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.     

Passive Scalar in a Turbulent Channel Flow with Wall Velocity Disturbances

Direct Numerical Simulations (DNS) of a passive scalar in a turbulent channel flow with a normal velocity disturbance on the lower wall are presented for high and low Reynolds numbers. The aim is to reproduce the complex physics of turbulent rough flows without dealing with the geometric complexity. In addition, isothermal walls that cannot be easily assigned in an experiment, are considered. The paper explains the increase of heat transfer through the changes of the velocity and thermal structures. As in real rough flows, the transpiration produces an isotropization of the turbulence near the wall.     

Turbulent particle dispersion in arbitrary wall-bounded geometries: A coupled CFD-Langevin-equation based approach

A Lagrangian continuous random walk (CRW) model is developed to predict turbulent particle dispersion in arbitrary wall-bounded flows with prevailing anisotropic, inhomogeneous turbulence. The particle tracking model uses 3D mean flow data obtained from the Fluent CFD code, as well as Eulerian statistics of instantaneous quantities computed from DNS databases. The turbulent fluid velocities at the current time step are related to those of the previous time step through a Markov chain based on the normalized Langevin equation which takes into account turbulence inhomogeneities. The model includes a drift velocity correction that considerably reduces unphysical features common in random walk models. It is shown that the model satisfies the well-mixed criterion such that tracer particles retain approximately uniform concentrations when introduced uniformly in the domain, while their deposition velocity is vanishingly small, as it should be. To handle arbitrary geometries, it is assumed that the velocity rms values in the boundary layer can locally be approximated by the DNS data of fully developed channel flows. Benchmarks of the model are performed against particle deposition data in turbulent pipe flows, 90° bends, as well as more complex 3D flows inside a mouth-throat geometry. Good agreement with the data is obtained across the range of particle inertia.     

Direct numerical simulation of a freely decaying turbulent interfacial flow

Whereas Large Eddy Simulation (LES) of single-phase flows is already widely used in the CFD world, even for industrial applications, LES of two-phase interfacial flows, i.e. two-phase flows where an interface separates liquid and gas phases, still remains a challenging task. The main issue is the development of subgrid scale models well suited for two-phase interfacial flows. The aim of this work is to generate a detailed data base from direct numerical simulation (DNS) of two-phase interfacial flows in order to clearly understand interactions between small turbulent scales and the interface separating the two phases. This work is a first contribution in the study of the interface/turbulence interaction in the configuration where the interface is widely deformed and where both phases are resolved by DNS. To do this, the interaction between an initially plane interface and a freely decaying homogeneous isotropic turbulence (HIT) is studied. The densities and viscosities are the same for both phases in order to focus on the effect of the surface tension coefficient. Comparisons with existing theories built on wall-bounded or free-surface turbulence are carried out. To understand energy transfers between the interfacial energy and the turbulent one, PDFs of the droplet sizes distribution are calculated. An energy budget is carried out and turbulent statistics are performed including the distance to the interface as a parameter. A spectral analysis is achieved to highlight the energy transfer between turbulent scales of different sizes. The originality of this work is the study of the interface/turbulence interactions in the case of a widely deformed interface evolving in a turbulent flow.     

Non-equilibrium turbulent phenomena in the ?ow over a backward-facing ramp

Non-equilibrium turbulence phenomena have raised great interests in recent years. Significant efforts have been devoted to non-equilibrium turbulence properties in canonical flows, e.g., grid turbulence, turbulent wakes, and homogeneous isotropic turbulence(HIT). The non-equilibrium turbulence in non-canonical flows, however, has rarely been studied due to the complexity of the flows. In the present contribution, a directnumerical simulation(DNS) database of a turbulent flow is analyzed over a backwardfacing ramp, the flow near the boundary is demonstrated, and the non-equilibrium turbulent properties of the flow in the wake of the ramp are presented by using the characteristic parameters such as the dissipation coefficient C and the skewness of longitudinal velocity gradient Sk, but with opposite underlying turbulent energy transfer properties. The equation of Lagrangian velocity gradient correlation is examined, and the results show that non-equilibrium turbulence is the result of phase de-coherence phenomena, which is not taken into account in the modeling of non-equilibrium turbulence. These findings are expected to inspire deeper investigation of different non-equilibrium turbulence phenomena in different flow conditions and the improvement of turbulence modeling.     

