scholarly journals The vortex instability pathway in stratified turbulence

2013 ◽  
Vol 716 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael L. Waite
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Nonlinear Interactions ◽  
Stratified Turbulence ◽  
Transfer Energy ◽  
Columnar Vortex ◽  
Open Questions ◽  
Small Scales ◽  
Flow Transitions

AbstractThe parameter regime of strong stable density stratification and weak rotation is an important one in geophysical fluid dynamics. These conditions exist at intermediate length scales in the atmosphere and ocean (mesoscale and sub-mesoscale, respectively), and turbulence here links large-scale quasi-geostrophic motions with small-scale dissipation. While major advances in the theory of stratified turbulence have been made over the last few decades, many open questions remain, particularly about the nature of the energy cascade. Recent numerical experiments and analysis by Augier, Chomaz & Billant (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 713, 2012, pp. 86–108) present a remarkably vivid illustration of the nonlinear interactions that drive such turbulence. They consider a columnar vortex dipole, which naturally three-dimensionalizes under the influence of strong stratification. Kelvin–Helmholtz instabilities subsequently transfer energy directly to small scales, where the flow transitions into three-dimensional turbulence. This direct link between large and small scales is quite distinct from the usual picture of a turbulent cascade, in which nonlinear interactions are local in scale. But how important is this mechanism in the atmosphere and ocean?

Strong MHD helical turbulence and the nonlinear dynamo effect

1976 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 321-354 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Pouquet ◽  
U. Frisch ◽  
J. Léorat
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Magnetic Energy ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Power Laws ◽  
Inertial Range ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Mhd Turbulence ◽  
Inverse Cascade ◽  
Small Scales ◽  
Dynamo Effect

To understand the turbulent generation of large-scale magnetic fields and to advance beyond purely kinematic approaches to the dynamo effect like that introduced by Steenbeck, Krause & Radler (1966)’ a new nonlinear theory is developed for three-dimensional, homogeneous, isotropic, incompressible MHD turbulence with helicity, i.e. not statistically invariant under plane reflexions. For this, techniques introduced for ordinary turbulence in recent years by Kraichnan (1971 a)’ Orszag (1970, 1976) and others are generalized to MHD; in particular we make use of the eddy-damped quasi-normal Markovian approximation. The resulting closed equations for the evolution of the kinetic and magnetic energy and helicity spectra are studied both theoretically and numerically in situations with high Reynolds number and unit magnetic Prandtl number.Interactions between widely separated scales are much more important than for non-magnetic turbulence. Large-scale magnetic energy brings to equipartition small-scale kinetic and magnetic excitation (energy or helicity) by the ‘Alfvén effect’; the small-scale ‘residual’ helicity, which is the difference between a purely kinetic and a purely magnetic helical term, induces growth of large-scale magnetic energy and helicity by the ‘helicity effect’. In the absence of helicity an inertial range occurs with a cascade of energy to small scales; to lowest order it is a −3/2 power law with equipartition of kinetic and magnetic energy spectra as in Kraichnan (1965) but there are −2 corrections (and possibly higher ones) leading to a slight excess of magnetic energy. When kinetic energy is continuously injected, an initial seed of magnetic field will grow to approximate equipartition, at least in the small scales. If in addition kinetic helicity is injected, an inverse cascade of magnetic helicity is obtained leading to the appearance of magnetic energy and helicity in ever-increasing scales (in fact, limited by the size of the system). This inverse cascade, predicted by Frischet al.(1975), results from a competition between the helicity and Alféh effects and yields an inertial range with approximately — 1 and — 2 power laws for magnetic energy and helicity. When kinetic helicity is injected at the scale linjand the rate$\tilde{\epsilon}^V$(per unit mass), the time of build-up of magnetic energy with scaleL[Gt ] linjis$t \approx L(|\tilde{\epsilon}^V|l^2_{\rm inj})^{-1/3}.$

Dynamics of direct large-small scale couplings in coherently forced turbulence: concurrent physical- and Fourier-space views

