Neural network-augmented eddy viscosity closures for turbulent premixed jet flames

Abstract: Extending gradient-type turbulence closures to turbulent premixed flames is challenging due to the significant influence of combustion heat release. We incorporate a deep neural network (DNN) into Reynolds-averaged Navier--Stokes (RANS) models for the turbulent viscosity and thermal conductivity as nonlinear functions of the local flow state and thermochemical gradients. Our models are optimized over the RANS partial differential equations (PDEs) using an adjoint-based data assimilation procedure. Because we directly target the RANS solution, as opposed to the unclosed terms, successfully trained models are guaranteed to improve the in-sample accuracy of the DNN-augmented RANS predictions. We demonstrate the learned closures for in- and out-of-sample $\textit{a posteriori}$ RANS predictions of compressible, premixed, turbulent jet flames with turbulent Damk\"ohler numbers spanning the gradient- and counter-gradient transport regimes. The DNN-augmented RANS predictions have one to two orders of magnitude lower spatiotemporal mean-squared error than those using a baseline $k$--$\epsilon$ model, even for Damk\"ohler numbers far from those used for training. This demonstrates the accuracy, stability, and generalizability of the PDE-constrained modeling approach for turbulent jet flames over this relatively wide Damk\"ohler number range.