Large-Eddy Simulation of a Turbulent Hydrogen Diffusion Flame

In this work a large-eddy simulation (LES) of a turbulent hydrogen jet diffusion flame is presented. The numerical method handles fluctuations of density in space and in time, but assumes density to be independent of pressure (incompressibility). The chemical composition of the fluid is described by solving the filtered transport equation for mixture fraction f. Density, viscosity and temperature are evaluated assuming chemical equilibrium. To account for sub-grid fluctuations of f, its sub-grid distribution is presumed to have the shape of a β-function. The results of the simulation are discussed extensively. The influence of inlet boundary conditions is addressed and radial profiles at different axial positions are shown for a complete set of one-point statistical data. Agreement of numerical results and experimental data is very good. Furthermore, a comparison of Reynolds- and Favre-averages is done and energy spectra at different locations in the flame are discussed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.