1995 ◽  
Vol 283 ◽  
pp. 43-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. K. Yeung ◽  
James G. Brasseur ◽  
Qunzhen Wang
Keyword(s):  
Long Range ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Physical Space ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Fourier Space ◽  
Distant Interactions ◽  
Long Range Interactions ◽  
Small Scales ◽  
Non Local

As discussed in a recent paper by Brasseur & Wei (1994), scale interactions in fully developed turbulence are of two basic types in the Fourier-spectral view. The cascade of energy from large to small scales is embedded within ‘local-to-non-local’ triadic interactions separated in scale by a decade or less. ‘Distant’ triadic interactions between widely disparate scales transfer negligible energy between the largest and smallest scales, but directly modify the structure of the smallest scales in relationship to the structure of the energy-dominated large scales. Whereas cascading interactions tend to isotropize the small scales as energy moves through spectral shells from low to high wavenumbers, distant interactions redistribute energy within spectral shells in a manner that leads to anisotropic redistributions of small-scale energy and phase in response to anisotropic structure in the large scales. To study the role of long-range interactions in small-scale dynamics, Yeung & Brasseur (1991) carried out a numerical experiment in which the marginally distant triads were purposely stimulated through a coherent narrow-band anisotropic forcing at the large scales readily interpretable in both the Fourier- and physical-space views. It was found that, after one eddy turnover time, the smallest scales rapidly became anisotropic as a direct consequence of the marginally distant triadic group in a manner consistent with the distant triadic equations. Because these asymptotic equations apply in the infinite Reynolds number limit, Yeung & Brasseur argued that the observed long-range effects should be applicable also at high Reynolds numbers.We continue the analysis of forced simulations in this study, focusing (i) on the detailed three-dimensional restructuring of the small scales as predicted by the asymptotic triadic equations, and (ii) on the relationship between Fourier- and physical-space evolution during forcing. We show that the three-dimensional restructuring of small-scale energy and vorticity in Fourier space from large-scale forcing is predicted in some detail by the distant triadic equations. We find that during forcing the distant interactions alter small-scale structure in two ways: energy is redistributed anisotropically within high-wavenumber spectral shells, and phase correlations are established at the small scales by the distant interactions. In the numerical experiments, the long-range interactions create two pairs of localized volumes of concentrated energy in three-dimensional Fourier space at high wavenumbers in which the Fourier modes are phase coupled. Each pair of locally phase-correlated volumes of Fourier modes separately corresponds to aligned vortex tubes in physical space in two orthogonal directions. We show that the dynamics of distant interactions in creating small-scale anisotropy may be described in physical space by differential advection and distortion of small-scale vorticity by the coherent large-scale energy-containing eddies, producing anisotropic alignment of small-scale vortex tubes.Scaling arguments indicate a disparity in timescale between distant triadic interactions and energy-cascading local-to-non-local interactions which increases with scale separation. Consequently, the small scales respond to forcing initially through the distant interactions. However, as energy cascades from the large-scale to the small-scale Fourier modes, the stimulated distant interactions become embedded within a sea of local-to-non-local energy cascading interactions which reduce (but do not eliminate) small-scale anisotropy at later times. We find that whereas the small-scale structure is still anisotropic at these later times, the second-order velocity moment tensor is insensitive to this anisotropy. Third-order moments, on the other hand, do detect the anisotropy. We conclude that whereas a single statistical measure of anisotropy can be used to indicate the presence of anisotropy, a null result in that measure does not necessarily imply that the signal is isotropic. The results indicate that non-equilibrium non-stationary turbulence is particularly sensitive to long-range interactions and deviations from local isotropy.

scholarly journals Exploiting self-organized criticality in strongly stratified turbulence

2021 ◽  
Vol 933 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory P. Chini ◽  
Guillaume Michel ◽  
Keith Julien ◽  
Cesar B. Rocha ◽  
Colm-cille P. Caulfield
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Boussinesq Equations ◽  
Marginal Stability ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Stratified Turbulence ◽  
Self Organized ◽  
Reduced Equations ◽  
Self Organized Criticality

