A parallel Large Eddy Simulation in a finite element projection method for all flow regimes

Abstract

ABSTRACTA new Finite Element Method (FEM) system has been developed for engine and combustion modeling, KIVA-hpFE. This new FEM uses a projection method for the solution of the momentum equations and runs on parallel computer systems using the Message Passing Interface (MPI). The modeled fluid is multispecies and employs either Reynolds Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) (k-ϖ) or a dynamic Large Eddy Simulation (LES) model for the solution of turbulent reactive flow. This FEM-based code provides an excellent platform for developing better in-cylinder fuel and species evolution. A dynamic LES method applicable through transitional to fully turbulent flow is described in this paper. LES uses a fine grid resolution to provide the accurate subgrid-scale (SGS) modeling of turbulence and to capture the majority of the turbulent energy in the resolved regions (the grid scale). To this end, a parallel method is required, particularly for engineering solutions of 3D domains, and is described along with the linear algebraic processes.