scholarly journals Wind–Wave Misalignment Effects on Langmuir Turbulence in Tropical Cyclone Conditions

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (12) ◽  
pp. 3109-3126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dong Wang ◽  
Tobias Kukulka ◽  
Brandon G. Reichl ◽  
Tetsu Hara ◽  
Isaac Ginis
Keyword(s):  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Turbulent Kinetic Energy ◽  
Reynolds Stress ◽  
Wind Wave ◽  
Stokes Drift ◽  
Scaling Analysis ◽  
Surface Boundary ◽  
Langmuir Turbulence ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Momentum Budget

AbstractThis study utilizes a large-eddy simulation (LES) approach to systematically assess the directional variability of wave-driven Langmuir turbulence (LT) in the ocean surface boundary layer (OSBL) under tropical cyclones (TCs). The Stokes drift vector, which drives LT through the Craik–Leibovich vortex force, is obtained through spectral wave simulations. LT’s direction is identified by horizontally elongated turbulent structures and objectively determined from horizontal autocorrelations of vertical velocities. In spite of a TC’s complex forcing with great wind and wave misalignments, this study finds that LT is approximately aligned with the wind. This is because the Reynolds stress and the depth-averaged Lagrangian shear (Eulerian plus Stokes drift shear) that are key in determining the LT intensity (determined by normalized depth-averaged vertical velocity variances) and direction are also approximately aligned with the wind relatively close to the surface. A scaling analysis of the momentum budget suggests that the Reynolds stress is approximately constant over a near-surface layer with predominant production of turbulent kinetic energy by Stokes drift shear, which is confirmed from the LES results. In this layer, Stokes drift shear, which dominates the Lagrangian shear, is aligned with the wind because of relatively short, wind-driven waves. On the contrary, Stokes drift exhibits considerable amount of misalignments with the wind. This wind–wave misalignment reduces LT intensity, consistent with a simple turbulent kinetic energy model. Our analysis shows that both the Reynolds stress and LT are aligned with the wind for different reasons: the former is dictated by the momentum budget, while the latter is controlled by wind-forced waves.

Wind andWave-Driven Reynolds Stress and Velocity Shear in the Upper Ocean for Idealized MisalignedWind-Wave Conditions

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dong Wang ◽  
Tobias Kukulka
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Stress ◽  
Wind Wave ◽  
Velocity Shear ◽  
Stokes Drift ◽  
Upper Ocean ◽  
Surface Boundary ◽  
Surface Boundary Layer ◽  
Complex Relation ◽  
Eddy Simulation ◽  
Wave Conditions

AbstractThis study investigates the dynamics of velocity shear and Reynolds stress in the ocean surface boundary layer for idealized misaligned wind and wave fields using a large eddy simulation (LES) model based on the Craik-Leibovich equations, which captures Langmuir turbulence (LT). To focus on the role of LT, the LES experiments omit the Coriolis force, which obscures a stress-current-relation analysis. Furthermore, a vertically uniform body force is imposed so that the volume-averaged Eulerian flow does not accelerate but is steady. All simulations are first spun-up without wind-wave misalignment to reach a fully-developed stationary turbulent state. Then, a crosswind Stokes drift profile is abruptly imposed, which drives crosswind stresses and associated crosswind currents without generating volume-averaged crosswind currents. The flow evolves to a new stationary state, in which the crosswind Reynolds stress vanishes while the crosswind Eulerian shear and Stokes drift shear are still present, yielding a misalignment between Reynolds stress and Lagrangian shear (sum of Eulerian current and Stokes drift). A Reynolds stress budgets analysis reveals a balance between stress production and velocity-pressure-gradient terms (VPG) that encloses crosswind Eulerian shear, demonstrating a complex relation between shear and stress. In addition, the misalignment between Reynolds stress and Eulerian shear generates a horizontal turbulent momentum flux (due to correlations of along-wind and crosswind turbulent velocities) that can be important in producing Reynolds stress (due to correlations of horizontal and vertical turbulent velocities). Thus, details of the Reynolds stress production by Eulerian and Stokes drift shear may be critical for driving upper ocean currents and for accurate turbulence parameterizations in misaligned wind-wave conditions.

