scholarly journals Improved Length Scales for Turbulence Kinetic Energy–Based Planetary Boundary Layer Scheme for the Convective Atmospheric Boundary Layer

2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (7) ◽  
pp. 2605-2626 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bowen Zhou ◽  
Yuhuan Li ◽  
Kefeng Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Atmospheric Boundary Layer ◽  
Planetary Boundary Layer ◽  
Turbulent Mixing ◽  
Turbulence Kinetic Energy ◽  
Convective Boundary ◽  
Stability Range ◽  
Length Scales ◽  
Pbl Scheme

AbstractBased on a priori analysis of large-eddy simulations (LESs) of the convective atmospheric boundary layer, improved turbulent mixing and dissipation length scales are proposed for a turbulence kinetic energy (TKE)-based planetary boundary layer (PBL) scheme. The turbulent mixing length incorporates surface similarity and TKE constraints in the surface layer, and makes adjustments for lateral entrainment effects in the mixed layer. The dissipation length is constructed based on balanced TKE budgets accounting for shear, buoyancy, and turbulent mixing. A nongradient term is added to the TKE flux to correct for nonlocal turbulent mixing of TKE. The improved length scales are implemented into a PBL scheme, and are tested with idealized single-column convective boundary layer (CBL) cases. Results exhibit robust applicability across a broad CBL stability range, and are in good agreement with LES benchmark simulations. It is then implemented into a community atmospheric model and further evaluated with 3D real-case simulations. Results of the new scheme are of comparable quality to three other well-established PBL schemes. Comparisons between simulated and radiosonde-observed profiles show favorable performance of the new scheme on a clear day.

Derivation of Turbulent Kinetic Energy from a First-Order Nonlocal Planetary Boundary Layer Parameterization

2013 ◽  
Vol 70 (6) ◽  
pp. 1795-1805 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyeyum Hailey Shin ◽  
Song-You Hong ◽  
Yign Noh ◽  
Jimy Dudhia
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Turbulent Kinetic Energy ◽  
Planetary Boundary Layer ◽  
Water Cycle ◽  
Convective Boundary ◽  
First Order ◽  
Eddy Simulation ◽  
Pbl Parameterization ◽  
Planetary Boundary Layer Parameterization

Abstract Turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) is derived from a first-order planetary boundary layer (PBL) parameterization for convective boundary layers: the nonlocal K-profile Yonsei University (YSU) PBL. A parameterization for the TKE equation is developed to calculate TKE based on meteorological profiles given by the YSU PBL model. For this purpose buoyancy- and shear-generation terms are formulated consistently with the YSU scheme—that is, the combination of local, nonlocal, and explicit entrainment fluxes. The vertical transport term is also formulated in a similar fashion. A length scale consistent with the K profile is suggested for parameterization of dissipation. Single-column model (SCM) simulations are conducted for a period in the second Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment (GEWEX) Atmospheric Boundary Layer Study (GABLS2) intercomparison case. Results from the SCM simulations are compared with large-eddy simulation (LES) results. The daytime evolution of the vertical structure of TKE matches well with mixed-layer development. The TKE profile is shaped like a typical vertical velocity (w) variance, and its maximum is comparable to that from the LES. By varying the dissipation length from −23% to +13% the TKE maximum is changed from about −15% to +7%. After normalization, the change does not exceed the variability among previous studies. The location of TKE maximum is too low without the effects of the nonlocal TKE transport.

scholarly journals A Shear-Based Parameterization of Turbulent Mixing in the Stable Atmospheric Boundary Layer

2015 ◽  
Vol 72 (5) ◽  
pp. 1713-1726 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jordan M. Wilson ◽  
Subhas K. Venayagamoorthy
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Stress Intensity ◽  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Atmospheric Boundary Layer ◽  
Turbulent Mixing ◽  
Intensity Ratio ◽  
Eddy Diffusivity ◽  
Stable Atmospheric Boundary Layer ◽  
Turbulent Momentum ◽  
Shear Production

Abstract In this study, shear-based parameterizations of turbulent mixing in the stable atmospheric boundary layer (SABL) are proposed. A relevant length-scale estimate for the mixing length of the turbulent momentum field is constructed from the turbulent kinetic energy and the mean shear rate S as . Using observational data from two field campaigns—the Surface Heat Budget of the Arctic Ocean (SHEBA) experiment and the 1999 Cooperative Atmosphere–Surface Exchange Study (CASES-99)— is shown to have a strong correlation with . The relationship between and corresponds to the ratio of the magnitude of the tangential components of the turbulent momentum flux tensor to , known as stress intensity ratio, . The field data clearly show that is linked to stability. The stress intensity ratio also depends on the flow energetics that can be assessed using a shear-production Reynolds number, , where P is shear production of turbulent kinetic energy and is the kinematic viscosity. This analysis shows that high mixing rates can indeed persist at strong stability. On this basis, shear-based parameterizations are proposed for the eddy diffusivity for momentum, , and eddy diffusivity for heat, , showing remarkable agreement with the exact quantities. Furthermore, a broader assessment of the proposed parameterizations is given through an a priori evaluation of large-eddy simulation (LES) data from the first GEWEX Atmospheric Boundary Layer Study (GABLS). The shear-based parameterizations outperform many existing models in predicting turbulent mixing in the SABL. The results of this study provide a framework for improved representation of the SABL in operational models.

