Direct simulation Monte Carlo investigation of the Rayleigh-Taylor instability

Gallis, M. A.; Koehler, T. P.; Torczynski, J. R.; Plimpton, S. J.

doi:10.1103/PhysRevFluids.1.043403

Direct simulation Monte Carlo investigation of the Rayleigh-Taylor instability

Journal Article · Wed Aug 31 00:00:00 UTC 2016 · Physical Review Fluids

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevFluids.1.043403· OSTI ID:1339256

Gallis, M. A. ^[1]; Koehler, T. P. ^[1]; Torczynski, J. R. ^[1]; Plimpton, S. J. ^[2]

Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States). Engineering Sciences Center
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States). Computing Research Center

In this paper, the Rayleigh-Taylor instability (RTI) is investigated using the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method of molecular gas dynamics. Here, fully resolved two-dimensional DSMC RTI simulations are performed to quantify the growth of flat and single-mode perturbed interfaces between two atmospheric-pressure monatomic gases as a function of the Atwood number and the gravitational acceleration. The DSMC simulations reproduce many qualitative features of the growth of the mixing layer and are in reasonable quantitative agreement with theoretical and empirical models in the linear, nonlinear, and self-similar regimes. In some of the simulations at late times, the instability enters the self-similar regime, in agreement with experimental observations. Finally, for the conditions simulated, diffusion can influence the initial instability growth significantly.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE; USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC04-94AL85000

OSTI ID:: 1339256

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1313260
OSTI ID: 1324598

Report Number(s):: SAND2016--1868J; 619643

Journal Information:: Physical Review Fluids, Journal Name: Physical Review Fluids Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 1; ISSN 2469-990X

Publisher:: APSCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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