Reynolds-Averaged,Scale-Adaptive and Large-Eddy Simulations of Premixed Bluff-Body Combustion Using the Eddy Dissipation Concept

A lean premixed propane/air bluff-body stabilized flame (Volvo test rig) is calculated using the Scale-Adaptive Simulation turbulence model (SAS) and Large-Eddy simulations (LES) as well as the conventional Reynolds-averaged approach (RAS). RAS and SAS are closed by the standard k-?? and the k-ω Shear Stress Transport (SST) turbulence models, respectively. The conventional Smagorinsky and the k-equation sub-grid scales models are used for the LES closure. Effects of the sub-grid scalar flux modeling using the classical gradient hypothesis and Clark’s tensor diffusivity closures both for the inert and reactive LES flows are discussed. The Eddy Dissipation Concept (EDC) is used for the turbulence-chemistry interaction. It assumes that molecular mixing and the subsequent combustion occur in the ’fine structures’ (smaller dissipative eddies, which are close to the Kolmogorov scales). Assuming the full turbulence energy cascade, the characteristic length and velocity scales of the ’fine structures’ are evaluated using different turbulence models (RAS, SAS and LES). The finite-rate chemical kinetics is 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. Several further enhancements to model the PSRs are proposed, including a new Livermore Solver (LSODA) for integrating stiff ODEs and a new correction to calculate the PSR time scales. All models have been implemented as a stand-alone application \(\text {edcPisoFoam}\) based on the OpenFOAM technology. Additionally, several RAS calculations were performed using the Turbulence Flame Speed Closure model in Ansys Fluent to assess effects of the heat losses by modeling the conjugate heat transfer between the bluff-body and the reactive flow. Effects of the turbulence Schmidt number on RAS results are discussed as well. Numerical results are compared with available experimental data. Reasonable consistency between experimental data and numerical results provided by RAS, SAS and LES is observed. In general, there is satisfactory agreement between present LES-EDC simulations, numerical results by other authors and measurements without any major modification to the EDC closure constants, which gives a quite reasonable indication on the adequacy and accuracy of the method and its further application for turbulent premixed combustion simulations.     

Numerical study of oscillating boundary layer flow over a flat plate using k–kL–ω turbulence model

Oscillating boundary layer flow over an infinite flat plate at rest was simulated using the k–k_L–ω turbulence model for a Reynolds number range of 32 ⩽ Re_δ ⩽ 10,000 ranging from fully laminar flow to fully turbulent flow. The k–k_L–ω model was validated by comparing the predictions with LES results and experimental results for intermittently turbulent and fully turbulent flow regimes. The good agreement obtained between the k–k_L–ω model prediction with the experimental and LES results indicate that the k–k_L–ω model is able to accurately simulate transient intermittently turbulent flow and as well as accurately predict the onset of turbulence for such oscillatory flows.     

Numerical simulations of non‐equilibrium turbulent boundary layer flowing over a bump

Large‐eddy simulation (LES) and Reynolds‐averaged Navier–Stokes simulation (RANS) with different turbulence models (including the standard k?ε, the standard k?ω, the shear stress transport k?ω (SST k?ω), and Spalart–Allmaras (S–A) turbulence models) have been employed to compute the turbulent flow of a two‐dimensional turbulent boundary layer over an unswept bump. The predictions of the simulations were compared with available experimental measurements in the literature. The comparisons of the LES and the SST k?ω model including the mean flow and turbulence stresses are in satisfied agreements with the available measurements. Although the flow experiences a strong adverse pressure gradient along the rear surface, the boundary layer is unique in that intermittent detachment occurring near the wall. The numerical results indicate that the boundary layer is not followed by mean‐flow separation or incipient separation as shown from the numerical results. The resolved turbulent shear stress is in a reasonable agreement with the experimental data, though the computational result of LES shows that its peak is overpredicted near the trailing edge of the bump, while the other used turbulence models, except the standard k?ε, underpredicts it. Analysis of the numerical results from LES confirms the experimental data, in which the existence of internal layers over the bump surface upstream of the summit and along the downstream flat plate. It also demonstrates that the quasi‐step increase in skin friction is due to perturbations in pressure gradient. The surface curvature enhances the near‐wall shear production of turbulent stresses, and is responsible for the formation of the internal layers. The aim of the present work is to examine the response and prediction capability of LES with the dynamic eddy viscosity model as a sub‐grid scale to the complex turbulence structure with the presence of streamline curvature generated by a bumpy surface. Aiming to reduce the computational costs with focus on the mean behavior of the non‐equilibrium turbulent boundary layer of flow over the bump surface, the present investigation also explains the best capability of one of the used RANS turbulence models to capture the driving mechanism for the surprisingly rapid return to equilibrium over the trailing flat plate found in the measurements. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Experimental and Theoretical Sensitivity Analysis of Turbulent Flow Past a Square Cylinder