scholarly journals The diurnal evolution of <sup>222</sup>Rn and its progeny in the atmospheric boundary layer during the Wangara experiment

2007 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 8895-8931
Author(s):  
J.-F. Vinuesa ◽  
S. Basu ◽  
S. Galmarini
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Atmospheric Boundary Layer ◽  
Turbulent Mixing ◽  
Secular Equilibrium ◽  
Convective Boundary ◽  
Large Eddy Simulation Model ◽  
Eddy Simulation ◽  
Boundary Layer Processes ◽  
Turbulent Characteristics ◽  
Large Eddy

Abstract. The diurnal atmospheric boundary layer evolution of the 222Rn decaying family is studied by using a state-of-the-art large-eddy simulation model. In particular, a diurnal cycle observed during the Wangara experiment is successfully simulated together with the effect of diurnal varying turbulent characteristics on radioactive compounds in a secular equilibrium. This study allows us to clearly analyze and identify the boundary layer processes driving the 222Rn and its progeny concentration behaviors. The activity disequilibrium observed in the nocturnal boundary layer is due to the proximity of the radon source and the trapping of fresh 222Rn close to the surface induced by the weak vertical transport. During the morning transition, the secular equilibrium is fast restored by the vigorous turbulent mixing. The evolution of 222Rn and its progeny concentration in the unsteady growing convective boundary layer depends on the strength of entrainment events.

scholarly journals Evaluation of turbulence measurement techniques from a single Doppler lidar

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 3021-3039 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy A. Bonin ◽  
Aditya Choukulkar ◽  
W. Alan Brewer ◽  
Scott P. Sandberg ◽  
Ann M. Weickmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Planetary Boundary Layer ◽  
Turbulence Intensity ◽  
Measurement Techniques ◽  
Sonic Anemometer ◽  
Shear Velocity ◽  
Turbulence Kinetic Energy ◽  
Doppler Lidar ◽  
Turbulence Measurement

Abstract. Measurements of turbulence are essential to understand and quantify the transport and dispersal of heat, moisture, momentum, and trace gases within the planetary boundary layer (PBL). Through the years, various techniques to measure turbulence using Doppler lidar observations have been proposed. However, the accuracy of these measurements has rarely been validated against trusted in situ instrumentation. Herein, data from the eXperimental Planetary boundary layer Instrumentation Assessment (XPIA) are used to verify Doppler lidar turbulence profiles through comparison with sonic anemometer measurements. For 17 days at the end of the experiment, a single scanning Doppler lidar continuously cycled through different turbulence measurement strategies: velocity–azimuth display (VAD), six-beam scans, and range–height indicators (RHIs) with a vertical stare.Measurements of turbulence kinetic energy (TKE), turbulence intensity, and stress velocity from these techniques are compared with sonic anemometer measurements at six heights on a 300 m tower. The six-beam technique is found to generally measure turbulence kinetic energy and turbulence intensity the most accurately at all heights (r2  ≈  0.78), showing little bias in its observations (slope of  ≈  0. 95). Turbulence measurements from the velocity–azimuth display method tended to be biased low near the surface, as large eddies were not captured by the scan. None of the methods evaluated were able to consistently accurately measure the shear velocity (r2 =  0.15–0.17). Each of the scanning strategies assessed had its own strengths and limitations that need to be considered when selecting the method used in future experiments.

scholarly journals The diurnal evolution of <sup>222</sup>Rn and its progeny in the atmospheric boundary layer during the Wangara experiment

2007 ◽  
Vol 7 (18) ◽  
pp. 5003-5019 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.-F. Vinuesa ◽  
S. Basu ◽  
S. Galmarini
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Atmospheric Boundary Layer ◽  
Turbulent Mixing ◽  
Secular Equilibrium ◽  
Convective Boundary ◽  
Large Eddy Simulation Model ◽  
Eddy Simulation ◽  
Boundary Layer Processes ◽  
Turbulent Characteristics ◽  
Large Eddy

Abstract. The diurnal atmospheric boundary layer evolution of the 222Rn decaying family is studied using a state-of-the-art large-eddy simulation model. In particular, a diurnal cycle observed during the Wangara experiment is successfully simulated together with the effect of diurnal varying turbulent characteristics on radioactive compounds initially in a secular equilibrium. This study allows us to clearly analyze and identify the boundary layer processes driving the behaviour of 222Rn and its progeny concentrations. An activity disequilibrium is observed in the nocturnal boundary layer due to the proximity of the radon source and the trapping of fresh 222Rn close to the surface induced by the weak vertical transport. During the morning transition, the secular equilibrium is fast restored by the vigorous turbulent mixing. The evolution of 222Rn and its progeny concentrations in the unsteady growing convective boundary layer depends on the strength of entrainment events.

