On the inference of the state of turbulence and mixing efficiency in stably stratified flows

2019 ◽  
Vol 867 ◽  
pp. 323-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amrapalli Garanaik ◽  
Subhas K. Venayagamoorthy
Keyword(s):  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Turbulent Kinetic Energy ◽  
Stratified Flows ◽  
Dynamic State ◽  
Mixing Efficiency ◽  
Buoyancy Frequency ◽  
Length Scale ◽  
Stratified Turbulence ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Rate Of Dissipation

Scaling arguments are presented to quantify the widely used diapycnal (irreversible) mixing coefficient $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}=\unicode[STIX]{x1D716}_{PE}/\unicode[STIX]{x1D716}$ in stratified flows as a function of the turbulent Froude number $Fr=\unicode[STIX]{x1D716}/Nk$. Here, $N$ is the buoyancy frequency, $k$ is the turbulent kinetic energy, $\unicode[STIX]{x1D716}$ is the rate of dissipation of turbulent kinetic energy and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D716}_{PE}$ is the rate of dissipation of turbulent potential energy. We show that for $Fr\gg 1$, $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}\propto Fr^{-2}$, for $Fr\sim \mathit{O}(1)$, $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}\propto Fr^{-1}$ and for $Fr\ll 1$, $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}\propto Fr^{0}$. These scaling results are tested using high-resolution direct numerical simulation (DNS) data from three different studies and are found to hold reasonably well across a wide range of $Fr$ that encompasses weakly stratified to strongly stratified flow conditions. Given that the $Fr$ cannot be readily computed from direct field measurements, we propose a practical approach that can be used to infer the $Fr$ from readily measurable quantities in the field. Scaling analyses show that $Fr\propto (L_{T}/L_{O})^{-2}$ for $L_{T}/L_{O}>O(1)$, $Fr\propto (L_{T}/L_{O})^{-1}$ for $L_{T}/L_{O}\sim O(1)$, and $Fr\propto (L_{T}/L_{O})^{-2/3}$ for $L_{T}/L_{O}<O(1)$, where $L_{T}$ is the Thorpe length scale and $L_{O}$ is the Ozmidov length scale. These formulations are also tested with DNS data to highlight their validity. These novel findings could prove to be a significant breakthrough not only in providing a unifying (and practically useful) parameterization for the mixing efficiency in stably stratified turbulence but also for inferring the dynamic state of turbulence in geophysical flows.

scholarly journals On the turbulent Prandtl number in homogeneous stably stratified turbulence

2010 ◽  
Vol 644 ◽  
pp. 359-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
SUBHAS K. VENAYAGAMOORTHY ◽  
DEREK D. STRETCH
Keyword(s):  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Prandtl Number ◽  
Turbulent Kinetic Energy ◽  
Decay Time ◽  
Time Scale ◽  
Richardson Number ◽  
Stratified Flows ◽  
Length Scale ◽  
Stratified Turbulence ◽  
Turbulent Prandtl Number

In this paper, we derive a general relationship for the turbulent Prandtl number Prt for homogeneous stably stratified turbulence from the turbulent kinetic energy and scalar variance equations. A formulation for the turbulent Prandtl number, Prt, is developed in terms of a mixing length scale LM and an overturning length scale LE, the ratio of the mechanical (turbulent kinetic energy) decay time scale TL to scalar decay time scale Tρ and the gradient Richardson number Ri. We show that our formulation for Prt is appropriate even for non-stationary (developing) stratified flows, since it does not include the reversible contributions in both the turbulent kinetic energy production and buoyancy fluxes that drive the time variations in the flow. Our analysis of direct numerical simulation (DNS) data of homogeneous sheared turbulence shows that the ratio LM/LE ≈ 1 for weakly stratified flows. We show that in the limit of zero stratification, the turbulent Prandtl number is equal to the inverse of the ratio of the mechanical time scale to the scalar time scale, TL/Tρ. We use the stably stratified DNS data of Shih et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 412, 2000, pp. 1–20; J. Fluid Mech., vol. 525, 2005, pp. 193–214) to propose a new parameterization for Prt in terms of the gradient Richardson number Ri. The formulation presented here provides a general framework for calculating Prt that will be useful for turbulence closure schemes in numerical models.

