A comparison between RANS turbulence models and DNS of turbulent MHD channel flows
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Astronomy and AstroPhysics↗
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GPU-Accelerated WENO Schemes for the DNS of CompressibleTurbulent Flows on Exascale Computing Platforms
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Engineering - Aeronautics, Mathematics and Computi↗
DNS of "Tunnel-like" Acoustic Disturbances Interacting with a Pitot Probe
Direct numerical simulation of a pitot probe in the Sandia HWT-8 wind tunnel
Wagnild, Ross Martin [Sandia National Laboratories↗
Hierarchical Distributed Optimal Power Flow of HV and MV Distribution Networks With Continuous and Discrete Devices
With large-scale distributed photovoltaics (PVs) being integrated into distribution networks (DNs), coordinated optimal power flow (OPF) of high voltage (HV) and medium voltage (MV) DNs should be investigated to optimally dispatch the distributed PVs and other network devices. Here, this paper presents a hierarchical distributed OPF method for HV and MV DNs with on-load tap changers, reactive power compensators, feeder switches and distributed PVs. A hierarchical master-slave control architecture is applied to implement coordinated OPF of two-layer DNs. The HV master problem and MV subproblems are transformed into mixed-integer convex problems respectively with second order cone programming and LinDistFlow approximation. Since there is no efficient distributed algorithm to solve such OPF models with integer subproblems, a novel distributed algorithm is proposed in this paper to efficiently solve the hierarchical coordinated OPF model with integer subproblems in a distributed manner. In the proposed algorithm, the coordinated OPF model is solved in a branch-and-bound framework, where in each branch node generalized Benders decomposition (GBD) algorithm is applied to decompose the coordinated OPF model into a master problem and relaxed subproblems and solves them iteratively to get optimal solution. The GBD optimal and feasible cutting planes generated in a branch node are proved to be valid for its descendants. Moreover, three acceleration techniques are introduced into the proposed algorithm to improve computational efficiency. Finally, the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed method are verified via simulation tests in Jinzhai DNs of China.
42 ENGINEERING↗
Challenge Problem 1: Preliminary Model Development and Assessment of Flexible Heat Transfer Modeling Approaches
This report presents the modeling progress of a university consortium studying flexible modeling for turbulent heat transfer. In the context of advanced nuclear reactor design, where challenges include non-unity Prandtl fluids, free and mixed convection, and transitional flow, computational fluid dynamics methods are underutilized due to low confidence in modeling approaches and high computational cost. This report evaluates the performance of engineering CFD models in diabatic, buoyant turbulent flow. It finds that all turbulence models including several variants of the k-ε and k-ω models struggle to predict accurate turbulent momentum and heat transfer in such flows. The Nusselt numbers have been compared between the models and the DNS data, where calculations have been performed for each case and trends have shown a good agreement between DNS estimated Nusselt numbers and available correlations as well as experimental data. A novel DNS correlation for high Pr cases as they are transitioning from mixed convection to natural convection has been proposed. While Nusselt number errors relative to DNS range from 20% to 50%, the models capture similar trends to DNS with respect to Nusselt suppression and amplification under varying levels of buoyancy effect. This report also highlights model form error as a significant contributor to CFD predictions and proposes a framework for quantifying model error and improving confidence in CFD calculations. To improve the predictive capability of engineering CFD models, data-driven approaches for turbulence models are investigated. Theoretical frameworks based on the invariant tensor / vector basis neural networks for prediction of Reynolds stresses and turbulent heat fluxes are employed. The models are developed using direct numerical simulations data for forced convection flows of different fluids in vertical planar channel domain. The framework is implemented in spectral element solvers Nek5000 / nekRS and has shown a potential for future development and consideration of mixed convection flows.
22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
New scaling law for turbulent boundary layers with high surface mass transfer
A fundamental understanding of the phenomena occurring in the turbulent boundary layer in the presence of surface blowing is limited, and considerable disagreements persist even in describing primary quantities, such as the boundary layer profile. The theories based on the linear boundary layer equations show that the thickness of the sublayer increases in the presence of surface blowing; therefore, the viscous sublayer and law of the wall modify. In this study, direct numerical simulations (DNS) of turbulent boundary layers with uniform surface mass transfers are carried out in order to scale the velocity profile. Emphasis is placed on moderate to high mass transfer rates, which are relevant to the most common hybrid rockets configuration. DNS data are used to establish a functional law of the wall and a law of wake by means of the relation between the wall shear stress and surface mass transfer. Analysis of the mean kinetic energy budget shows that the magnitude of turbulent kinetic energy increases by surface mass transfer, and the production rate extends significantly in the inner layer as the injection rate increases. DNS data of various surface blowing are used to complete the closure of turbulence kinetic energy equation and develop an eddy viscosity model. The predicted turbulent kinetic energy and eddy viscosity agree with DNS data for moderate to high blowing rates.