A multiscale reduced description of turbulent free shear flows in the presence of strong stabilizing density stratification is derived via asymptotic analysis of the Boussinesq equations in the simultaneous limits of small Froude and large Reynolds numbers. The analysis explicitly recognizes the occurrence of dynamics on disparate spatiotemporal scales, yielding simplified partial differential equations governing the coupled evolution of slow large-scale hydrostatic flows and fast small-scale isotropic instabilities and internal waves. The dynamics captured by the coupled reduced equations is illustrated in the context of two-dimensional strongly stratified Kolmogorov flow. A noteworthy feature of the reduced model is that the fluctuations are constrained to satisfy quasilinear (QL) dynamics about the comparably slowly varying large-scale fields. Crucially, this QL reduction is not invoked as an ad hoc closure approximation, but rather is derived in a physically relevant and mathematically consistent distinguished limit. Further analysis of the resulting slow–fast QL system shows how the amplitude of the fast stratified-shear instabilities is slaved to the slowly evolving mean fields to ensure the marginal stability of the latter. Physically, this marginal stability condition appears to be compatible with recent evidence of self-organized criticality in both observations and simulations of stratified turbulence. Algorithmically, the slaving of the fluctuation fields enables numerical simulations to be time-evolved strictly on the slow time scale of the hydrostatic flow. The reduced equations thus provide a solid mathematical foundation for future studies of three-dimensional strongly stratified turbulence in extreme parameter regimes of geophysical relevance and suggest avenues for new sub-grid-scale parametrizations.

Turbulent flow between counter-rotating concentric cylinders: a direct numerical simulation study

2008 ◽  
Vol 615 ◽  
pp. 371-399 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. DONG
Keyword(s):  
Turbulent Flow ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Outer Cylinder ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Taylor Vortex ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Concentric Cylinders ◽  
High Reynolds

We report three-dimensional direct numerical simulations of the turbulent flow between counter-rotating concentric cylinders with a radius ratio 0.5. The inner- and outer-cylinder Reynolds numbers have the same magnitude, which ranges from 500 to 4000 in the simulations. We show that with the increase of Reynolds number, the prevailing structures in the flow are azimuthal vortices with scales much smaller than the cylinder gap. At high Reynolds numbers, while the instantaneous small-scale vortices permeate the entire domain, the large-scale Taylor vortex motions manifested by the time-averaged field do not penetrate a layer of fluid near the outer cylinder. Comparisons between the standard Taylor–Couette system (rotating inner cylinder, fixed outer cylinder) and the counter-rotating system demonstrate the profound effects of the Coriolis force on the mean flow and other statistical quantities. The dynamical and statistical features of the flow have been investigated in detail.

Large- and small-scale vortical motions in a shear layer perturbed by tabs

1999 ◽  
Vol 382 ◽  
pp. 307-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
JUDITH K. FOSS ◽  
K. B. M. Q. ZAMAN
Keyword(s):  
Shear Layer ◽  
Pitch Angle ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Dimensional Space ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Streamwise Vortices ◽  
Streamwise Vorticity ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Scale Population

The large- and small-scale vortical motions produced by ‘delta tabs’ in a two-stream shear layer have been studied experimentally. An increase in mixing was observed when the base of the triangular shaped tab was affixed to the trailing edge of the splitter plate and the apex was pitched at some angle with respect to the flow axis. Such an arrangement produced a pair of counter-rotating streamwise vortices. Hot-wire measurements detailed the velocity, time-averaged vorticity (Ωx) and small-scale turbulence features in the three-dimensional space downstream of the tabs. The small-scale structures, whose scale corresponds to that of the peak in the dissipation spectrum, were identified and counted using the peak-valley-counting technique. The optimal pitch angle, θ, for a single tab and the optimal spanwise spacing, S, for a multiple tab array were identified. Since the goal was to increase mixing, the optimal tab configuration was determined from two properties of the flow field: (i) the large-scale motions with the maximum Ωx, and (ii) the largest number of small-scale motions in a given time period. The peak streamwise vorticity magnitude [mid ]Ωx−max[mid ] was found to have a unique relationship with the tab pitch angle. Furthermore, for all cases examined, the overall small-scale population was found to correlate directly with [mid ]Ωx−max[mid ]. Both quantities peaked at θ≈±45°. It is interesting to note that the peak magnitude of the corresponding circulation in the cross-sectional plane occurred for θ≈±90°. For an array of tabs, the two quantities also depended on the tab spacing. An array of contiguous tabs acted as a solid deflector producing the weakest streamwise vortices and the least small-scale population. For the measurement range covered, the optimal spacing was found to be S≈1.5 tab widths.