scholarly journals Experiments on Differential Scalar Mixing in Turbulence in a Sheared, Stratified Flow

2014 ◽  
Vol 44 (10) ◽  
pp. 2661-2680 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Ryan Jackson ◽  
Chris R. Rehmann
Keyword(s):  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Turbulent Kinetic Energy ◽  
Kinematic Viscosity ◽  
Laboratory Experiments ◽  
Density Ratio ◽  
Eddy Diffusivity ◽  
Buoyancy Frequency ◽  
Differential Diffusion ◽  
Rate Of Dissipation ◽  
Diffusivity Ratio

Abstract Laboratory experiments were performed to measure differential diffusion of temperature and salinity across a sheared density interface. The eddy diffusivity of temperature KT exceeded the eddy diffusivity of salinity KS by as much as 1.5 orders of magnitude at low ε/νN2, where ε is the rate of dissipation of turbulent kinetic energy, ν is the kinematic viscosity, and N is the buoyancy frequency in the pycnocline. The diffusivity ratio d = KS/KT increased from about 0.05 to 1 over the range 0.1 &lt; ε/νN2 &lt; 40. These differences made the eddy diffusivity of density depend on the density ratio. The trend of d with ε/νN2 was consistent with trends found in other experiments, simulations, and theory, and the collapse of several datasets allowed the diffusivity ratio to be expressed as a function of ε/νN2. However, shear decreased differential diffusion less in the experiments than predicted by theory for homogeneous turbulence subjected to constant shear and stratification. No strong effect of the density ratio on the diffusivity ratio was apparent. Because many flows in oceanography and limnology have values of ε/νN2 low enough to exhibit significant differential diffusion, accounting for differential diffusion in interpreting measurements and modeling stratified water bodies is recommended.

Turbulent kinetic energy production and flow structures in flows past smooth and rough walls

2019 ◽  
Vol 866 ◽  
pp. 897-928 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Orlandi
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Turbulent Kinetic Energy ◽  
Turbulent Flows ◽  
Energy Production ◽  
Compressive Strain ◽  
Turnover Time ◽  
Flow Structures ◽  
Wall Region ◽  
Rate Of Dissipation

Data available in the literature from direct numerical simulations of two-dimensional turbulent channels by Lee & Moser (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 774, 2015, pp. 395–415), Bernardini et al. (J. Fluid Mech., 742, 2014, pp. 171–191), Yamamoto & Tsuji (Phys. Rev. Fluids, vol. 3, 2018, 012062) and Orlandi et al. (J. Fluid Mech., 770, 2015, pp. 424–441) in a large range of Reynolds number have been used to find that $S^{\ast }$ the ratio between the eddy turnover time ($q^{2}/\unicode[STIX]{x1D716}$, with $q^{2}$ being twice the turbulent kinetic energy and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D716}$ the isotropic rate of dissipation) and the time scale of the mean deformation ($1/S$), scales very well with the Reynolds number in the wall region. The good scaling is due to the eddy turnover time, although the turbulent kinetic energy and the rate of isotropic dissipation show a Reynolds dependence near the wall; $S^{\ast }$, as well as $-\langle Q\rangle =\langle s_{ij}s_{ji}\rangle -\langle \unicode[STIX]{x1D714}_{i}\unicode[STIX]{x1D714}_{i}/2\rangle$ are linked to the flow structures, and also the latter quantity presents a good scaling near the wall. It has been found that the maximum of turbulent kinetic energy production $P_{k}$ occurs in the layer with $-\langle Q\rangle \approx 0$, that is, where the unstable sheet-like structures roll-up to become rods. The decomposition of $P_{k}$ in the contribution of elongational and compressive strain demonstrates that the two contributions present a good scaling. However, the good scaling holds when the wall and the outer structures are separated. The same statistics have been evaluated by direct simulations of turbulent flows in the presence of different types of corrugations on both walls. The flow physics in the layer near the plane of the crests is strongly linked to the shape of the surface and it has been demonstrated that the $u_{2}$ (normal to the wall) fluctuations are responsible for the modification of the flow structures, for the increase of the resistance and of the turbulent kinetic energy production.