scholarly journals Wave-turbulence scaling in the ocean mixed layer

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 3761-3793
Author(s):  
G. Sutherland ◽  
K. H. Christensen ◽  
B. Ward
Keyword(s):  
Energy Dissipation ◽  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Turbulent Kinetic Energy ◽  
Mixed Layer ◽  
Mixed Layer Depth ◽  
Energy Dissipation Rate ◽  
Wall Layer ◽  
Stokes Drift ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Oceanic Boundary Layer

Abstract. Microstructure measurements were collected using an autonomous freely rising profiler under a variety of different atmospheric forcing and sea states in the open ocean. Here, profiles of turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rate, ε, are compared with various proposed scalings. In the oceanic boundary layer, the depth dependence of ε was found to be consistent with that expected for a purely shear-driven wall layer. This is in contrast with many recent studies which suggest higher rates of turbulent kinetic energy dissipation in the near surface of the ocean. However, many dissipation profiles scaled with a Stokes drift-generated shear, suggesting there may be occasions where the shear in the mixed layer are dominated by wave-induced currents, which often causes turbulence to extend beyond the mixed layer depth. Integrating ε in the mixed layer yielded results that 1% of the wind power referenced to 10 m is being dissipated here.

scholarly journals Diurnal Dynamics of the Umov Kinetic Energy Density Vector in the Atmospheric Boundary Layer from Minisodar Measurements

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 1347
Author(s):  
Alexander Potekaev ◽  
Nikolay Krasnenko ◽  
Liudmila Shamanaeva
Keyword(s):  
Energy Density ◽  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Turbulent Kinetic Energy ◽  
Energy Flux ◽  
Wind Effect ◽  
Kinetic Energy Density ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Density Vector ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Umov Vector

The diurnal hourly dynamics of the kinetic energy flux density vector, called the Umov vector, and the mean and turbulent components of the kinetic energy are estimated from minisodar measurements of wind vector components and their variances in the lower 200-meter layer of the atmosphere. During a 24-hour period of continuous minisodar observations, it was established that the mean kinetic energy density dominated in the surface atmospheric layer at altitudes below ~50 m. At altitudes from 50 to 100 m, the relative contributions of the mean and turbulent wind kinetic energy densities depended on the time of the day and the sounding altitude. At altitudes below 100 m, the contribution of the turbulent kinetic energy component is small, and the ratio of the turbulent to mean wind kinetic energy components was in the range 0.01–10. At altitudes above 100 m, the turbulent kinetic energy density sharply increased, and the ratio reached its maximum equal to 100–1000 at altitudes of 150–200 m. A particular importance of the direction and magnitude of the wind effect, that is, of the direction and magnitude of the Umov vector at different altitudes was established. The diurnal behavior of the Umov vector depended both on the time of the day and the sounding altitude. Three layers were clearly distinguished: a near-surface layer at altitudes of 5–15 m, an intermediate layer at altitudes from 15 m to 150 m, and the layer of enhanced turbulence above. The feasibility is illustrated of detecting times and altitudes of maximal and minimal wing kinetic energy flux densities, that is, time periods and altitude ranges most and least favorable for flights of unmanned aerial vehicles. The proposed novel method of determining the spatiotemporal dynamics of the Umov vector from minisodar measurements can also be used to estimate the effect of wind on high-rise buildings and the energy potential of wind turbines.

