Localized dynamic subgrid closure for simulation of magnetohydrodynamic turbulence

Abstract

A local dynamic kinetic energy model (LDKM) for large-eddy simulation (LES) of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence is proposed. The proposed MHD turbulence model evaluates all model coefficients locally and dynamically without any ad hoc averaging. This model also does not assume low magnetic Reynolds numbers. The turbulent residual-helicity effect (α-effect) appearing in the magnetic induction equation is successfully modeled. For validation, high-Re decaying isotropic decay turbulence with and without a mean magnetic field are studied using LES. The effect of rotation is also studied. For the case without rotation, it is observed that the energy spectrum follows a k−5∕3 law. For the case with rotation, it is shown that two mechanisms, phase scrambling due to frame rotation and Joule dissipation, are competing, and two distinct regimes with respect to rotation rate are observed. There is a critical rotation rate at which the energy decays most in MHD turbulence. It is also shown that this MHD-LDKM model is applicable to wide variety of high/low magnetic Reynolds number applications.