无壁面参数低雷诺数非线性涡黏性模式研究

建立了一个低雷诺数的非线性涡黏性湍流模式,该模式的一个显著特性是它不包含壁面参数（如y^ ,n等）,因而特别适用于复杂几何流场的计算,本模式在几种包括回流、分离、激波等典型流动中进行了验证,结果令人满意。     

Examination of wall damping for the k-ε turbulence model using direct simulations of turbulent channel flow

Handler, Hendricks and Leighton have recently reported results for the direct numerical simulation (DNS) of a turbulent channel flow at moderate Reynolds number. These data are used to evaluate the terms in the exact and modelled transport equations for the turbulence kinetic energy k and the isotropic dissipation function ε. Both modelled transport equations show significant imbalances in the high-shear region near the channel walls. The model for the eddy viscosity is found to yield distributions for the production terms which do not agree well with the distributions calculated from the DNS data. The source of the imbalance is attributed to the wall-damping function required in eddy viscosity models for turbulent flows near walls. Several models for the damping function are examined, and it is found that the models do not vary across the channel as does the damping when evaluated from the DNS data. The Lam-Bremhorst model and the standard van Driest model are found to give reasonable agreement with the DNS data. Modification of the van Driest model to include an effective origin yields very good agreement between the modelled production and the production calculated from the DNS data, and the imbalance in the modelled transport equations is significantly reduced.     

可压缩均匀剪切湍流的二阶矩模拟

基于对可压缩湍流中脉动压力场和脉动速度场特征的理论分析以及ＤＮＳ结果,建立了可均匀剪切湍流中压力－变形率关联的压缩性修正模式,应用这个模式,加上Ｓａｒｋａｒ等建立的脉动体胀率项（ｄｉｌａｔａｔｉｏｎａｌ ｔｅｒｍｓ）的模式,预测可压缩均匀剪切湍流随时间的发展,所得雷诺应力各是性张量的平衡值与Ｂｌａｉｓｄｅｌｌ等的ＤＮＳ数据非常一致。这个模式准确地预测出均匀剪切湍流中压缩性导致的雷诺应力结构的“流向     

Prediction of turbulent wall shear flows directly from wall

The fully elliptic Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations have been used together with Lam and Bremhorst's low-Reynolds-number model, Chen and Patel's two-layer model and a two-point wall function method incorporated into the standard k-? model to predict channel flows and a backward-facig step flow. These flows enable the evaluation of the performance of different near-wall treatments in flows involving streamwise and normal pressure gradients, flows with separation and flows with non-equilibrium turbulence characteristics. Direct numerical simulation (DNS) of a channel flow with Re =3200 further provides the detailed budgets of each modelling term of the k and ?-transport equations. Comparison of model results with DNS data to evaluate the performance of each modelling term is also made in the present study. It is concluded that the low-Reynolds-number model has wider applicability and performs better than the two-layer model and wall function approaches. Comparison with DNS data further shows that large discrepancies exist between the DNS budgets and the modelled production and destruction terms of the ? equation. However, for simple channel flow the discrepancies are similar in magnitude but opposite in sign, so they are cancelled by each other. This may explain why, even when employing such an inaccurately modelled ?-equation, one can still predict satisfactorily some simple turbulent flows.     

Spectral structure of stratified turbulence: direct numerical simulations and predictions by large eddy simulation

Density stratification has a strong impact on turbulence in geophysical flows. Stratification changes the spatial turbulence spectrum and the energy transport and conversion within the spectrum. We analyze these effects based on a series of direct numerical simulations (DNS) of stratified turbulence. To facilitate simulations of real-world problems, which are usually beyond the reach of DNS, we propose a subgrid-scale turbulence model for large eddy simulations of stratified flows based on the Adaptive Local Deconvolution Method (ALDM). Flow spectra and integral quantities predicted by ALDM are in excellent agreement with direct numerical simulation. ALDM automatically adapts to strongly anisotropic turbulence and is thus a suitable tool for studying turbulent flow phenomena in atmosphere and ocean.     

