scholarly journals Dynamics of helicity in homogeneous skew-isotropic turbulence

2017 ◽  
Vol 821 ◽  
pp. 539-581 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antoine Briard ◽  
Thomas Gomez
Keyword(s):  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Isotropic Turbulence ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Helical Structure ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Inertial Range ◽  
Scalar Flux ◽  
Antisymmetric Part ◽  
Decaying Turbulence ◽  
High Reynolds

The dynamics of helicity in homogeneous skew-isotropic freely decaying turbulence is investigated, at very high Reynolds numbers, thanks to a classical eddy-damped quasi-normal Markovian (EDQNM) closure. In agreement with previous direct numerical simulations, a $k^{-5/3}$ inertial range is obtained for both the kinetic energy and helical spectra. In the early stage of the decay, when kinetic energy, initially only present at large scales cascades towards small scales, it is found that helicity slightly slows down the nonlinear transfers. Then, when the turbulence is fully developed, theoretical decay exponents are derived and assessed numerically for helicity. Furthermore, it is found that the presence of helicity does not modify the decay rate of the kinetic energy with respect to purely isotropic turbulence, except in Batchelor turbulence where the kinetic energy decays slightly more rapidly. In this case, non-local expansions are used to show analytically that the permanence of the large eddies hypothesis is verified for the helical spectrum, unlike the kinetic energy one. Moreover, the $4/3$ law for the two-point helical structure function is assessed numerically at very large Reynolds numbers. Afterwards, the evolution equation of the helicity dissipation rate is investigated analytically, which provides significant simplifications and leads notably to the definition of a helical derivative skewness and of a helical Taylor scale, which is numerically very close to the classical Taylor longitudinal scale at large Reynolds numbers. Finally, when both a mean scalar gradient and helicity are combined, the quadrature spectrum, linked to the antisymmetric part of the scalar flux, appears and scales like $k^{-7/3}$ and then like $k^{-5/3}$ in the inertial range.

scholarly journals Spectral modelling for passive scalar dynamics in homogeneous anisotropic turbulence

2016 ◽  
Vol 799 ◽  
pp. 159-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Briard ◽  
T. Gomez ◽  
C. Cambon
Keyword(s):  
Isotropic Turbulence ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Passive Scalar ◽  
Homogeneous Isotropic Turbulence ◽  
Scalar Flux ◽  
Anisotropic Turbulence ◽  
Theoretical Predictions ◽  
High Reynolds ◽  
Shear Driven Flows ◽  
Very High

The present work aims at developing a spectral model for a passive scalar field and its associated scalar flux in homogeneous anisotropic turbulence. This is achieved using the paradigm of eddy-damped quasi-normal Markovian (EDQNM) closure extended to anisotropic flows. In order to assess the validity of this approach, the model is compared to several detailed direct numerical simulations (DNS) and experiments of shear-driven flows and isotropic turbulence with a mean scalar gradient at moderate Reynolds numbers. This anisotropic modelling is then used to investigate the passive scalar dynamics at very high Reynolds numbers. In the framework of homogeneous isotropic turbulence submitted to a mean scalar gradient, decay and growth exponents for the cospectrum and scalar energies are obtained analytically and assessed numerically thanks to EDQNM closure. With the additional presence of a mean shear, the scaling of the scalar flux and passive scalar spectra in the inertial range are investigated and confirm recent theoretical predictions. Finally, it is found that, in shear-driven flows, the small scales of the scalar second-order moments progressively return to isotropy when the Reynolds number increases.

scholarly journals The decay of isotropic magnetohydrodynamics turbulence and the effects of cross-helicity

2018 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Antoine Briard ◽  
Thomas Gomez
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Energy Spectrum ◽  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Total Energy ◽  
Isotropic Turbulence ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Inertial Range ◽  
Mhd Turbulence ◽  
Previous Prediction