The Siemens SGT-800 3^rd generation DLE burner fitted to an atmospheric combustion rig has been numerically investigated. Pure methane and methane enriched by 80 vol% hydrogen flames have been considered. A URANS (Unsteady Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes) approach was used in this study along with the k ? ω SST and the k ? ω SST-SAS models for the turbulence transport. The chemistry is coupled to the turbulent flow simulations by the use of a laminar flamelet library combined with a presumed PDF. The effect of the mesh density in the mixing and the flame region and the effect of the turbulence model and reaction rate model constant are first investigated for the methane/air flame case. The results from the k ? ω SST-SAS along with flamelet libraries are shown to be in excellent agreement with experimental data, whereas the k ? ω SST model is too dissipative and cannot capture the unsteady motion of the flame. The k ? ω SST-SAS model is used for simulation of the 80 vol% hydrogen enriched flame case without further adjusting the model constants. The global features of the hydrogen enrichment are very well captured in the simulations using the SST-SAS model. With the hydrogen enrichment the time averaged flame front location moves upstream towards the burner exit nozzle. The results are consistent with the experimental observations. The model captures the three dominant low frequency unsteady motion observed in the experiments, indicating that the URANS/LES hybrid model indeed is capable of capturing complex, time dependent, features such as an interaction between a PVC and the flame front.     

Turbulent Couette–Taylor flows with endwall effects: A numerical benchmark

The accurate prediction of fluid flow within rotating systems has a primary role for the reliability and performance of rotating machineries. The selection of a suitable model to account for the effects of turbulence on such complex flows remains an open issue in the literature. This paper reports a numerical benchmark of different approaches available within commercial CFD solvers together with results obtained by means of in-house developed or open-source available research codes exploiting a suitable Reynolds Stress Model (RSM) closure, Large Eddy Simulation (LES) and a direct numerical simulation (DNS). The predictions are compared to the experimental data of Burin et al. (2010) in an original enclosed Couette–Taylor apparatus with endcap rings. The results are discussed in details for both the mean and turbulent fields. A particular attention has been turned to the scaling of the turbulent angular momentum G with the Reynolds number Re. By DNS, G is found to be proportional to Re^α, the exponent α = 1.9 being constant in our case for the whole range of Reynolds numbers. Most of the approaches predict quite well the good trends apart from the k–ω SST model, which provides relatively poor agreement with the experiments even for the mean tangential velocity profile. Among the RANS models, even though no approach appears to be fully satisfactory, the RSM closure offers the best overall agreement.     

