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Homogenization Based LES for Turbulent Combustion

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Abstract

In this work we propose a novel methodology for performing Large Eddy Simulations (LES) of premixed, non-premixed and partially premixed laminar and turbulent flames. The motivation behind this study is the need for more accurate and flexible LES computations of increasingly complex engineering applications, for which current LES models are limited. The main drawback of present LES methods for reactive flows is that most of the chemical activity, and thus also most of the exothermicity, occurs on the subgrid scales, and is hence subject to modeling using only information about the resolved scale flow. Reasonable results have been achieved in several studies with present LES models but improved accuracy, flexibility and reliability is needed. Here, we use a homogenization-based approach based on a multi-scale expansion technique to convert the reactive Navier–Stokes equations, with finite rate chemistry, into a cascade of equations for different scales. The equations of motion for the large-scale dependent variable dynamics are explicitly simulated, whereas the equations of motion for the small-scale dependent variable dynamics are simplified by reducing the spatial dimensions from three to one, thus permitting affordable simulations in a grid within the grid approach. Presently, the methodology is limited to low Ma number variable density flows, but can be extended to high Ma number reactive flows. This method has some similarities with the LES–LEM and the TLS models of Menon et al., but differs in some important aspects. The model developed is here applied to a bluff-body stabilized flame and comparisons with both experimental data and conventional flamelet and finite rate chemistry LES models are made. The results show that the performance of this model is as good or better than any of the other models, and to a reasonable computational cost.

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  1. Defense Security Systems Technology, The Swedish Defense Research Agency—FOI, Stockholm, Sweden

    Christer Fureby

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  1. Christer Fureby
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Track: SI DNS and LES of Reactive Flows.

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Fureby, C. Homogenization Based LES for Turbulent Combustion. Flow Turbulence Combust 84, 459–480 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10494-009-9219-x

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