Numerical assessment of subgrid scale models for scalar transport in large-eddy simulations of hydrogen-enriched fuels

A comparison of two different models addressing the scalar transport in large-eddy simulations is conducted for a non-reacting jet and an experimental flame. A simple approach based on a gradient diffusion closure is compared against the linear-eddy model in the context of hydrogen-enriched non-reacting fuel jets and flames burning hydrogen-enriched mixtures. The results show that the gradient diffusion model is not valid as a subgrid scale model for large-eddy simulations of mixtures containing hydrogen. It produces unphysical scalar fields with unrealistic temperature distributions. Approaches based on the linear-eddy model can be used instead to obtain appropriate representation of the scalar field and more accurate predictions of the scalar transport and the temperature field. Copyright (C) 2014, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.