Detached eddy simulation of flow around two wall-mounted cubes in tandem

We investigate the performance of unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (URANS) computation and various versions of detached eddy simulation (DES) in resolving coherent structures in turbulent flow around two cubes mounted in tandem on a flat plate at Reynolds number (Re) of 22,000 and for a thin incoming boundary layer. Calculations are carried out using four different coherent structure resolving turbulence models: (1) URANS with the Spalart–Allmaras model; (2) the standard DES [Spalart, P.R., Jou, W.H., Strelets, M., Allmaras, S.R., 1997. Comments on the feasibility of LES for wings, and on a hybrid RANS/LES approach. In: Liu, C., Liu, Z., (Eds.), Advances in DNS/LES. Greyden Press, Columbus, OH]; (3) the Delayed DES (DDES); and (4) the DES with a low-Re modification (DES-LR) [Spalart, P., Deck, S., Shur, M., Squires, K., Strelets, M., Travin, A., 2006. A new version of detached eddy simulation, resistant to ambiguous grid densities. Theor. Comput. Fluid Dyn. 20 (3), 181–195]. The grid sensitivity of the computed solutions is examined by carrying out simulations on two successively refined grids. The computed results for all cases are compared with the experimental measurements of Martinuzzi and Havel [Martinuzzi, R., Havel, B., 2000. Turbulent flow around two interfering surface-mounted cubic obstacles in tandem arrangement. ASME J. Fluids Eng. 122, 24–31] for two different cube spacings. All turbulence models reproduce essentially identical separation of the approach thin boundary layer and yield an unsteady horseshoe vortex system consisting of multiple vortices in the leading edge region of the upstream cube. Significant discrepancies between the URANS and all DES solutions are observed, however, in other regions of interest such as the shear layers emanating from the cubes, the inter-cube gap and the downstream wake. Regardless of the grid refinement, URANS fails to capture key features of the mean flow, including the second horseshoe vortex in the upstream junction and recirculating flow on the top surface of the downstream cube for the large cube spacing, and underestimates significantly turbulence statistics in most regions of the flow for both cases. On the coarse mesh, all three DES approaches appear to yield very similar results and fail to reproduce the second horseshoe vortex. The standard DES and DDES solutions obtained on the fine meshes are essentially identical and both suffer from premature switching to unresolved DNS, due to the mis-interpretation of grid refinement as wall proximity, which leads to spurious vortices in the inter-cube region. Numerical solutions show that the low-Re modification (DES-LR) is critical prerequisite in DES on the ambiguously fine – not fine enough for full LES – mesh to prevent excessive nonlinear drop of the subgrid eddy viscosity in low cell-Re regions like in the inter-obstacle gap. Mean flow quantities and turbulence statistics obtained with DES-LR on the fine mesh are in good overall agreement with the measurements in most regions of interest for both cases.     

Large-Eddy Simulation for an Axisymmetric Piston-Cylinder Assembly With and Without Swirl

Large-eddy simulation (LES) has been performed for an axisymmetric piston-cylinder assembly with and without swirl. For both cases, the LES mean and rms velocity profiles show better agreement with experimental data than profiles obtained using a Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) approach with a standard k???ε turbulence model. The sum of the resolved and modeled contributions to turbulence kinetic energy (TKE) approaches grid independence for the meshes used in this study. The sensitivity of LES to key numerical and physical model parameters has been investigated. Results are especially sensitive to mesh and to the subfilter-scale (SFS) turbulence models. Satisfactory results can be obtained using simple viscosity-based SFS turbulence models, although there is room for improvement. No single model gives uniformly best agreement between model and measurements at all spatial locations and at all times. The strong sensitivity of computed mean and rms velocity profiles to variations in the SFS turbulence model suggests that better results might be obtained using more sophisticated models.     

Hybrid RANS/LES computations of plane impinging jets with DES and PANS models

The qualities of a DES (Detached Eddy Simulation) and a PANS (Partially-Averaged Navier–Stokes) hybrid RANS/LES model, both based on the k–ω RANS turbulence model of Wilcox (2008, “Formulation of the k–ω turbulence model revisited” AIAA J., 46: 2823–2838), are analysed for simulation of plane impinging jets at a high nozzle-plate distance (H/B = 10, Re = 13,500; H is nozzle-plate distance, B is slot width; Reynolds number based on slot width and maximum velocity at nozzle exit) and a low nozzle-plate distance (H/B = 4, Re = 20,000). The mean velocity field, fluctuating velocity components, Reynolds stresses and skin friction at the impingement plate are compared with experimental data and LES (Large Eddy Simulation) results. The k–ω DES model is a double substitution type, following Davidson and Peng (2003, “Hybrid LES–RANS modelling: a one-equation SGS model combined with a k–ω model for predicting recirculating flows” Int. J. Numer. Meth. Fluids, 43: 1003–1018). This means that the turbulent length scale is replaced by the grid size in the destruction term of the k-equation and in the eddy viscosity formula. The k–ω PANS model is derived following Girimaji (2006, “Partially-Averaged Navier–Stokes model for turbulence: a Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes to Direct Numerical Simulation bridging method” J. Appl. Mech., 73: 413–421). The turbulent length scale in the PANS model is constructed from the total turbulent kinetic energy and the sub-filter dissipation rate. Both hybrid models change between RANS (Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes) and LES based on the cube root of the cell volume. The hybrid techniques, in contrast to RANS, are able to reproduce the turbulent flow dynamics in the shear layers of the impacting jet. The change from RANS to LES is much slower however for the PANS model than for the DES model on fine enough grids. This delays the break-up process of the vortices generated in the shear layers with as a consequence that the DES model produces better results than the PANS model.     

