On the large eddy simulation of high prandtl number scalar transport using dynamic subgrid-scale model

Abstract

The present study investigates passive scalar transport using an eddy viscosity/diffusivity model in turbulent channel flow with Prandtl number range 1-10. Dynamic subgrid-scale model (DSM) was applied to the transport equation for passive scalar to determine the eddy diffusivity dynamically. To assess the feasibility of the DSM model applied for passive scalar,a priori test on direct numerical simulation data was conducted and the results are compared with those obtained from a large eddy simulation that uses DSM modela posteriori. As the Prandtl number increases, the discrepancy in subgrid-scale (SGS) heat flux amplifies but the shape of SGS temperature dissipation profiles shows reasonable agreement. This suggests that energy transfer between resolved and subgrid-scales are reasonably predicted regardless of the accuracy in SGS heat flux vectors. Whilea priori test shows that SGS turbulent Prandtl number changes significantly with Prandtl number, the actual LES results are found to be insensitive to Prandtl number away from the wall. Thus, the DSM model has some limitations in the prediction of high Prandtl number flows.