Assessing the Turbulence Kinetic Energy Budget in the Boundary Layer Using WRF-LES: Impact of Momentum Perturbation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mukesh Kumar ◽  
Tirtha Banerjee ◽  
Alex Jonko ◽  
Jeff Mirocha ◽  
William Lassman
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Wind Farm ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Random Perturbation ◽  
Turbulent Transport ◽  
Atmospheric Model ◽  
Turbulence Kinetic Energy ◽  
Convective Boundary ◽  
The Impact

&lt;p&gt;Mesoscale-to-Large Eddy Simulation (LES) grid nesting is an important tool for many atmospheric model applications, ranging from wind energy to wildfire spread studies. Different techniques are used in such applications to accelerate the development of turbulence in the LES domain. Here, we explore the impact of a simple and computationally efficient Stochastic Cell Perturbation method (SCPM) to accelerate the generation of turbulence in the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) LES model on the Turbulence Kinetic Energy (TKE) budget. In a convective boundary layer, we study the variation of TKE budget terms under the initial conditions of the Scaled Wind Farm Technology (SWiFT) facility located in West Texas. In this study, WRF LES is used with a horizontal grid resolution of 12 m, and is one-way nested within an idealized mesoscale domain. It is crucial to understand how forced perturbation shifts the balance between the terms of the TKE budget. Here, we quantify the shear production, and buoyant production in an unstable case. Since additional production terms are introduced in the SCPM method, we investigate the dissipation term of TKE. In addition, we also study the generation of turbulent transport. Generally, it integrates over height to null in a planar homogeneous case without subsidence, indicating it is positive over some heights and negative over other heights. Furthermore, we also study the variation of the TKE transport term after extending the random perturbation up to a certain height. The findings of this study will provide a better understanding of the contribution of different budget terms in a forced LES simulation.&lt;/p&gt;

scholarly journals Scaling the Decay of Turbulence Kinetic Energy in the Free-Convective Boundary Layer

2019 ◽  
Vol 173 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Omar El Guernaoui ◽  
Joachim Reuder ◽  
Igor Esau ◽  
Tobias Wolf ◽  
Björn Maronga
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Convective Boundary Layer ◽  
Turbulence Kinetic Energy ◽  
Convective Boundary

scholarly journals Nocturnal Low-Level-Jet-Dominated Atmospheric Boundary Layer Observed by a Doppler Lidar over Oklahoma City during JU2003

2007 ◽  
Vol 46 (12) ◽  
pp. 2098-2109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yansen Wang ◽  
Cheryl L. Klipp ◽  
Dennis M. Garvey ◽  
David A. Ligon ◽  
Chatt C. Williamson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Atmospheric Boundary Layer ◽  
Urban Area ◽  
Oklahoma City ◽  
Suburban Area ◽  
Turbulence Kinetic Energy ◽  
Doppler Lidar ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Low Level Jet

Abstract Boundary layer wind data observed by a Doppler lidar and sonic anemometers during the mornings of three intensive observational periods (IOP2, IOP3, and IOP7) of the Joint Urban 2003 (JU2003) field experiment are analyzed to extract the mean and turbulent characteristics of airflow over Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. A strong nocturnal low-level jet (LLJ) dominated the flow in the boundary layer over the measurement domain from midnight to the morning hours. Lidar scans through the LLJ taken after sunrise indicate that the LLJ elevation shows a gradual increase of 25–100 m over the urban area relative to that over the upstream suburban area. The mean wind speed beneath the jet over the urban area is about 10%–15% slower than that over the suburban area. Sonic anemometer observations combined with Doppler lidar observations in the urban and suburban areas are also analyzed to investigate the boundary layer turbulence production in the LLJ-dominated atmospheric boundary layer. The turbulence kinetic energy was higher over the urban domain mainly because of the shear production of building surfaces and building wakes. Direct transport of turbulent momentum flux from the LLJ to the urban street level was very small because of the relatively high elevation of the jet. However, since the LLJ dominated the mean wind in the boundary layer, the turbulence kinetic energy in the urban domain is correlated directly with the LLJ maximum speed and inversely with its height. The results indicate that the jet Richardson number is a reasonably good indicator for turbulent kinetic energy over the urban domain in the LLJ-dominated atmospheric boundary layer.

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