Computational and experimental analysis of supersonic air ejector: Turbulence modeling and assessment of 3D effects

Numerical and experimental analyses are performed on a supersonic air ejector to evaluate the effectiveness of commonly-used computational techniques when predicting ejector flow characteristics. Three series of experimental curves at different operating conditions are compared with 2D and 3D simulations using RANS, steady, wall-resolved models. Four different turbulence models are tested: k–ε, k–ε realizable, k–ω SST, and the stress–ω Reynolds Stress Model. An extensive analysis is performed to interpret the differences between numerical and experimental results. The results show that while differences between turbulence models are typically small with respect to the prediction of global parameters such as ejector inlet mass flow rates and Mass Entrainment Ratio (MER), the k–ω SST model generally performs best whereas ε-based models are more accurate at low motive pressures. Good agreement is found across all 2D and 3D models at on-design conditions. However, prediction at off-design conditions is only acceptable with 3D models, making 3D simulations mandatory to correctly predict the critical pressure and achieve reasonable results at off-design conditions. This may partly depend on the specific geometry under consideration, which in the present study has a rectangular cross section with low aspect ratio.     

基于卡门尺度和滤波方法的SST方程改进

基于滤波方法和卡门尺度对原始剪切应力输运(shear stress transport, SST)湍流模型进行了改进,提出了一种卡门尺度修正的滤波SST 方法. 湍流多尺度效应必须在分离流场模拟中给予反映,该方法减弱了雷诺平均(Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes, RANS)方法时间平均特性对于流场脉动量的压迫作用,在流场中引入了大涡模拟(large eddy simulation, LES)方法的亚格子模型,形成一种新型的脱体涡模拟方法(detached eddy simulation,DES)方法;同时,为了降低原始DES方法在网格加密过程中产生网格诱发的雷诺应力损耗,利用卡门尺度对滤波因子进行修正. 平板边界层算例中,卡门尺度对于RANS方法的跟随性远远强于DES方法,在边界层内的速度型和RANS方法吻合很好,而DES方法在加密过程中速度型的鲁棒性较差,说明卡门尺度在有效地保护了边界层内使用RANS求解,降低速度型偏离对数率现象的产生;HGR-01翼型算例证明BY-SST方法可以有效的避免网格诱导分离现象的产生;证明BY-SST方法在分离流动中的精度高于DES方法.     

A New Version of Detached-eddy Simulation, Resistant to Ambiguous Grid Densities

Detached-eddy simulation (DES) is well understood in thin boundary layers, with the turbulence model in its Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) mode and flattened grid cells, and in regions of massive separation, with the turbulence model in its large-eddy simulation (LES) mode and grid cells close to isotropic. However its initial formulation, denoted DES97 from here on, can exhibit an incorrect behavior in thick boundary layers and shallow separation regions. This behavior begins when the grid spacing parallel to the wall Δ_∥ becomes less than the boundary-layer thickness δ, either through grid refinement or boundary-layer thickening. The grid spacing is then fine enough for the DES length scale to follow the LES branch (and therefore lower the eddy viscosity below the RANS level), but resolved Reynolds stresses deriving from velocity fluctuations (“LES content”) have not replaced the modeled Reynolds stresses. LES content may be lacking because the resolution is not fine enough to fully support it, and/or because of delays in its generation by instabilities. The depleted stresses reduce the skin friction, which can lead to premature separation.For some research studies in small domains, Δ_∥ is made much smaller than δ, and LES content is generated intentionally. However for natural DES applications in useful domains, it is preferable to over-ride the DES limiter and maintain RANS behavior in boundary layers, independent of Δ_∥ relative to δ. For this purpose, a new version of the technique – referred to as DDES, for Delayed DES – is presented which is based on a simple modification to DES97, similar to one proposed by Menter and Kuntz for the shear–stress transport (SST) model, but applicable to other models. Tests in boundary layers, on a single and a multi-element airfoil, a cylinder, and a backward-facing step demonstrate that RANS function is indeed maintained in thick boundary layers, without preventing LES function after massive separation. The new formulation better fulfills the intent of DES. Two other issues are discussed: the use of DES as a wall model in LES of attached flows, in which the known log-layer mismatch is not resolved by DDES; and a correction that is helpful at low cell Reynolds numbers.     