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
A direct numerical simulation study of the dilution tolerance of propane combustion under spark-ignition engine conditions
Modern spark ignition internal combustion (IC) engines rely on highly diluted fuel-air mixtures to achieve high brake thermal efficiencies. To support this, new engine designs have introduced high stroke-to-bore ratios and cylinder head designs that promote high tumble flow and turbulence intensities. However, mixture dilution through exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) is limited by combustion instabilities manifested in the form of cycle-to-cycle variability. Propane has been observed to have superior EGR dilution tolerance than gasoline, which makes it a very competitive low-carbon fuel for the new IC engines without sacrificing efficiency. Two-dimensional direct numerical simulations (DNS) are performed with detailed chemistry to study and contrast the effect of turbulence intensity and dilution on propane and iso-octane premixed flames at high pressure conditions similar to those in-cylinder. A new reduced mechanism for propane consisting of 53 transported species and 17 quasi-steady state species is developed based on a previously published mechanism and used in these simulations. Three levels of turbulence intensity and two levels of exhaust gas dilution are chosen based on conditions relevant to IC engine operation. The DNS results are analyzed based on the evolution of the flame surface area and the statistics of its driving terms, which are found to be similar for both fuels when there is no dilution but considerably different under high dilution. The analysis of the DNS data provides fundamental insights into the underlying mechanisms for improved stability under dilution.
42 ENGINEERING↗
Turbulent burning velocity of lean premixed hydrogen/air flames at engine conditions: Effects of turbulence intensity and length scale
For turbulent lean premixed hydrogen flames with strong thermodiffusively instabilities, most previous studies have focused on the influence of turbulence intensity, whereas the role of turbulence length scale is less well understood. Here, this study addresses this gap by conducting direct numerical simulations (DNS) of statistically planar turbulent premixed flames for a lean (ϕ=0.35) hydrogen/air mixture under independently varied turbulence intensity (u') and length scale (l T ) at engine-relevant thermodynamics conditions. Results show that as u' increases, the flame front becomes increasingly wrinkled, forming smaller cellular structures. In contrast, l T variations do not significantly alter the size of these structures. For the turbulent burning velocity (S T ), the normalized S T (i.e., S T /S L , where S L is the laminar flame speed) increases linearly with u', driven by both enhanced flame surface wrinkling (i.e., increased A T /A L ) and enhanced local burning rate (i.e., increased I 0 ). However, increasing l T reduces I 0 , despite a continued increase in A T /A L , resulting in only a marginal increase in S T /S L . To reveal the underlying mechanisms, especially the decreasing trend of I 0 with l T , local flame dynamics analyses are performed. It is found that as l T increases, the interaction between thermodiffusive effects and turbulence weakens due to the reduced tangential strain rate, while the flame curvature remains largely unchanged. This suppresses local reactivity enhancement and thus decreases I 0 , In contrast, an increase in u' enhances the interaction by amplifying both curvature fluctuation and tangential strain rate, leading to increased local reactivity (increased I 0 ). Finally, based on the DNS data, several new scaling models are proposed for the three global properties, S T /S L , A T /A L , and I 0 , and showed improvements compared to existing models. These findings provide new insights into the flame-turbulence interactions in thermodiffusively unstable hydrogen flames. The DNS dataset is also useful for the development of turbulent combustion models applicable to practical engine simulations.
Engine-relevant condition↗
The effects of turbulence on the flame structure and NO formation of ammonia turbulent premixed combustion at various equivalence ratios
Ammonia is carbon-free and is regarded as a potential fuel to address global warming issues. Here, in this work, three-dimensional direct numerical simulations (DNS) of ammonia/air turbulent premixed flames were performed to explore the influence of turbulence and equivalence ratio on the flame structure and NO formation characteristics. Two equivalence ratios were considered, i.e. Φ=0.9 and Φ=1.1. The general flame structures were presented and species distributions were examined. The NO mass fraction was found to be the highest in the product for the lean case and in the reaction zone for the rich case. The conditional mean values of species mass fractions and reaction rates were compared with those of the unstrained and strained laminar premixed flames to explore how well the laminar flame structures can approach those of the turbulent flame. The budget analysis of the species transport equations showed that turbulent diffusion plays an important role in species transport. The turbulent diffusivity D T was estimated using the gradient hypothesis based on the DNS data. Various laminar flame simulations with different diffusivities were carried out. It was shown that the conditional means of the DNS agree well with those of the laminar flames including D T in the transport property calculation. The global and local NO formation characteristics were investigated. It was found that the mean NO production conditioned on the progress variable is lower compared with the corresponding laminar flame in the rich case. However, the relative contributions from various NO pathways are rarely affected by turbulence. The NO mass fraction is higher in negative curvature regions compared with positive curvature regions of the flame surface for the rich case, which is due to the preferential diffusion of H 2 and other radicals and the enhanced NO pathways in negatively curved regions.
