A Study of Turbulence Simulations Using Finite Difference Lattice Boltzmann Method

Abstract

Three-dimensional homogeneous isotropic turbulence is simulated using the finite difference lattice Boltzmann method (FDLBM). First, we analyze the characteristics of numerical viscosity of FDLBM, and present a method in which the numerical viscosity coincides with that of the Navier-Stokes based FDM. Second, we conducted simulations with the Smagorinsky model. In the energy spectrum E(k) one detects the inertial range E(k) ∼k-5/3; however, the large k range presents a persistent energy “tail,” which has also been found in direct simulations using conventional lattice Boltzmann scheme. This energy “tail” is is due to generation of non-physical longitudinal noise. However, for high Reynolds number flows this noise is shown to be negligible.

Keywords

• computational fluid dynamics
• lattice boltzmann method
• turbulent flow
• numerical viscosity
• incompressible flow
• large eddy simulation