An Overview of the Lagrangian Dispersion Modeling of Heavy Particles in Homogeneous Isotropic Turbulence and Considerations on Related LES Simulations

Particle tracking is a competitive technique widely used in two-phase flows and best suited to simulate the dispersion of heavy particles in the atmosphere. Most Lagrangian models in the statistical approach to turbulence are based either on the eddy interaction model (EIM) and the Monte-Carlo method or on random walk models (RWMs) making use of Markov chains and a Langevin equation. In the present work, both discontinuous and continuous random walk techniques are used to model the dispersion of heavy spherical particles in homogeneous isotropic stationary turbulence (HIST). Their efficiency to predict particle long time dispersion, mean-square velocity and Lagrangian integral time scales are discussed. Computation results with zero and no-zero mean drift velocity are reported; they are intended to quantify the inertia, gravity, crossing-trajectory and continuity effects controlling the dispersion. The calculations concern dense monodisperse spheres in air, the particle Stokes number ranging from 0.007 to 4. Due to the weaknesses of such models, a more sophisticated matrix method will also be explored, able to simulate the true fluid turbulence experienced by the particle for long time dispersion studies. Computer evolution and performance since allowed to develop, instead of Reynold-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS)-based studies, large eddy simulation (LES) and direct numerical simulation (DNS) of turbulence coupled to Generalized Langevin Models. A short review on the progress of the Lagrangian simulations based on large eddy simulation (LES) will therefore be provided too, highlighting preferential concentration. The theoretical framework for the fluid time correlation functions along the heavy particle path is that suggested by Wang and Stock.