Use of k−ε−γ Model to Predict Intermittency in Turbulent Boundary-Layers

2000 ◽  
Vol 122 (3) ◽  
pp. 542-546 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anupam Dewan ◽  
Jaywant H. Arakeri
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Pressure Gradient ◽  
Flat Plate ◽  
Turbulent Kinetic Energy ◽  
Boundary Layers ◽  
Turbulent Boundary Layers ◽  
Rate Of Dissipation ◽  
Dissipation Equation ◽  
Averaged Model

The intermittency profile in the turbulent flat-plate zero pressure-gradient boundary-layer and a thick axisymmetric boundary-layer has been computed using the Reynolds-averaged k−ε−γ model, where k denotes turbulent kinetic energy, ε its rate of dissipation, and γ intermittency. The Reynolds-averaged model is simpler compared to the conditional model used in the literature. The dissipation equation of the Reynolds-averaged model is modified to account for the effect of entrainment. It has been shown that the model correctly predicts the observed intermittency of the flows. [S0098-2202(00)02403-2]

Measurements of diapycnal diffusivities in stratified fluids

2001 ◽  
Vol 442 ◽  
pp. 267-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
MICHAEL E. BARRY ◽  
GREGORY N. IVEY ◽  
KRAIG B. WINTERS ◽  
JÖRG IMBERGER
Keyword(s):  
Root Mean Square ◽  
Buoyancy Frequency ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Laboratory System ◽  
Mean Square ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Vertical Grid ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Rate Of Dissipation

Linearly stratified salt solutions of different Prandtl number were subjected to turbulent stirring by a horizontally oscillating vertical grid in a closed laboratory system. The experimental set-up allowed the independent direct measurement of a root mean square turbulent lengthscale Lt, turbulent diffusivity for mass Kρ, rate of dissipation of turbulent kinetic energy ε, buoyancy frequency N and viscosity v, as time and volume averaged quantities. The behaviour of both Lt and Kρ was characterized over a wide range of the turbulence intensity measure, ε/vN2, and two regimes were identified.In the more energetic of these regimes (Regime E, where 300 < ε/vN2 < 105), Lt was found to be a function of v, κ and N, whilst Kρ was a function of v, κ and (ε/vN2)1/3. From these expressions for Lt and Kρ, a scaling relation for the root mean square turbulent velocity scale Ut was derived, and this relationship showed good agreement with direct measurements from other data sets.In the weaker turbulence regime (Regime W, where 10 < ε/vN2 < 300) Kρ was a function of v, κ and ε/vN2.For 10 < ε/vN2 < 1000, our directly measured diffusivities, Kρ, are approximately a factor of 2 different to the diffusivity predicted by the model of Osborn (1980). For ε/vN2 > 1000, our measured diffusivities diverge from the model prediction. For example, at ε/vN2 ≈ 104 there is at least an order of magnitude difference between the measured and predicted diffusivities.

scholarly journals Virtual motion of real particles

2010 ◽  
Vol 650 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. TRYGGVASON
Keyword(s):  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Numerical Simulations ◽  
Turbulent Kinetic Energy ◽  
Multiphase Flows ◽  
Isotropic Turbulence ◽  
Finite Size ◽  
Direct Numerical Simulations ◽  
Spherical Particles ◽  
Length Scale ◽  
Turbulent Eddies

Direct numerical simulations are rapidly becoming one of the most important techniques to examine the dynamics of multiphase flows. Lucci, Ferrante & Elghobashi (J. Fluid Mech., 2010, this issue, vol. 650, pp. 5–55) address several fundamental issues for spherical particles in isotropic turbulence. They show the importance of including the finite size of the particles and discuss how particles of a size comparable to the largest length scale at which viscosity substantially affects the turbulent eddies (i.e. the Taylor microscale) always increase the dissipation of turbulent kinetic energy.