Superiority of PANS compared to LES in predicting a rudimentary landing gear flow with affordable meshes

Results of simulations of the flow around a rudimentary landing gear are presented in the paper. A newly proposed improved Partially-Averaged Navier–Stokes (PANS) method using k − ε − ζ − f turbulence model is used for prediction of the flow. The results are compared with the experimental data but also with the results of two LES simulations performed using the PANS computational grids. PANS simulations predicted the flow in good agreement with the experimental data. LES predicted a non-physical creation of separation over the front wheels that does not exist in the PANS prediction and was not observed in the experimental oil film. PANS simulations showed low sensitivity to the grid refinement. They show clear advantage compared with the LES simulations when the computational grid is inadequate for resolution of the near-wall flow structures.     

Application of the γ-Reθ Transition Model to Simulations of the Flow Past a Circular Cylinder

Based on the finite volume method, the flow past a two-dimensional circular cylinder at a critical Reynolds number (Re = 8.5 × 10⁵) was simulated using the Navier-Stokes equations and the γ-Re_θ transition model coupled with the SST k ? ω turbulence model (hereinafter abbreviated as γ-Re_θ model). Considering the effect of free-stream turbulence intensity decay, the SST k ? ω turbulence model was modified according to the ambient source term method proposed by Spalart and Rumsey, and then the modified SST k ? ω turbulence model is coupled with the γ-Re_θ transition model (hereinafter abbreviated as γ-Re_θ-SR model). The flow past a circular cylinder at different inlet turbulence intensities were simulated by the γ-Re_θ-SR model. At last, the flow past a circular cylinder at subcritical, critical and supercritical Reynolds numbers were each simulated by the γ-Re_θ-SR model, and the three flow states were analyzed. It was found that compared with the SST k ? ω turbulence model, the γ-Re_θ model could simulate the transition of laminar to turbulent, resulting in better consistency with experimental result. Compared with the γ-Re_θ model, for relatively high inlet turbulence intensities, the γ-Re_θ-SR model could better simulate the flow past a circular cylinder; however the improvement almost diminished for relatively low inlet turbulence intensities The γ-Re_θ-SR model could well simulate the flow past a circular cylinder at subcritical, critical and supercritical Reynolds numbers.     

Combining the SSG/LRR-<Emphasis Type="Italic">ω</Emphasis> differential reynolds stress model with the detached eddy and laminar-turbulent transition models

The procedure of incorporating the detached eddy method and a model of laminar-turbulent transition into the SSG/LRR-ω turbulence model is presented. The approach proposed can be regarded as the generalization of the existing models intended to perform calculations with the SST turbulence model to the case of their use with the SSG/LRR-ω model. The advantage of the approach developed over the RANS turbulence models based on the Boussinesq hypothesis is demonstrated with respect to the problems of flow past an airfoil and cold jet outflow.     

A computational fluid dynamics study by conjugate heat transfer in OpenFOAM: A liquid cooling concept for high power electronics

A conjugate heat transfer (CHT) study of a liquid cooling heat exchanger is carried out using the open source computational fluid dynamics (CFD) library OpenFOAM. The heat exchanger was 3D printed using aluminium and experimentally verified by temperature probing and thermal imaging. The functionality of the heat exchanger in cooling localized heat sources is demonstrated. Three different turbulence models were utilized including k-$\omega$ shear stress transport (SST) model, the standard k-$\epsilon$ model and large-eddy simulation (LES). The numerical results indicate that the k-$\omega$ SST and LES models produced similar results in terms of flow structures and temperature levels while the k-$\epsilon$ model deviated from the two other models. The scalability of the heat exchanger was numerically demonstrated by comparing the flow uniformity by varying the inlet Reynolds number between 4960 and 14880. The conclusions of the paper consists of the following main results. (1) The numerical results indicate that the flow uniformity in the channels is noted to be affected by the flow structures before and after the fin system. (2) The simulated hot-spot temperatures were noted to be relatively sensitive to the predicted flow laminarization inside the channels. (3) The heat exchanger was shown to be functional and to maintain cool surface temperatures in the simulations and the experiments. Additionally, the used CHT solver in OpenFOAM is tested and verified in different ways.     

