Validation of an OpenFOAM-based solver for the Euler equations with benchmarks for mesoscale atmospheric modeling

TL;DR

This paper presents an OpenFOAM-based Euler solver tailored for mesoscale atmospheric modeling, validated against benchmarks, and incorporating LES models for turbulence, aiming to facilitate rapid assessment of new computational methods.

Contribution

Developed a new pressure-based Euler solver in OpenFOAM with LES models, validated against classical benchmarks for mesoscale atmospheric flows.

Findings

The solver accurately reproduces benchmark results.

The approach effectively captures sub-grid turbulence processes.

The method offers high computational efficiency.

Abstract

Within OpenFOAM, we develop a pressure-based solver for the Euler equations written in conservative form using density, momentum, and total energy as variables. Under simplifying assumptions, these equations are used to describe non-hydrostatic atmospheric flow. For the stabilization of the Euler equations and to capture sub-grid processes, we consider two Large Eddy Simulation models: the classical Smagorinsky model and the one equation eddy-viscosity model. To achieve high computational efficiency, our solver uses a splitting scheme that decouples the computation of each variable. The numerical results obtained with our solver are validated against numerical data available in the literature for two classical benchmarks: the rising thermal bubble and the density current. Through qualitative and quantitative comparisons, we show that our approach is accurate. This work is meant to lay the foundation for a new open source package specifically created for quick assessment of new computational approaches for the simulation of atmospheric flows at the mesoscale level