A Velocity and Length Scale Approach to k–ε Modeling

1996 ◽  
Vol 118 (4) ◽  
pp. 857-863 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. Kwon ◽  
F. E. Ames
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Turbulent Flows ◽  
Dissipation Rate ◽  
Eddy Viscosity ◽  
Normal Component ◽  
Transport Equations ◽  
Length Scale ◽  
Wall Region ◽  
Wide Range

This paper describes a velocity and length scale approach to low-Reynolds-number k–ε modeling, which formulates the eddy viscosity on the normal component of turbulence and a length scale. The normal component of turbulence is modeled based on the dissipation and distance from the wall and is bounded by the isotropic condition. The model accounts for the anisotropy of the dissipation and the reduced length of mixing in the near wall region. The kinetic energy and dissipation rate were computed from the k and ε transport equations of Durbin (1993). The model was tested for a wide range of turbulent flows and proved to be superior to other k–ε based models.

Stratified turbulence forced with columnar dipoles: numerical study

2015 ◽  
Vol 769 ◽  
pp. 403-443 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre Augier ◽  
Paul Billant ◽  
Jean-Marc Chomaz
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Energy Spectrum ◽  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Numerical Simulations ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Stationary Flow ◽  
Length Scale ◽  
Computational Domain ◽  
Stratified Turbulence ◽  
Kinetic Energy Spectrum

This paper builds upon the investigation of Augier et al. (Phys. Fluids, vol. 26 (4), 2014) in which a strongly stratified turbulent-like flow was forced by 12 generators of vertical columnar dipoles. In experiments, measurements start to provide evidence of the existence of a strongly stratified inertial range that has been predicted for large turbulent buoyancy Reynolds numbers $\mathscr{R}_{t}={\it\varepsilon}_{\!K}/({\it\nu}N^{2})$, where ${\it\varepsilon}_{\!K}$ is the mean dissipation rate of kinetic energy, ${\it\nu}$ the viscosity and $N$ the Brunt–Väisälä frequency. However, because of experimental constraints, the buoyancy Reynolds number could not be increased to sufficiently large values so that the inertial strongly stratified turbulent range is only incipient. In order to extend the experimental results toward higher buoyancy Reynolds number, we have performed numerical simulations of forced stratified flows. To reproduce the experimental vortex generators, columnar dipoles are periodically produced in spatial space using impulsive horizontal body force at the peripheries of the computational domain. For moderate buoyancy Reynolds number, these numerical simulations are able to reproduce the results obtained in the experiments, validating this particular forcing. For higher buoyancy Reynolds number, the simulations show that the flow becomes turbulent as observed in Brethouwer et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 585, 2007, pp. 343–368). However, the statistically stationary flow is horizontally inhomogeneous because the dipoles are destabilized quite rapidly after their generation. In order to produce horizontally homogeneous turbulence, high-resolution simulations at high buoyancy Reynolds number have been carried out with a slightly modified forcing in which dipoles are forced at random locations in the computational domain. The unidimensional horizontal spectra of kinetic and potential energies scale like $C_{1}{\it\varepsilon}_{\!K}^{2/3}k_{h}^{-5/3}$ and $C_{2}{\it\varepsilon}_{\!K}^{2/3}k_{h}^{-5/3}({\it\varepsilon}_{\!P}/{\it\varepsilon}_{\!K})$, respectively, with $C_{1}=C_{2}\simeq 0.5$ as obtained by Lindborg (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 550, 2006, pp. 207–242). However, there is a depletion in the horizontal kinetic energy spectrum for scales between the integral length scale and the buoyancy length scale and an anomalous energy excess around the buoyancy length scale probably due to direct transfers from large horizontal scale to small scales resulting from the shear and gravitational instabilities. The horizontal buoyancy flux co-spectrum increases abruptly at the buoyancy scale corroborating the presence of overturnings. Remarkably, the vertical kinetic energy spectrum exhibits a transition at the Ozmidov length scale from a steep spectrum scaling like $N^{2}k_{z}^{-3}$ at large scales to a spectrum scaling like $C_{K}{\it\varepsilon}_{\!K}^{2/3}k_{z}^{-5/3}$, with $C_{K}=1$, the classical Kolmogorov constant.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document