Direct numerical simulations of the double scalar mixing layer. Part I: Passive scalar mixing and dissipation

Abstract

The double scalar mixing layer (DSML) is a canonical problem for studying the mixing of multiple streams and, with reaction, combustion of the partially premixed type. In a DSML, a third stream consisting of a premixture of the reactants is introduced in between the pure fuel and air streams of the classic twin-feed or binary mixing problem. The well-known presumed probability density function (PDF), such as the β-PDF, can adequately model passive scalar mixing for the binary mixing problem on which state-of-the-art turbulent combustion models such as conditional moment closure and flamelet approaches rely. However, the β-PDF model, now a standard in CFD simulation, cannot describe turbulent mixing involving multiple streams; e.g., the asymmetric three-stream mixing characterizing the DSML. In this paper, direct numerical simulations of the DSML are performed to make available a high-fidelity database for developing more general, fine-scale mixing models required to compute turbulent combustion problems of practical engineering interest, which usually involve mixing between multiple streams. In this first part of two investigations, nonreacting numerical experiments are presented with emphasis on the nontrivial distributions of the passive scalar and its dissipation rate. Mapping closure modeling is applied to describe the PDFs and conditional dissipation rates of a single mixture fraction. © 2006 American Institute of Physics.