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
Heat transport and temperature boundary-layer profiles in closed turbulent Rayleigh–Bénard convection with slippery conducting surfaces
Here, we report direct numerical simulations (DNS) of the Nusselt number Nu , the vertical profiles of mean temperature Θ(z) and temperature variance Ω(z) across the thermal boundary layer (BL) in closed turbulent Rayleigh–Bénard convection (RBC) with slippery conducting surfaces ( z is the vertical distance from the bottom surface). The DNS study was conducted in three RBC samples: a three-dimensional cuboid with length L=H and width W=H/4 ( H is the sample height), and two-dimensional rectangles with aspect ratios Γ≡L/H=1 and 10. The slip length b for top and bottom plates varied from 0 to ∞ . The Rayleigh numbers Ra were in the range 10 6 $⩽$Ra$⩽$10 10 and the Prandtl number Pr was fixed at 4.3 . As b increases, the normalised Nu/Nu 0 ( Nu 0 is the global heat transport for b =0 ) from the three samples for different Ra and Γ can be well described by the same function Nu/Nu 0 = N 0 tanh( b /λ 0 )+1 , with N 0 =0.8±0.03 . Here λ 0 ≡ L /(2 Nu 0 ) is the thermal boundary layer thickness for b =0 . Considering the BL fluctuations for Pr >1, one can derive solutions of temperature profiles Θ(z) and Ω(z) near the thermal BL for b $⩾$ 0 . When b =0 , the solutions are equivalent to those reported by Shishkina et al. ( Phys. Rev. Lett. , vol. 114, 2015, 114302) and Wang et al. ( Phys. Rev. Fluids , vol. 1, 2016, 082301(R)), respectively, for no-slip plates. For b >0, the derived solutions are in excellent agreement with our DNS data for slippery plates.
42 ENGINEERING↗
Optimal white-noise stochastic forcing for linear models of turbulent channel flow
In the present study an optimisation problem is formulated to determine the forcing of an eddy-viscosity-based linearised Navier–Stokes model in channel flow at $Re_\tau \approx 5200$ ( $Re_\tau$ is the friction Reynolds number), where the forcing is white-in-time and spatially decorrelated. The objective functional is prescribed such that the forcing drives a response to best match a set of velocity spectra from direct numerical simulation (DNS), as well as remaining sufficiently smooth. Strong quantitative agreement is obtained between the velocity spectra from the linear model with optimal forcing and from DNS, but only qualitative agreement between the Reynolds shear stress co-spectra from the model and DNS. The forcing spectra exhibit a level of self-similarity, associated with the primary peak in the velocity spectra, but they also reveal a non-negligible amount of energy spent in phenomenologically mimicking the non-self-similar part of the velocity spectra associated with energy cascade. By exploiting linearity, the effect of the individual forcing components is assessed and the contributions from the Orr mechanism and the lift-up effect are also identified. Finally, the effect of the strength of the eddy viscosity on the optimisation performance is investigated. The inclusion of the eddy viscosity diffusion operator is shown to be essential in modelling of the near-wall features, while still allowing the forcing of the self-similar primary peak. In particular, reducing the strength of the eddy viscosity results in a considerable increase in the near-wall forcing of wall-parallel components.
