Filtered density function simulation of a realistic swirled combustor

The scalar filtered mass density function (SFMDF) methodology is employed for large eddy simulation (LES) of the PRECCINSTA burner from DLR. This burner involves a swirling flow configuration and provides a good model of the combustor in gas turbines. In SFMDF, the effects of unresolved scalar fluctuations are taken into account by considering the probability density function of subgrid scale scalar quantities. The modeled SFMDF transport equation is solved numerically via a Lagrangian Monte Carlo scheme coupled with a finite volume flow solver on unstructured grids. The simulated results are assessed via comparison with experimental data and show reasonable agreements. This demonstrates the capability of SFMDF for LES of complex flows, and warrants future applications of the methodology for LES of practical combustor configurations. This work represents one of the first attempts in implementing FDF for LES of a practical gas turbine combustor.