Compressibility effects due to turbulent fluctuations

This paper deals with intrinsic effects of compressibility, i.e. with dilatation fluctuations in response to pressure fluctuations. Three different types of turbulent flows are considered in more detail: homogeneous turbulent shear flow, wall-bounded turbulent shear flow and shock/turbulence interaction. A survey of the present knowledge in this field, mainly based on DNS data, is given. Using the linear inviscid perturbation equations a direct link between fluctuations of dilatation and of velocity in the direction of mean shear is presented for homogeneous shear flow. This relation might form the basis for a more universal pressure-dilatation model. It is conjectured that the insignificance of intrinsic compressibility effects in wall-bounded supersonic shear flow is mainly due to the impermeability constraint of the wall. To this end, a linear stability analysis of supersonic channel flow along cooled, but permeable walls has been performed based on Coleman et al.'s [5] mean flow data. It shows an increase in the moduli of eigenfunctions related to compressibility, like pressure, and in moduli of quantities derived from eigenfunctions such as ‘pressure dilatation’ and squared dilatation. Although these results do not prove our hypothesis they provide hints in this direction. Shock/turbulence interaction is viewed as a source of compressibility. Former DNS data of Hannappel and Friedrich [10] for shock/isotropic turbulence interaction showing the effect of compressibility on the amplification of fluctuations are interpreted based on linear perturbation equations.     

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     

Invariant analysis of the Reynolds stress tensor for a nuclear fuel assembly with spacer grid and split type vanes

Invariant analysis of the Reynolds stress tensor anisotropy can give an accurate and deep intuitive understanding of the turbulent structure of a turbulent flow. Lumley's triangle has proven to be a powerful representation of the invariant analysis of the second-order statistics collection provided by the Reynolds stress tensor. In the present work the spectral element code Nek5000 has been used to investigate the turbulent structure of the flow across a pressurized water reactor spacer grid with split type mixing vanes. Wall-resolved large eddy simulation of the flow in a prototypical rod bundle geometry at Re = 14,000 and P/D = 1.32 are performed and validated against particle image velocimetry data. The results are then used to perform an in-depth invariant analysis. The results show a reorganization of the Reynolds stresses components in the downstream region of the spacer grid. The mixing vanes orientation produces a symmetric behavior between sub-channels. The turbulent structure in the fully developed region has the typical behavior of fully-developed channel flow turbulence. When averaging the state across regions of the sub-channels, we observed a transition from disk-like turbulence in the mixing vanes region to rod-like turbulence in the fully developed region.     

Incompact3d: A powerful tool to tackle turbulence problems with up to O(105) computational cores

Understanding the nature of complex turbulent flows remains one of the most challenging problems in classical physics. Significant progress has been made recently using high performance computing, and computational fluid dynamics is now a credible alternative to experiments and theories in order to understand the rich physics of turbulence. In this paper, we present an efficient numerical tool called Incompact3d that can be coupled with massive parallel platforms in order to simulate turbulence problems with as much complexity as possible, using up to O(10⁵) computational cores by means of direct numerical simulation (DNS). DNS is the simplest approach conceptually to investigate turbulence, featuring the highest temporal and spatial accuracy and it requires extraordinary powerful resources. This paper is an extension of Laizet et al.(Comput. Fluids 2010; 39 (3):471–484) where the authors proposed a strategy to run DNS with up to 1024 computational cores. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Spectral-based simulations of particle-laden turbulent flows

In this paper, we discuss the application of spectral-based methods to simulation of particle-laden turbulent flows. The primary focus of the article is on the past and ongoing works by the authors. The particles are tracked in Lagrangian framework, while direct numerical simulation (DNS) or large-eddy simulation (LES) is used to describe the carrier-phase flow field. Two different spectral methods are considered, namely Fourier pseudo-spectral method and Chebyshev multidomain spectral method. The pseudo-spectral method is used for the simulation of homogeneous turbulence. DNS of both incompressible and compressible flows with one- and two-way couplings are reported. For LES of particle-laden flows, two new models, developed by the authors, account for the effect of sub-grid fluctuations on the dispersed phase. The Chebyshev multidomain method is employed for the works on inhomogeneous flows. A number of canonical flows are discussed, including flow past a square cylinder, channel flow and flow over backward-facing step. Ongoing research on particle-laden LES of inhomogeneous flows is briefly reported.     

