Collaborative Research: Higher-Order Two-Fluid Methods for Simulations of Particle-Laden Flow

University Of Alabama In Huntsville, Huntsville AL

Investigators

Abstract

In this effort the PIs and their student develop a high-order two-fluid method based on a new set of coupled two-fluid hyperbolic conservation PDEs and a Hybrid WENO-spectral method. The two-fluid model is unprecedented, obtained from first principles utilizing an Eulerian approach for the description of particles, which have been predominantly modeled through lower-order methods in the Lagrangian frame of the particle. In the Eulerian frame, the particle phase is modeled through a set of hyperbolic Eulerian transport equations governing the behavior of the Probability Density Function of particle properties. The equations are derived by a novel statistical method based on a method of moments via an averaged Liouville equation. The PIs propose to develop a method based on a high-order resolution, hybrid multidomain WENO-spectral method for the two-fluid model. The high- resolution method is projected to improve over existing lower- order method by capturing discontinuous interfaces and shocks sharply, while accurately resolving small scale, unsteady particle-laden flow features. The focus of this proposal is on the development of a stable and consistent capturing of discontinuous particle-gas interfaces as well as a stable and consistent source coupling between the particle and gas phases. Another focus will be on the regularization of non- linear, singular and stiff source terms that couple the gas and particle PDEs. The two-fluid method will be assessed against published benchmarks, including a one-way coupled isotropic turbulence and two-way coupled shock particle interaction, computed with a more established Eulerian- Lagrangian method. Explosions and combustion processes generate environments where fluid turbulence and shocks have an intimate and mutual interaction with particles. Various engineered systems and natural processes involve high speed particle dynamics, shock- turbulence interaction, and particle flow interactions; such phenomena play key roles in debris flow and contaminant spread due to explosions, controlling supersonic combustion, high- speed coating processes for high-performance aerospace and electronic components. The volcanic explosions in Iceland, for example, generated shocks, accelerated turbulent gas flows and micro-scale dust particles that were carried for hundreds of miles over several days not only polluting the environment but affecting air traffic for an extended period of time. The proposed research develops an advanced numerical tool that enables (improved) computation of these flows which will ultimately enhance understanding of a large class of engineering and environmental problems. This knowledge can be used directly in design improvements, control of pollution and the effects of explosion processes on society. This proposal, moreover, increases the number of students from underrepresented groups in STEM education by involving students in the Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program at SDSU.