23, 1993.     

Direct numerical simulation of turbulent flow with evaporating droplets at high temperature

Direct numerical simulation (DNS) is used to investigate turbulent flows with evaporating fuel droplets. For the solution of the carrier gas fluid, the Eulerian method is employed, while for fuel droplets, the Lagrangian method is used. The two-way coupling interactions between the carrier fluid and the fuel droplets are described by the mass, momentum and energy transfers. Direct numerical simulation is performed by a compressible code, named S3D. In this paper, the effects of evaporating and non-evaporating droplets on isotropic turbulent flows are investigated. From the simulations it is found that for the case without evaporation, the inclusion of small droplets suppresses the turbulence, while evaporation usually enhances turbulence at later times for higher mass-loading ratios.     

An unsteady incompressible Navier–Stokes solver for large eddy simulation of turbulent flows

An unsteady incompressible Navier–Stokes solver that uses a dual time stepping method combined with spatially high‐order‐accurate finite differences, is developed for large eddy simulation (LES) of turbulent flows. The present solver uses a primitive variable formulation that is based on the artificial compressibility method and various convergence–acceleration techniques are incorporated to efficiently simulate unsteady flows. A localized dynamic subgrid model, which is formulated using the subgrid kinetic energy, is employed for subgrid turbulence modeling. To evaluate the accuracy and the efficiency of the new solver, a posteriori tests for various turbulent flows are carried out and the resulting turbulence statistics are compared with existing experimental and direct numerical simulation (DNS) data. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Turbulent breaking of overturning gravity waves below a critical level

The interaction of an internal gravity wave with its evolving critical layer and the subsequent generation of turbulence by overturning waves are studied by three-dimensional numerical simulations. The simulation describes the flow of a stably stratified Boussinesq fluid between a bottom wavy surface and a top flat surface, both without friction and adiabatic. The amplitude of the surface wave amounts to about 0.03 of the layer depth. The horizontal flow velocity is negative near the lower surface, positive near the top surface with uniform shear and zero mean value. The bulk Richardson number is one. The flow over the wavy surface induces a standing gravity wave causing a critical layer at mid altitude. After a successful comparison of a two-dimensional version of the model with experimental observations (Thorpe [21]), results obtained with two different models of viscosity are discussed: a direct numerical simulation (DNS) with constant viscosity and a large-eddy simulation (LES) where the subgrid scales are modelled by a stability-dependent first-order closure. Both simulations are similar in the build-up of a primary overturning roll and show the expected early stage of the interaction between wave and critical level. Afterwards, the flows become nonlinear and evolve differently in both cases: the flow structure in the DNS consists of coherent smaller-scale secondary rolls with increasing vertical depth. On the other hand, in the LES the convectively unstable primary roll collapses into three-dimensional turbulence. The results show that convectively overturning regions are always formed but the details of breaking and the resulting structure of the mixed layer depend on the effective Reynolds number of the flow. With sufficient viscous damping, three-dimensional turbulent convective instabilities are more easily suppressed than two-dimensional laminar overturning.     

Linear and nonlinear inversion schemes to retrieve collision kernel values from droplet size distribution change

This study presents an attempt to retrieve collision kernel values from changes in the droplet size distribution due to collision growth. Original linear and nonlinear inversion schemes are presented, which use the simple a priori assumption that the total collision rate is given by the sum of the gravitational and turbulent contributions. Our schemes directly handle binned (discretized) size distributions and, therefore, do not require any assumptions on distribution functional forms, such as the self-similarity assumption. To validate the schemes, three-dimensional direct numerical simulation (DNS) of colliding droplets in steady isotropic turbulence is performed. In the DNS, air turbulence is calculated using a pseudo-spectral method, while droplet motions are tracked by the Lagrangian method. Comparison between the retrieved collision kernels and the collision kernels obtained directly from the DNS show that for low Reynolds number flows both the linear and nonlinear inversion schemes give good accuracy. However, for higher Reynolds number flows the linear inversion scheme gives significantly larger retrieval errors, while the errors for the nonlinear scheme remain small.     