Mechanics↗
Reynolds-number scaling of wall-pressure–velocity correlations in wall-bounded turbulence
Wall-pressure fluctuations are a practically robust input for real-time control systems aimed at modifying wall-bounded turbulence. The scaling behaviour of the wall-pressure–velocity coupling requires investigation to properly design a controller with such input data so that it can actuate upon the desired turbulent structures. A comprehensive database from direct numerical simulations (DNS) of turbulent channel flow is used for this purpose, spanning a Reynolds-number range$Re_\tau \approx 550\unicode{x2013}5200$. Spectral analysis reveals that the streamwise velocity is most strongly coupled to the linear term of the wall pressure, at a Reynolds-number invariant distance-from-the-wall scaling of$\lambda _x/y \approx 14$(and$\lambda _x/y \approx 8$for the wall-normal velocity). When extending the analysis to both homogeneous directions in$x$and$y$, the peak coherence is centred at$\lambda _x/\lambda _z \approx 2$and$\lambda _x/\lambda _z \approx 1$for$p_w$and$u$, and$p_w$and$v$, respectively. A stronger coherence is retrieved when the quadratic term of the wall pressure is concerned, but there is only little evidence for a wall-attached-eddy type of scaling. An experimental dataset comprising simultaneous measurements of wall pressure and velocity complements the DNS-based findings at one value of$Re_\tau \approx 2$k, with ample evidence that the DNS-inferred correlations can be replicated with experimental pressure data subject to significant levels of (acoustic) facility noise. It is furthermore shown that velocity-state estimations can be achieved with good accuracy by including both the linear and quadratic terms of the wall pressure. An accuracy of up to 72 % in the binary state of the streamwise velocity fluctuations in the logarithmic region is achieved; this corresponds to a correlation coefficient of$\approx$0.6. This thus demonstrates that wall-pressure sensing for velocity-state estimation – e.g. for use in real-time control of wall-bounded turbulence – has merit in terms of its realization at a range of Reynolds numbers.
Mechanics↗
Non-Boussinesq subgrid-scale model with dynamic tensorial coefficients
A major drawback of Boussinesq-type subgrid-scale stress models used in large-eddy simulations is the inherent assumption of alignment between large-scale strain rates and filtered subgrid-stresses. A priori analyses using direct numerical simulation (DNS) data have shown that this assumption is invalid locally as subgrid-scale stresses are poorly correlated with the large-scale strain rates [J. Bardina, J. Ferziger, and W. Reynolds, Improved subgrid-scale models for large-eddy simulation, in Proceedings of the 13th Fluid and Plasmadynamics Conference, AIAA (1980); C. Meneveau and K. Katz, Scale-invariance and turbulence models for large-eddy simulation, Ann. Rev. Fluid Mech. 32, 1 (2000)]. In the present work, a new, non-Boussinesq subgrid-scale model is presented where the model coefficients are computed dynamically. Some previous non-Boussinesq models have observed issues in providing adequate dissipation of turbulent kinetic energy [e.g., Bardina et al., Proceedings of the 13th Fluid and Plasmadynamics Conference (1980); R. A. Clark, J. Ferziger, and W.C. Reynolds. Evaluation of subgrid-scale models using an accurately simulated turbulent flow, J. Fluid Mech. 91, 1 (1979); S. Stolz and N. A. Adams, An approximate deconvolution procedure for large-eddy simulation, Phys. Fluids 11, 1699 (1999)]; however, the present model is shown to provide sufficient dissipation using dynamic coefficients. Modeled subgrid-scale Reynolds stresses satisfy the consistency requirements of the governing equations for large-eddy simulation (LES), vanish in laminar flow and at solid boundaries, and have the correct asymptotic behavior in the near-wall region of a turbulent boundary layer. The new model, referred to as the dynamic tensor-coefficient Smagorinsky model (DTCSM), has been tested in simulations of canonical flows: decaying and forced homogeneous isotropic turbulence, and wall-modeled turbulent channel flow at high Reynolds numbers. The results show favorable agreement with DNS data. It has been shown that DTCSM offers similar predictive capabilities as the dynamic Smagorinsky model for canonical flows. In order to assess the performance of DTCSM in more complex flows, wall-modeled simulations of high Reynolds number flow over a Gaussian bump (Boeing speed bump) exhibiting smooth-body flow separation are performed. Predictions of surface pressure and skin friction, compared against DNS and experimental data, show improved accuracy from DTCSM in comparison to existing static coefficient (Vreman) and dynamic Smagorinsky model. The computational cost of performing LES with this model is up to 15% higher than the dynamic Smagorinsky model.
