Direct Numerical Simulation of Particle Clustering and Turbulence Modulation: An Eulerian Approach

Abstract

We present a new Eulerian framework for the computation of turbulent compressible multiphase channel flows, specifically to assess turbulence modulation by dispersed particulate matter. By combining a modified low-dissipation numerical scheme for the carrier flow and a quadrature moment-based method for the particle phase, the turbulent statistics of the carrier flow and the fluctuations of the particle phase may be obtained as both are resolved as coupled fields. Using direct numerical simulations, we demonstrate how this method resolves the turbulent statistics, kinetic energy, and drag modulation for moderate Reynolds numbers channel flows for the first time. Validation of our approach to the turbulent clean flow proves the applicability of the carrier flow low dissipation scheme for relatively low Mach number compressible flows. This study also rationalizes the computed drag modulation results using a simplified analytical approach, revealing how the particle migration towards the wall can affect the drag between the two phases at different Stokes numbers and particle loadings. Using our Eulerian approach, we also show the complex interplay between the particles and flow turbulence fluctuations by capturing the preferential clustering of particles in the turbulence streaks. This interplay leads to turbulent flow modulations similar to recent observations reported in prior computational works using Lagrangian simulations. Our study extends the applicability of Eulerian approaches to accurately study particle-fluid interactions in compressible turbulent flows by explicitly calculating the energy equations for both the particle phase and the carrier fluid motion.