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Enthalpy Diffusion in Multicomponent Flows

Journal Article · · Physics of Fluids, vol. 21, n/a, May 28, 2009, pp. 055109
OSTI ID:956838

The enthalpy diffusion flux in the multicomponent energy equation is a well known yet frequently neglected term. It accounts for energy changes, associated with compositional changes, resulting from species diffusion. Enthalpy diffusion is important in flows where significant mixing occurs between species of dissimilar molecular weight. The term plays a critical role in preventing local violations of the entropy condition. In simulations of nonpremixed combustion, omission of the enthalpy flux can lead to anomalous temperature gradients, which may cause mixing regions to exceed ignition conditions. The term can also play a role in generating acoustic noise in turbulent mixing layers. Euler solvers that rely on numerical diffusion to mix fluids cannot accurately predict the temperature in mixed regions. On the other hand, Navier-Stokes solvers that incorporate enthalpy diffusion can provide much more accurate results.

Research Organization:
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-48
OSTI ID:
956838
Report Number(s):
LLNL-JRNL-408798
Journal Information:
Physics of Fluids, vol. 21, n/a, May 28, 2009, pp. 055109, Journal Name: Physics of Fluids, vol. 21, n/a, May 28, 2009, pp. 055109 Vol. 21
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English