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Subgrid-Scale Modeling of Reacting Scalar Fluxes in Large-Eddy Simulations of Atmospheric Boundary Layers

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Abstract

In large-eddy simulations of atmospheric boundary layer turbulence, the lumped coefficient in the eddy-diffusion subgrid-scale (SGS) model is known to depend on scale for the case of inert scalars. This scale dependence is predominant near the surface. In this paper, a scale-dependent dynamic SGS model for the turbulent transport of reacting scalars is implemented in large-eddy simulations of a neutral boundary layer. Since the model coefficient is computed dynamically from the dynamics of the resolved scales, the simulations are free from any parameter tuning. A set of chemical cases representative of various turbulent reacting flow regimes is examined. The reactants are involved in a first-order reaction and are injected in the atmospheric boundary layer with a constant and uniform surface flux. Emphasis is placed on studying the combined effects of resolution and chemical regime on the performance of the SGS model. Simulations with the scale-dependent dynamic model yield the expected trends of the coefficients as function of resolution, position in the flow and chemical regime, leading to resolution-independent turbulent reactant fluxes.

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Abbreviations

ABL:

Atmospheric boundary layer

LES:

Large-eddy simulation

SGS:

Subgrid-scale

RANS:

Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes

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Author notes

  1. S. Basu

    Present address: Department of Geosciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Saint Anthony Falls Laboratory and Department of Civil Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA

    J. -F. Vinuesa, F. Porté-Agel, S. Basu & R. Stoll

  2. National Center for Earth-surface Dynamics, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA

    F. Porté-Agel

  3. Joint Research Center, Institute for Environment and Sustainability, 21020, Ispra, Italy

    J. -F. Vinuesa

Authors
  1. J. -F. Vinuesa
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  2. F. Porté-Agel
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  3. S. Basu
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  4. R. Stoll
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Correspondence to J. -F. Vinuesa.

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Vinuesa, J.F., Porté-Agel, F., Basu, S. et al. Subgrid-Scale Modeling of Reacting Scalar Fluxes in Large-Eddy Simulations of Atmospheric Boundary Layers. Environ Fluid Mech 6, 115–131 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10652-005-6020-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10652-005-6020-9

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