Subgrid combustion modelling for large-eddy simulations

Abstract

Next-generation gas turbine and internal combustion engines are required to reduce pollutant emissions significantly and also to be fuel efficient. Accurate prediction of pollutant formation requires proper resolution of the spatio-temporal evolution of the unsteady mixing and combustion processes. Since conventional steady state methods are not able to deal with these features, methodology based on large-eddy simulations (LESs) is becoming a viable choice to study unsteady reacting flows. This paper describes a new LES methodology developed recently that has demonstrated a capability to simulate reacting turbulent flows accurately. A key feature of this new approach is the manner in which small-scale turbulent mixing and combustion processes are simulated. This feature allows proper characterization of the effects of both large-scale convection and small-scale mixing on the scalar processes, thereby providing a more accurate prediction of chemical reaction effects. LESs of high Reynolds number premixed flames in the flamelet regime and in the distributed reaction regime are used to describe the ability of the new subgrid combustion model.