A revisit of the equilibrium assumption for predicting near-wall turbulence

2014 ◽  
Vol 760 ◽  
pp. 304-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farid Karimpour ◽  
Subhas K. Venayagamoorthy
Keyword(s):  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Turbulent Kinetic Energy ◽  
Reynolds Stress ◽  
Turbulent Viscosity ◽  
Wall Turbulence ◽  
Wall Region ◽  
Turbulence Decay ◽  
Prime 2 ◽  
Near Wall Turbulence ◽  
Near Wall

AbstractIn this study, we revisit the consequence of assuming equilibrium between the rates of production ($P$) and dissipation $({\it\epsilon})$ of the turbulent kinetic energy $(k)$ in the highly anisotropic and inhomogeneous near-wall region. Analytical and dimensional arguments are made to determine the relevant scales inherent in the turbulent viscosity (${\it\nu}_{t}$) formulation of the standard $k{-}{\it\epsilon}$ model, which is one of the most widely used turbulence closure schemes. This turbulent viscosity formulation is developed by assuming equilibrium and use of the turbulent kinetic energy $(k)$ to infer the relevant velocity scale. We show that such turbulent viscosity formulations are not suitable for modelling near-wall turbulence. Furthermore, we use the turbulent viscosity $({\it\nu}_{t})$ formulation suggested by Durbin (Theor. Comput. Fluid Dyn., vol. 3, 1991, pp. 1–13) to highlight the appropriate scales that correctly capture the characteristic scales and behaviour of $P/{\it\epsilon}$ in the near-wall region. We also show that the anisotropic Reynolds stress ($\overline{u^{\prime }v^{\prime }}$) is correlated with the wall-normal, isotropic Reynolds stress ($\overline{v^{\prime 2}}$) as $-\overline{u^{\prime }v^{\prime }}=c_{{\it\mu}}^{\prime }(ST_{L})(\overline{v^{\prime 2}})$, where $S$ is the mean shear rate, $T_{L}=k/{\it\epsilon}$ is the turbulence (decay) time scale and $c_{{\it\mu}}^{\prime }$ is a universal constant. ‘A priori’ tests are performed to assess the validity of the propositions using the direct numerical simulation (DNS) data of unstratified channel flow of Hoyas & Jiménez (Phys. Fluids, vol. 18, 2006, 011702). The comparisons with the data are excellent and confirm our findings.

Two-equation turbulence modeling of an oscillatory boundary layer under steep pressure gradient

2010 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 648-656 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmad Sana ◽  
Hitoshi Tanaka
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Pressure Gradient ◽  
Turbulent Kinetic Energy ◽  
Reynolds Stress ◽  
Turbulence Modeling ◽  
Turbulence Models ◽  
Detailed Comparison ◽  
Stream Velocity ◽  
Oscillatory Boundary Layer

A total of seven versions of two-equation turbulence models (four versions of low Reynolds number k–ε model, one k–ω model and two versions of k–ε / k–ω blended models) are tested against the direct numerical simulation (DNS) data of a one-dimensional oscillatory boundary layer with flat crested free-stream velocity that results from a steep pressure gradient. A detailed comparison has been made for cross-stream velocity, turbulent kinetic energy (TKE), Reynolds stress, and ratio of Reynolds stress and turbulent kinetic energy. It is observed that the newer versions of k–ε model perform very well in predicting the velocity, turbulent kinetic energy, and Reynolds stress. The k–ω model and blended models underestimate the peak value of turbulent kinetic energy that may be explained by the Reynolds stress to TKE ratio in the logarithmic zone. The maximum bottom shear stress is well predicted by the k–ε model proposed by Sana et al. and the original k–ω model.

