Testing the 3-equation Kuhfuss Convection Model using the Sun

TL;DR

This study evaluates the 3-equation Kuhfuss turbulent convection model in stellar evolution, demonstrating improved interior structure modeling of the Sun compared to simpler models, despite some unphysical surface effects.

Contribution

The paper tests and compares the 3-equation Kuhfuss convection model against helioseismic data, showing its advantages over previous models in stellar convection simulation.

Findings

Improved modeling of the temperature gradient at the convective envelope's inner boundary.

Better agreement with helioseismic sound speed profiles.

Identification of unphysical negative temperature gradient near the surface.

Abstract

Simplified, one-dimensional models are necessary to model convection in the context of stellar evolution. By including the non-local effects of convection, turbulent convection models describe convection in a more physical way compared to mixing length theory, which is typically used in one-dimensional stellar evolution models. We recently showed that the 1-equation Kuhfuss turbulent convection model is not sufficient to model the solar convective envelope satisfactorily. Using the Sun as a benchmark, we test the physically more complete 3-equation Kuhfuss turbulent convection model. We calculate a solar calibrated model with the 3-equation Kuhfuss turbulent convection model using the one-dimensional stellar evolution code GARSTEC. We compare the predicted interior structure of the model with helioseismic measurements of the Sun. Furthermore, we investigate how the free parameters and the closure relations of the 3-equation model influence the results. We find that, with the 3-equation model, the temperature gradient at the inner boundary of the convective envelope is modelled more realistically compared to the mixing length theory or the 1-equation model. This also improves the agreement for the sound speed profile between the model and the Sun, and reduces the asteroseismic surface effect. However, close to the surface, the 3-equation model results in a layer having an unphysical, negative temperature gradient. This layer is connected to the closure relations used in the 3-equation model. Our results demonstrate the capabilities of turbulent convection models, and can serve as a next step towards an improved and more realistic modelling of convection in stellar evolution codes.