Data-Driven Turbulence Modelling for Magnetohydrodynamic Flows in Annular Pipes

Abstract We present a data-driven approach to Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) turbulence closure modelling in magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flows. In these flows the magnetic field interacting with the conductive fluid induces unconventional turbulence states such as quasi two-dimensional (2D) turbulence, and turbulence suppression, which are poorly represented by standard Boussinesq models. Our data-driven approach uses time-averaged Large Eddy Simulation (LES) data of annular pipe flows, at different Hartmann numbers, to derive corrections for the $$k$$ - $$\omega$$ SST model. Correction fields are obtained by injecting time averaged LES fields into the MHD RANS equations, and examining the remaining residuals. The correction to the Reynolds-stress anisotropy is approximated with a modified Tensor Basis Neural Network (TBNN). We extend the generalised eddy hypothesis with a traceless antisymmetric tensor representation of the Lorentz force to obtain MHD flow features, thus keeping Galilean and frame invariance while including MHD effects in the turbulence model. The resulting data-driven models are shown to reduce errors in the mean flow, and to generalise to annular flow cases with different Hartmann numbers from those of the training cases.