title: Development and validation of a turbulent-mix model for variable-density and compressible flows.
abstract: The modeling of buoyancy driven turbulent flows is considered in conjunction with an advanced statistical turbulence model referred to as the BHR (Besnard-Harlow-Rauenzahn) k-S-a model. The BHR k-S-a model is focused on variable-density and compressible flows such as Rayleigh-Taylor (RT), Richtmyer-Meshkov (RM), and Kelvin-Helmholtz (KH) driven mixing. The BHR k-S-a turbulence mix model has been implemented in the RAGE hydro-code, and model constants are evaluated based on analytical self-similar solutions of the model equations. The results are then compared with a large test database available from experiments and direct numerical simulations (DNS) of RT, RM, and KH driven mixing. Furthermore, we describe research to understand how the BHR k-S-a turbulence model operates over a range of moderate to high Reynolds number buoyancy driven flows, with a goal of placing the modeling of buoyancy driven turbulent flows at the same level of development as that of single phase shear flows.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Missouri University of Science & Technology, Rolla, Missouri 65409, USA. banerjeea@mst.edu
authors.forename: Arindam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Banerjee
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Gore
authors.forename: Malcolm J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Andrews