scholarly journals A Multidimensional and Multiscale Model for Pressure Analysis in a Reservoir-Pipe-Valve System

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Feng Jie Zheng ◽  
Fu Zheng Qu ◽  
Xue Guan Song
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Fluctuation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Industrial Process ◽  
Multiscale Model ◽  
Computational Time ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Cfd Model ◽  
Computationally Efficient ◽  
Proposed Model

Reservoir-pipe-valve (RPV) systems are widely used in many industrial process. The pressure in an RPV system plays an important role in the safe operation of the system, especially during the sudden operation such as rapid valve opening/closing. To investigate the pressure especially the pressure fluctuation in an RPV system, a multidimensional and multiscale model combining the method of characteristics (MOC) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method is proposed. In the model, the reservoir is modeled by a zero-dimensional virtual point, the pipe is modeled by a one-dimensional MOC, and the valve is modeled by a three-dimensional CFD model. An interface model is used to connect the multidimensional and multiscale model. Based on the model, a transient simulation of the turbulent flow in an RPV system is conducted, in which not only the pressure fluctuation in the pipe but also the detailed pressure distribution in the valve are obtained. The results show that the proposed model is in good agreement with the full CFD model in both large-scale and small-scale spaces. Moreover, the proposed model is more computationally efficient than the CFD model, which provides a feasibility in the analysis of complex RPV system within an affordable computational time.

scholarly journals A Multidimensional and Multiscale Model for Pressure Analysis in a Reservoir-Pipe-Valve System

2019 ◽  
Vol 141 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Feng Jie Zheng ◽  
Chao Yong Zong ◽  
William Dempster ◽  
Fu Zheng Qu ◽  
Xue Guan Song
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Pressure Fluctuations ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Multiscale Model ◽  
Computational Time ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Dimensional System ◽  
Cfd Model ◽  
Computationally Efficient ◽  
Proposed Model

Reservoir-pipe-valve (RPV) systems are widely used in many industrial processes. The pressure in an RPV system plays an important role in the safe operation of the system, especially during the sudden operations such as rapid valve opening or closing. To investigate the pressure response, with particular interest in the pressure fluctuations in an RPV system, a multidimensional and multiscale model combining the method of characteristics (MOC) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method is proposed. In the model, the reservoir is modeled as a zero-dimensional virtual point, the pipe is modeled as a one-dimensional system using the MOC, and the valve is modeled using a three-dimensional CFD model. An interface model is used to connect the multidimensional and multiscale model. Based on the model, a transient simulation of the turbulent flow in an RPV system is conducted in which not only the pressure fluctuation in the pipe but also the detailed pressure distribution in the valve is obtained. The results show that the proposed model is in good agreement when compared with a high fidelity CFD model used to represent both large-scale and small-scale spaces. As expected, the proposed model is significantly more computationally efficient than the CFD model. This demonstrates the feasibility of analyzing complex RPV systems within an affordable computational time.

scholarly journals The Development of Fast Response Aerodynamic Probes for Flow Measurements in Turbomachinery

1994 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger W. Ainsworth ◽  
John L. Allen ◽  
J. Julian M. Batt
Keyword(s):  
Mach Number ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Flow Direction ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Pressure Sensors ◽  
Fast Response ◽  
Rotor Blades ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Hot Wire ◽  
Flow Measurements