Large-eddy simulation of transitional flows using a co-located grid

A large-eddy simulation (LES) of a transitional separated flow over a plate with a semi-circular leading at low (<0.2%) and high (5.6%) free-stream turbulence (FST) has been performed, using a co-located grid with the Rhie–Chow pressure smoothing. A numerical trip is used to produce a high FST level and a dynamic subgrid-scale model is also employed in the current study. The entire transition process leading to breakdown to turbulence has been shown clearly by the flow visualisations using instantaneous spanwise vorticities, and the differences between the low- and high-FST cases are clearly visible. Coherent structures are also visualised using isosurfaces of the Q-criterion, and for the high-FST case, the spanwise-oriented quasi-two-dimensional rolls, which are clearly present in the low-FST case, are not visible anymore. Detailed quantitative comparisons between the present LES results and experimental data and the previous LES results at low FST using a staggered grid have been done and a good agreement has been obtained, indicating that the current LES using a co-located grid with pressure smoothing can also predict transitional flows accurately.     

Implicit LES of free and wall‐bounded turbulent flows based on the discontinuous Galerkin/symmetric interior penalty method

This paper presents the second validation step of a compressible discontinuous Galerkin solver with symmetric interior penalty (DGM/SIP) for the direct numerical simulation (DNS) and the large eddy simulation (LES) of complex flows. The method has already been successfully validated for DNS of an academic flow and has been applied to flows around complex geometries (e.g. airfoils and turbomachinery blades). During these studies, the advantages of the dissipation properties of the method have been highlighted, showing a natural tendency to dissipate only the under‐resolved scales (i.e the smallest scales present on the mesh), leaving the larger scales unaffected. This phenomenon is further enhanced as the polynomial order is increased. Indeed, the order increases the dissipation at the largest wave numbers, while its range of impact is reduced. These properties are spectrally compatible with a subgrid‐scale model, and hence DGM may be well suited to be used for an implicit LES (ILES) approach. A validation of this DGM/ILES approach is here investigated on canonical flows, allowing to study the impact of the discretisation on the turbulence for under‐resolved computations. The first test case is the LES of decaying homogeneous isotropic turbulence (HIT) at very high Reynolds number. This benchmark allows to assess the spectral behaviour of the method for implicit LES. The results are in agreement with theory and are even slightly more accurate than other numerical results from literature, obtained using a pseudo‐spectral (PS) method with a state‐of‐the‐art subgrid‐scale model. The second benchmark is the LES of the channel flow. Three Reynolds numbers are considered: Re_τ=395, 590 and 950. The results are compared with DNS of Moser et al. and Hoyas et al., also using PS methods. Both averaged velocity and fluctuations are globally in good agreement with the reference, showing the ability of the method to predict equilibrium wall‐bounded flow turbulence. To show that the method is able to perform accurate DNS, a DNS of HIT at Re_λ=64 and a DNS of the channel flow at Re_τ=180 are also performed. The effects of the grid refinement are investigated on the channel flow at Re_τ=395, highlighting the improvement of the results when refining the mesh in the spanwise direction. Finally, the modification of the ILES parameters, that is the Riemann solver and of the SIP coefficient, is studied on both cases, showing a significant influence on the choice of the Riemann solver. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Reliability Issues of LES-Related Approaches in an Industrial Context

Large-Eddy Simulation (LES), Detached-Eddy Simulation (DES) and Scale-Adaptive Simulation (SAS) are increasingly being used as engineering tools to predict the behaviour of complex industrial flows. Often the flows studied have not been examined previously and the required grid resolution is unknown. Industrial users studying these flows tend to be using commercial CFD codes and do not usually have access to high-performance computing facilities. Due to the significant computing times required, it is difficult to undertake systematic grid-dependence studies. There is therefore a risk that LES, DES and SAS will be performed using overly coarse grids which may lead to unreliable predictions. The present work surveys a number of practical techniques that provide a means of assessing the quality of the grid resolution in large-eddy simulations and related approaches. To examine the usefulness of these techniques, a gas release in a ventilated room is examined using DES and SAS. The grid resolution measures indicate that overall the grids used are relatively coarse. Both DES and SAS model predictions are found to be in poor agreement with experimental data compared to steady and unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) results using the SST model. The SAS model also shows the greatest grid sensitivity of the four models tested. The work highlights the need for grid-dependence studies and the potential problems of using coarse grids.     

