On the Use of Machine Learning for Subgrid Scale Filtered Density Function Modelling in Large Eddy Simulations of Combustion Systems

Abstract

The application of machine learning algorithms to model subgrid-scale filtered density functions (FDFs), required to estimate filtered reaction rates for Large Eddy Simulation (LES) of chemically reacting flows, is discussed in this chapter. Three test cases, i.e., a low-swirl premixed methane-air flame, a MILD combustion of methane-air mixtures, and a kerosene spray turbulent flame, are presented. The scalar statistics in these test cases may not be easily represented using the commonly used presumed shapes for modeling FDFs of mixture fraction and progress variable. Hence, the use of ML methods is explored. Particularly, deep neural network (DNN) to infer joint FDFs of mixture fraction and progress variable is reviewed here. The Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) datasets employed to train the DNNs in each test case are described. The DNN performances are shown and compared to typical presumed probability density function (PDF) models. Finally, this chapter examines the advantages and caveats of the DNN-based approach.