Pseudo-turbulent gas-phase velocity fluctuations in homogeneous gas–solid flow: fixed particle assemblies and freely evolving suspensions

2015 ◽  
Vol 770 ◽  
pp. 210-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Mehrabadi ◽  
S. Tenneti ◽  
R. Garg ◽  
S. Subramaniam
Keyword(s):  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Phase Velocity ◽  
Turbulent Kinetic Energy ◽  
Gas Phase ◽  
Reynolds Stress ◽  
Slip Velocity ◽  
Volume Fraction ◽  
Velocity Fluctuations ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Particle Assemblies

Gas-phase velocity fluctuations due to mean slip velocity between the gas and solid phases are quantified using particle-resolved direct numerical simulation. These fluctuations are termed pseudo-turbulent because they arise from the interaction of particles with the mean slip even in ‘laminar’ gas–solid flows. The contribution of turbulent and pseudo-turbulent fluctuations to the level of gas-phase velocity fluctuations is quantified in initially ‘laminar’ and turbulent flow past fixed random particle assemblies of monodisperse spheres. The pseudo-turbulent kinetic energy $k^{(f)}$ in steady flow is then characterized as a function of solid volume fraction ${\it\phi}$ and the Reynolds number based on the mean slip velocity $\mathit{Re}_{m}$. Anisotropy in the Reynolds stress is quantified by decomposing it into isotropic and deviatoric parts, and its dependence on ${\it\phi}$ and $Re_{m}$ is explained. An algebraic stress model is proposed that captures the dependence of the Reynolds stress on ${\it\phi}$ and $Re_{m}$. Gas-phase velocity fluctuations in freely evolving suspensions undergoing elastic and inelastic particle collisions are also quantified. The flow corresponds to homogeneous gas–solid systems, with high solid-to-gas density ratio and particle diameter greater than dissipative length scales. It is found that for the parameter values considered here, the level of pseudo-turbulence differs by only 15 % from the values for equivalent fixed beds. The principle of conservation of interphase turbulent kinetic energy transfer is validated by quantifying the interphase transfer terms in the evolution equations of kinetic energy for the gas-phase and solid-phase fluctuating velocity. It is found that the collisional dissipation is negligible compared with the viscous dissipation for the cases considered in this study where the freely evolving suspensions attain a steady state starting from an initial condition where the particles are at rest.

scholarly journals Climatic Variability of Near-Surface Turbulent Kinetic Energy over the United States: Implications for Fire-Weather Predictions

2013 ◽  
Vol 52 (4) ◽  
pp. 753-772 ◽  
Author(s):  
Warren E. Heilman ◽  
Xindi Bian
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Turbulent Kinetic Energy ◽  
Atmospheric Turbulence ◽  
Climatic Variability ◽  
Fire Behavior ◽  
The United States ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Variability ◽  
Fire Weather ◽  
Near Surface

AbstractRecent research suggests that high levels of ambient near-surface atmospheric turbulence are often associated with rapid and sometimes erratic wildland fire spread that may eventually lead to large burn areas. Previous research has also examined the feasibility of using near-surface atmospheric turbulent kinetic energy (TKEs) alone or in combination with the Haines index (HI) as an additional indicator of anomalous atmospheric conditions conducive to erratic or extreme fire behavior. However, the application of TKEs-based indices for operational fire-weather predictions in the United States on a regional or national basis first requires a climatic assessment of the spatial and temporal patterns of the indices that can then be used for testing their operational effectiveness. This study provides an initial examination of some of the spatial and temporal variability patterns across the United States of TKEs and the product of HI and TKEs (HITKEs) using data from the North American Regional Reanalysis dataset covering the 1979–2008 period. The analyses suggest that there are regional differences in the behavior of these indices and that regionally dependent threshold values for TKEs and HITKEs may be needed for their potential use as operational indicators of anomalous atmospheric turbulence conditions conducive to erratic fire behavior. The analyses also indicate that broad areas within the northeastern, southeastern, and southwestern regions of the United States have experienced statistically significant positive trends in TKEs and HITKEs values over the 1979–2008 period, with the most substantial increases in values occurring over the 1994–2008 period.

scholarly journals A Statistical Evaluation of WRF-LES Trace Gas Dispersion Using Project Prairie Grass Measurements

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Rybchuk ◽  
Caroline B. Alden ◽  
Julie K. Lundquist ◽  
Gregory B. Rieker
Keyword(s):  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Natural Gas ◽  
Turbulent Kinetic Energy ◽  
Similarity Theory ◽  
Trace Gas ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Gas Dispersion ◽  
Prairie Grass ◽  
Strong Convection ◽  
The Impact

