Comparison of Flame Propagation Statistics Extracted from Direct Numerical Simulation Based on Simple and Detailed Chemistry—Part 1: Fundamental Flame Turbulence Interaction

In the present study, flame propagation statistics from turbulent statistically planar premixed flames obtained from simple and detailed chemistry, three-dimensional Direct Numerical Simulations, were evaluated and compared to each other. To this end, a new database was established encompassing five different conditions on the turbulent premixed combustion regime diagram, using nearly identical numerical methods and the same initial and boundary conditions. A detailed discussion of the advantages and limitations of both approaches is provided, including the difference in carbon footprint for establishing the database. It is shown that displacement speed statistics and their interrelation with curvature and tangential strain rate are in very good qualitative and reasonably good quantitative agreement between simple and detailed chemistry Direct Numerical Simulations. Hence, it is concluded that simple chemistry simulations should retain their importance for future combustion research, and the environmental impact of high-performance computing methods should be carefully chosen in relation to the goals to be achieved.