基于直接数值模拟的可压缩湍流模型评估和改进

对来流Mach数2.25和6的平板边界层湍流进行了直接数值模拟, 并通过与理论、实验及他人计算结果的对比对数值结果进行了验证. 基于直接数值模拟得到的湍流数据库, 对常用的湍流模型进行了先验评估. 评估的湍流模型有k-εvarepsilon模型(包括标准k-εvarepsilon 模型、可实现的k-εvarepsilon模型及低Reynolds数k-εvarepsilon模型)、SA模型及BL模型. 结果显示, 对于Mach2.25的平板边界层, 可实现的k-εvarepsilon 模型及低Reynolds 数k-εvarepsilon模型具有较好的预测能力, 而标准k-εvarepsilon模型预测的湍流黏性系数偏高; SA模型在边界层内层预测准确度较高, 而在外层预测值偏高. 而对于Mach6的平板边界层, k-εvarepsilon模型及SA模型预测的湍流黏性系数均偏高, 尤其是标准k-εvarepsilon模型. 对于Mach6的平板边界层, BL模型低估了内-外层交界位置, 造成湍流黏性系数预测值严重偏低. 作者通过修改模型系数及内-外层交界位置对BL模型进行了修改, 修改后模型预测的湍流黏性系数与DNS给出的值吻合较好.     

A method to estimate turbulence intensity and transverse Taylor microscale in turbulent flows from spatially averaged hot-wire data

A new approach to evaluate turbulence intensity and transverse Taylor microscale in turbulent flows is presented. The method is based on a correction scheme that compensates for probe resolution effects and is applied by combining the response of two single hot-wire sensors with different wire lengths. Even though the technique, when compared to other correction schemes, requires two independent measurements, it provides, for the same data, an estimate of the spanwise Taylor microscale. The method is here applied to streamwise turbulence intensity distributions of turbulent boundary layer flows but it is applicable generally in any turbulent flow. The technique has been firstly validated against spatially averaged DNS data of a zero pressure-gradient turbulent boundary layer showing a good capacity to reconstruct the actual profiles and to predict a qualitatively correct and quantitatively agreeing transverse Taylor microscale over the entire height of the boundary layer. Finally, the proposed method has been applied to available higher Reynolds number data from recent boundary layer experiments where an estimation of the turbulence intensity and of the Taylor microscale has been performed.     

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.     

DNS of Fractal-Generated Turbulence

An innovative approach which combines high order compact schemes, Immersed Boundary Method and an efficient domain decomposition method is used to perform high fidelity Direct Numerical Simulations (DNS) of four spatially evolving turbulent flows, one generated by a regular grid and three generated by fractal square grids. The main results which we have been able to obtain from these simulations are the following: the vorticity field appears more clustered when generated by fractal square grids compared to a regular grid; fractal square grids generate higher vorticities and turbulence intensities than a regular grid; the flow holds clear geometrical imprints of the fractal grids far downstream, a property which could be used in the future for flow design, management and passive control; the DNS obtained with fractal grids confirmed the existence of two turbulent regions, one where the turbulence progressively amplifies closer to the grid (the production region) followed by one where the turbulence decays; the energy spectra of fluctuating turbulent velocities at various locations in the production region of the flow provide some information on how the turbulence is generated at the smallest scales first near the grid where the smallest wakes are dominant, followed by progressively smaller turbulent frequencies further downstream where progressively larger wakes interact.     

Direct Numerical Simulation of Transitional Turbulent Flow in a Closed Rotor-Stator Cavity

The transitional turbulent regime in confined flow between a rotating and a stationary disc is studied using direct numerical simulation. Besides its fundamental importance as a three-dimensional prototype flow, such flows frequently arise in many industrial devices, especially in turbomachinary applications. The present contribution extends the DNS simulation into the turbulent flow regime, to a rotational Reynolds number Re =3 × 10⁵. An annular rotor-stator cavity of radial extension ΔR and height H, is considered with L = 4.72(L = ΔR/H) and Rm = 2.33 (Rm = (R ₁+ R ₀)/ΔR). The direct numerical simulation is performed by integrating the time-dependent Navier–Stokes equations until a statistically steady state is reached. A three-dimensional spectral method is used with the aim of providing both very accurate instantaneous fields and reliable statistical data. The instantaneous quantities are analysed in order to enhance our knowledge of the physics of turbulent rotating flows. Also, the results have been averaged so as to provide target turbulence data for any subsequent modelling attempts at reproducing the flow. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.