The advent of a new generation of transient rotating turbine simulation facilities, where engine values of Reynolds and Mach number are matched simultaneously together with the relevant rotational parameters for dimensional similitude (Dunn et al [1988], Epstein et al [1984]. Ainsworth et al [1988]), has provided the stimulus for developing improved instrumentation for investigating the aerodynamic flows in these stages. Much useful work has been conducted in the past using hot-wire and laser anemometers. However, hot-wire anemometers are prone to breakage in the high pressure flows required for correct Reynolds numbers, Furthermore some laser techniques require a longer runtime than these transient facilites permit, and generally yield velocity information only, giving no data on loss production. Advances in semiconductor aerodynamic probes are beginning to fulfil this perceived need. This paper describes advances made in the design, construction, and testing of two and three dimensional fast response aerodynamic probes, where semiconductor pressure sensors are mounted directly on the surface of the probes, using techniques which have previously been successfully used on the surface of rotor blades (Ainsworth, Dietz and Nunn [1991]). These are to be used to measure Mach number and flow direction in compressible unsteady flow regimes. In the first section, a brief review is made of the sensor and associated technology which has been developed to permit a flexible design of fast response aerodynamic probe. Following this, an extensive programme of testing large scale aerodynamic models of candidate geometries for suitable semiconductor scale probes is described, and the results of these discussed. The conclusions of these experiments, conducted for turbine representative mean and unsteady flows, yielded new information for optimising the design of the small scale semiconductor probes, in terms of probe geometry, sensor placement, and aerodynamic performance. Details are given of a range of wedge and pyramid semiconductor probes constructed, and the procedures used in calibrating and making measurements with them. Differences in performance are discussed, allowing the experimenter to choose an appropriate probe for the particular measurement required. Finally, the application of prototype semiconductor probes in a transient rotor experiment at HP turbine representative conditions is described, and the data so obtained is compared with (PD solutions of the unsteady viscous flow-field.

Triadic scale interactions in a turbulent boundary layer

2015 ◽  
Vol 767 ◽  
Author(s):  
Subrahmanyam Duvvuri ◽  
Beverley J. McKeon
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Turbulent Boundary Layer ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Velocity Signal ◽  
Small Scales ◽  
Amplitude Modulation Coefficient ◽  
Scale Turbulence ◽  
Scale Motion ◽  
Phase Relationships

AbstractA formal relationship between the skewness and the correlation coefficient of large and small scales, termed the amplitude modulation coefficient, is established for a general statistically stationary signal and is analysed in the context of a turbulent velocity signal. Both the quantities are seen to be measures of phase in triadically consistent interactions between scales of turbulence. The naturally existing phase relationships between large and small scales in a turbulent boundary layer are then manipulated by exciting a synthetic large-scale motion in the flow using a spatially impulsive dynamic wall roughness perturbation. The synthetic scale is seen to alter the phase relationships, or the degree of modulation, in a quasi-deterministic manner by exhibiting a phase-organizing influence on the small scales. The results presented provide encouragement for the development of a practical framework for favourable manipulation of energetic small-scale turbulence through large-scale inputs in a wall-bounded turbulent flow.

Some specific features of atmospheric tubulence

1962 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Oboukhov
Keyword(s):  
Atmospheric Turbulence ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Wind Tunnels ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Horizontal Scale ◽  
Rough Approximation ◽  
External Conditions ◽  
Scale Turbulence

The spectrum of atmospheric turbulence is very broad by comparison with spectra in wind tunnels. We introduce the notion of small-scale and large-scale turbulence. Small-scale turbulence consists of a set of disturbances, the scales of which do not exceed the distance to the wall and for which the hypothesis of three-dimensional isotropy is valid in a certain rough approximation. Large-scale turbulence is essentially anisotropic; the horizontal scale in the atmosphere is much larger than the vertical one, the latter being confined to a certain characteristic height H. The horizontal scale varies widely according to the external conditions and characteristics of the medium.

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