Surface‐sampled simulations of turbulent flow at high Reynolds number

A new approach to turbulence simulation, based on a combination of large eddy simulation (LES) for the whole flow and an array of non–space‐filling quasi‐direct numerical simulations (QDNS), which sample the response of near‐wall turbulence to large‐scale forcing, is proposed and evaluated. The technique overcomes some of the cost limitations of turbulence simulation, since the main flow is treated with a coarse‐grid LES, with the equivalent of wall functions supplied by the near‐wall sampled QDNS. Two cases are tested, at friction Reynolds number Re_τ=4200 and 20000. The total grid point count for the first case is less than half a million and less than 2 million for the second case, with the calculations only requiring a desktop computer. A good agreement with published direct numerical simulation (DNS) is found at Re_τ=4200, both in the mean velocity profile and the streamwise velocity fluctuation statistics, which correctly show a substantial increase in near‐wall turbulence levels due to a modulation of near‐wall streaks by large‐scale structures. The trend continues at Re_τ=20000, in agreement with experiment, which represents one of the major achievements of the new approach. A number of detailed aspects of the model, including numerical resolution, LES‐QDNS coupling strategy and subgrid model are explored. A low level of grid sensitivity is demonstrated for both the QDNS and LES aspects. Since the method does not assume a law of the wall, it can in principle be applied to flows that are out of equilibrium.     

Hybrid RANS/LES of flow and heat transfer in round impinging jets

Fluid flow and convective heat transfer predictions are presented of round impinging jets for several combinations of nozzle-plate distances H/D = 2, 6 and 13.5 (where D is the nozzle diameter) and Reynolds numbers Re = 5000, 23,000 and 70,000 with the newest version of the k-ω model of Wilcox (2008) and three hybrid RANS/LES models. In the RANS mode of the hybrid RANS/LES models, the k-ω model is recovered. Three formulations are considered to activate the LES mode. The first model is similar to the hybrid models of Davidson and Peng (2003) and Kok et al. (2004). The turbulent length scale is replaced by the grid size in the destruction term of the k-equation and in the definition of the RANS eddy viscosity. As grid size, a maximum measure of the hexahedral grid cell is used. The second model has the same k-equation, but the eddy viscosity is the minimum of the k-ω eddy viscosity and the Smagorinsky eddy viscosity, following a proposal by Batten et al. (2004). The Smagorinsky eddy viscosity is formed with the cube root of the cell volume. The third model has, again, the same k-equation, but has an eddy viscosity which is an intermediate between the eddy viscosities of the first and second models. This is reached by using the cube root of the cell volume in the eddy viscosity formula of the first model.The simulation results are compared with experimental data for the high Reynolds number cases Re = 23,000 and Re = 70,000 and LES data for the low-Reynolds number case Re = 5000. The Reynolds numbers are defined with the nozzle diameter and the bulk velocity at nozzle outlet. At low nozzle-plate distance (the impingement plate is in the core of the jet), turbulent kinetic energy is overpredicted by RANS in the stagnation flow region. This leads to overprediction of the heat transfer rate along the impingement plate in the impact zone. At high nozzle-plate distance (the impingement plate is in the mixed-out region of the jet), the turbulence mixing is underpredicted by RANS in the shear layer of the jet which gives a too high length of the jet core. This also results in overprediction of the heat transfer rate in the impingement zone caused by too big temperature gradients at impingement.All hybrid RANS/LES models are able to correct the heat transfer overprediction of the RANS model. For good predictions at low nozzle-plate distance, it is necessary to sufficiently resolve the formation and development of the near-wall vortices in the jet impingement region. At high nozzle-plate distance, the essence is to capture the evolution and breakup of the flow unsteadiness in the shear layer of the jet, so that accurate mean and fluctuating velocity profiles are obtained in the impingement region. Although the models have a quite different theoretical justification and generate a quite different eddy viscosity in some flow regions, their overall results are very comparable. The reason is that in zones that are crucial for the results, the models behave similarly.