Direct numerical simulations of the Taylor–Green vortex interacting with a hydrogen diffusion flame: Reynolds number and non-unity-Lewis number effects

Abstract

Understanding the interactions between hydrogen flame and turbulent vortices is important for developing the next-generation carbon neutral combustion systems. In the present work, we perform several direct numerical simulation cases to study the dynamics of a hydrogen diffusion flame embedded in the Taylor–Green Vortex (TGV). The evolution of flame and vortex is investigated for a range of initial Reynolds numbers up to 3200 with different mass diffusion models. We show that the vortices dissipate rapidly in cases at low Reynolds numbers, while the consistent stretching, splitting, and twisting of vortex tubes are observed in cases with evident turbulence transition at high Reynolds numbers. Regarding the interactions between the flame and vortex, it is demonstrated that the heat release generated by the flame has suppression effects on the turbulence intensity and its development of the TGV. Meanwhile, the intense turbulence provides abundant kinetic energy, accelerating the mixing of the diffusion flame with a contribution to a higher strain rate and larger curvatures of the flame. Considering the effects of the non-unity-Lewis number, it is revealed that the flame strength is more intense in the cases with the mixture-averaged model. However, this effect is relatively suppressed under the impacts of the intense turbulence.