42 ENGINEERING↗
Assessing the Optimality of LinDist3Flow for Optimal Tap Selection of Step Voltage Regulators in Unbalanced Distribution Networks
The adoption of distributed energy resources such as photovoltaics (PVs) has increased dramatically during the previous decade. The increased penetration of PVs into distribution networks (DNs) can cause voltage fluctuations that have to be mitigated. One of the key utility assets employed to this end are step-voltage regulators (SVRs). It is desirable to include tap selection of SVRs in optimal power flow (OPF) routines, a task that turns out to be challenging because the resultant OPF problem is nonconvex with added complexities stemming from accurate SVR modeling. While several convex relaxations based on semi-definite programming (SDP) have been presented in the literature for optimal tap selection, SDP based schemes do not scale well and are challenging to implement in large-scale planning or operational frameworks. This paper deals with the optimal tap selection (OPTS) problem for wye-connected SVRs using linear approximations of power flow equations. Specifically, the LinDist3Flow model is adopted and the effective SVR ratio is assumed to be continuous- enabling the formulation of a problem called LinDist3Flow-OPTS, which amounts to a linear program. The scalability and optimality gap of LinDist3Flow-OPTS are evaluated with respect to existing SDP-based and nonlinear programming techniques for optimal tap selection in three standard feeders, namely, the IEEE 13-bus, 123-bus, and 8500-node DNs. For all DNs considered, LinDist3Flow-OPTS achieves an optimality gap of approximately 1% or less while significantly lowering the computational burden.
linear approximations↗
Direct Numerical Simulation of Partial Fuel Stratification Assisted Lean Premixed Combustion for Assessment of Hybrid G-Equation/Well-Stirred Reactor Model
Partial fuel stratification (PFS) is a promising fuel injection strategy to stabilize lean premixed combustion in spark-ignition (SI) engines. PFS creates a locally stratified mixture by injecting a fraction of the fuel, just before spark timing, into the engine cylinder containing homogeneous lean fuel/air mixture. Further, this locally stratified mixture, when ignited, results in complex flame structure and propagation modes similar to partially premixed flames and allows for faster and more stable flame propagation than a homogeneous lean mixture. This study focuses on understanding the detailed flame structures associated with PFS-assisted lean premixed combustion. First, a two-dimensional direct numerical simulation (DNS) is performed using detailed fuel chemistry, experimental pressure trace, and realistic initial conditions mapped from a prior engine large-eddy simulation (LES), replicating practical lean SI operating conditions. DNS results suggest that the conventional triple flame structure is prevalent during the initial stage of flame kernel growth. Both premixed and nonpremixed combustion modes are present with the premixed mode contributing dominantly to the total heat release. Detailed analysis further reveals the effects of flame stretch and fuel pyrolysis on flame displacement speed. Based on the DNS findings, the accuracy of a hybrid G-equation/well-stirred reactor (WSR) combustion model is assessed for the PFS-assisted lean operation in the LES context. It is found that the G-equation model qualitatively captures the premixed branches of the triple flame, while the WSR model predicts the nonpremixed branch of the triple flame. Finally, potential needs for improvements to the hybrid G-equation/WSR modeling approach are discussed.
33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
Direct Numerical Simulation of Involute Channel Turbulence
A direct numerical simulation (DNS) study was performed on turbulent flow in the high flux isotope reactor involute channel geometry to develop a numerical database and determine the differences compared with a flat parallel channel. The varying channel curvature along the walls was studied for differences in mean profiles. Parameters of interest include streamwise velocity, turbulent kinetic energy (TKE), and turbulence dissipation rate, as well as Reynolds stresses and turbulence transport terms. Profile sampling was carried out at 10 locations along the span of the involute. Additional DNS studies were performed on smaller domains of comparable curvature to the involute domain: a high curvature channel (high circular), a low curvature channel (low circular), and a flat channel (flat). Here, each of these four cases was compared against each other and to other DNS studies performed on parallel flows. The results indicate that the bulk involute channel flow does not differ significantly from a flat parallel channel flow and that the curvature of the walls does not significantly alter the mean flow parameters. However, the regions of the involute channel near the side walls exhibit relatively low magnitude twin recirculation structures driven toward the side walls from the centerline of the channel, which warrants further study.
21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
Tardigrade-examples V0.1.0
Tardigrade-examples is a repository of computational workflows that exercise the Tardigrade software package. The Tardigrade software package is an implementation of Eringen’s micromorphic continuum theory with capabilities to support multiscale material modeling. These capabilities include homogenization through the Micromorphic Filter, calibration of micromorphic material models, and macroscale simulation in Tardigrade-MOOSE. This repository investigates continuum upscaling of various direct numerical simulations (DNS) conducted in Abaqus finite element (FE), Ratel FE, and GEOS material point method (MPM) software. Verification of the upscaling workflow is first investigated by considering DNS of trivial stress states for homogeneous materials, results of which indicate that classical continuum behavior is recovered as expected. DNS of heterogeneous materials are then considered.
Allard, Thomas↗