Nusselt number and friction factor in thermally stratified turbulent channel flow under Non-Oberbeck–Boussinesq conditions

In stably stratified turbulence, computations under Oberbeck–Boussinesq (OB) hypothesis of temperature-independent fluid properties may lead to inaccurate representation of the flow field and to wrong estimates of momentum/heat transfer coefficients. This is clearly assessed here comparing direct numerical simulations of stratified turbulence under OB conditions to simulations under NOB (Non-Oberbeck–Boussinesq) conditions of temperature-dependent fluid viscosity and thermal expansion coefficient. Compared to the OB case, NOB conditions may induce local flow relaminarization with significant variations (up to 30%) of heat and momentum transfer coefficients. Together with DNS results, we propose a phenomenological model (based on turbulent bursts) for heat transfer prediction in stratified turbulence under OB and NOB conditions. Implications of NOB assumptions on mixing efficiency (i.e. flux Richardson number Ri_f) and turbulent Prandtl number (Pr_t) are also discussed. These results are of specific importance in RANS modelling, where the condition Pr_t = 1 is usually assumed (Reynolds analogy). Although this assumption is valid in some situations (i.e. boundary layer, pipe flow) there is uncertainty about its validity for stably-stratified turbulence. We demonstrate that this assumption is inaccurate when NOB effects become significant.     

Direct numerical simulation of fluid flow in a 5x5 square rod bundle

Characterization of parallel flow through rod bundles is of key importance in assessing the performance and safety of several engineering systems, including a majority of nuclear reactor concepts. Inhomogeneities in the bundle cross-section can present complex flow phenomena, including varying local conditions of turbulence. With the ever-increasing capabilities of high-performance computing, Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) of turbulent flows is becoming more feasible. Through resolving all scales of turbulence, DNS can serve as a “numerical experiment,” and can provide substantial insight into flow physics, but at considerable computational cost. Thus to date, the DNS in open literature for rod bundle flows is relatively scarce, and largely limited to unit-cell domains. Since wall effects are important in rod bundle flows, a multiple-pin DNS study can expand understanding of rod bundle flows while providing valuable reference data for evaluating reduced-resolution techniques. In this work, DNS of a 5x5 square bare rod bundle representative of typical light water reactor fuel dimensions was performed using the spectral element code Nek5000. Turbulent microscales based on an advanced Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes model were used to establish the required DNS resolution. Velocity and Reynolds stress fields are analyzed in detail, and invariant analysis is used for further investigation into flow physics. The results show stark changes in the structure of turbulence in the edge gaps, suggesting the presence of gap vortices in these regions. In addition, turbulent kinetic energy budgets are presented to more fully illustrate the various turbulent processes. These data can prove useful for rigorous evaluation of lower-fidelity turbulence modeling approaches.     

湍流横掠固定颗粒的全尺度直接数值模拟

气固两相流模拟中,当固相尺度接近或大于Kolmogorov尺度时,普通的点源模型将不再适用,固体相的体积效应和表面效应将对流体相产生显著的影响。通过采用直接数值模拟方法,结合内嵌边界方法对湍流中不同湍流强度流体横掠大于Kolmogorov尺度的固相颗粒进行了全尺度模拟,讨论分析了在两种湍流度下方形颗粒对湍流的调制影响以及颗粒的受力情况。     

Direct Numerical Simulation of Statistically Stationary One- and Two-Phase Turbulent Combustion: A Turbulent Injection Procedure

A new turbulent injection procedure dedicated to fully compressible direct numerical simulation (DNS) or large eddy simulation (LES) solvers is proposed. To avoid the appearance of spurious acoustic waves, this method is based on an accurate tracking of the turbulent structures crossing the boundary at the inlet of the domain. A finite difference DNS solver has been coupled with a spectral simulation in which a statistically stationary homogeneous turbulence evolves to provide fluctuating boundary conditions.A new turbulence forcing method, dedicated to spectral solvers, has been developed as well to control the major properties of the injected flow (turbulent kinetic energy, dissipation rate and integral length scale). One-dimensional Navier–Stokes characteristic boundary conditions extended to non-stationary flows are coupled with the injection procedure to evaluate is potential in four various configurations: spatially decaying turbulence, dispersion of vaporizing sprays, propagation of one- and two-phase V-shape turbulent flames.