AbstractIn recent years, new measurement systems have been deployed to monitor and quantify methane emissions from the natural gas sector. Large-eddy simulation (LES) has complemented measurement campaigns by serving as a controlled environment in which to study plume dynamics and sampling strategies. However, with few comparisons to controlled-release experiments, the accuracy of LES for modeling natural gas emissions is poorly characterized. In this paper, we evaluate LES from the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model against Project Prairie Grass campaign measurements and surface layer similarity theory. Using WRF-LES, we simulate continuous emissions from 30 near-surface trace gas sources in two stability regimes: strong and weak convection. We examine the impact of grid resolutions ranging from 6.25 m to 52 m in the horizontal dimension on model results. We evaluate performance in a statistical framework, calculating fractional bias and conducting Welch’s t-tests. WRF-LES accurately simulates observed surface concentrations at 100 m and beyond under strong convection; simulated concentrations pass t-tests in this region irrespective of grid resolution. However, in weakly convective conditions with strong winds, WRF-LES substantially overpredicts concentrations – the magnitude of fractional bias often exceeds 30%, and all but one C-test fails. The good performance of WRF-LES under strong convection correlates with agreement with local free convection theory and a minimal amount of parameterized turbulent kinetic energy. The poor performance under weak convection corresponds to misalignment with Monin-Obukhov similarity theory and a significant amount of parameterized turbulent kinetic energy.

On Measuring the Terms of the Turbulent Kinetic Energy Budget from an AUV

2006 ◽  
Vol 23 (7) ◽  
pp. 977-990 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louis Goodman ◽  
Edward R. Levine ◽  
Rolf G. Lueck
Keyword(s):  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Turbulent Kinetic Energy ◽  
Reynolds Stress ◽  
Vertical Velocity ◽  
Autonomous Underwater Vehicle ◽  
Temperature Fluctuations ◽  
Transverse Component ◽  
Vertical Flux ◽  
Vertical Shear ◽  
Statistical Uncertainty

Abstract The terms of the steady-state, homogeneous turbulent kinetic energy budgets are obtained from measurements of turbulence and fine structure from the small autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) Remote Environmental Measuring Units (REMUS). The transverse component of Reynolds stress and the vertical flux of heat are obtained from the correlation of vertical and transverse horizontal velocity, and the correlation of vertical velocity and temperature fluctuations, respectively. The data were obtained using a turbulence package, with two shear probes, a fast-response thermistor, and three accelerometers. To obtain the vector horizontal Reynolds stress, a generalized eddy viscosity formulation is invoked. This allows the downstream component of the Reynolds stress to be related to the transverse component by the direction of the finescale vector vertical shear. The Reynolds stress and the vector vertical shear then allow an estimate of the rate of production of turbulent kinetic energy (TKE). Heat flux is obtained by correlating the vertical velocity with temperature fluctuations obtained from the FP-07 thermistor. The buoyancy flux term is estimated from the vertical flux of heat with the assumption of a constant temperature–salinity (T–S) relationship. Turbulent dissipation is obtained directly from the usage of shear probes. A multivariate correction procedure is developed to remove vehicle motion and vibration contamination from the estimates of the TKE terms. A technique is also developed to estimate the statistical uncertainty of using this estimation technique for the TKE budget terms. Within the statistical uncertainty of the estimates herein, the TKE budget on average closes for measurements taken in the weakly stratified waters at the entrance to Long Island Sound. In the strongly stratified waters of Narragansett Bay, the TKE budget closes when the buoyancy Reynolds number exceeds 20, an indicator and threshold for the initiation of turbulence in stratified conditions. A discussion is made regarding the role of the turbulent kinetic energy length scale relative to the length of the AUV in obtaining these estimates, and in the TKE budget closure.

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