Decaying homogeneous and isotropic magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) turbulence is investigated numerically at large Reynolds numbers thanks to the eddy-damped quasi-normal Markovian (EDQNM) approximation. Without any background mean magnetic field, the total energy spectrum $E$ scales as $k^{-3/2}$ in the inertial range as a consequence of the modelling. Moreover, the total energy is shown, both analytically and numerically, to decay at the same rate as kinetic energy in hydrodynamic isotropic turbulence: this differs from a previous prediction, and thus physical arguments are proposed to reconcile both results. Afterwards, the MHD turbulence is made imbalanced by an initial non-zero cross-helicity. A spectral modelling is developed for the velocity–magnetic correlation in a general homogeneous framework, which reveals that cross-helicity can contain subtle anisotropic effects. In the inertial range, as the Reynolds number increases, the slope of the cross-helical spectrum becomes closer to $k^{-5/3}$ than $k^{-2}$. Furthermore, the Elsässer spectra deviate from $k^{-3/2}$ with cross-helicity at large Reynolds numbers. Regarding the pressure spectrum $E_{P}$, its kinetic and magnetic parts are found to scale with $k^{-2}$ in the inertial range, whereas the part due to cross-helicity rather scales in $k^{-7/3}$. Finally, the two $4/3$rd laws for the total energy and cross-helicity are assessed numerically at large Reynolds numbers.

scholarly journals Revisiting Batchelor's theory of two-dimensional turbulence

2007 ◽  
Vol 591 ◽  
pp. 379-391 ◽  
Author(s):  
DAVID G. DRITSCHEL ◽  
CHUONG V. TRAN ◽  
RICHARD K. SCOTT
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Mathematical Analysis ◽  
High Reynolds Number ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Inertial Range ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Simple Modification ◽  
High Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Decaying Turbulence ◽  
High Reynolds

Recent mathematical results have shown that a central assumption in the theory of two-dimensional turbulence proposed by Batchelor (Phys. Fluids, vol. 12, 1969, p. 233) is false. That theory, which predicts a χ2/3k−1 enstrophy spectrum in the inertial range of freely-decaying turbulence, and which has evidently been successful in describing certain aspects of numerical simulations at high Reynolds numbers Re, assumes that there is a finite, non-zero enstrophy dissipation χ in the limit of infinite Re. This, however, is not true for flows having finite vorticity. The enstrophy dissipation in fact vanishes.We revisit Batchelor's theory and propose a simple modification of it to ensure vanishing χ in the limit Re → ∞. Our proposal is supported by high Reynolds number simulations which confirm that χ decays like 1/ln Re, and which, following the time of peak enstrophy dissipation, exhibit enstrophy spectra containing an increasing proportion of the total enstrophy 〈ω2〉/2 in the inertial range as Re increases. Together with the mathematical analysis of vanishing χ, these observations motivate a straightforward and, indeed, alarmingly simple modification of Batchelor's theory: just replace Batchelor's enstrophy spectrum χ2/3k−1 with 〈ω2〉 k−1 (ln Re)−1).

Numerical calculation of decaying isotropic turbulence using the LET theory

1984 ◽  
Vol 143 ◽  
pp. 95-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. D. Mccomb ◽  
V. Shanmugasundaram
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Energy Transfer ◽  
Energy Dissipation ◽  
Isotropic Turbulence ◽  
Direct Interaction ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Energy Dissipation Rate ◽  
Skewness Factor ◽  
Decaying Turbulence ◽  
High Reynolds

The local-energy-transfer (LET) theory (McComb 1978) was used to calculate freely decaying turbulence for four different initial spectra at low-to-moderate values of microscale Reynolds numbers (Rλ up to about 40). The results for energy, dissipation and energy-transfer spectra and for skewness factor all agreed quite closely with the predictions of the well-known direct-interaction approximation (DIA: Kraichnan 1964). However, LET gave higher values of energy transfer and of evolved skewness factor than DIA. This may be related to the fact that LET yields the k−5/3 law for the energy spectrum at infinite Reynolds number.The LET equations were then integrated numerically for decaying isotropic turbulence at high Reynolds number. Values were obtained for the wavenumber spectra of energy, dissipation rate and inertial-transfer rate, along with the associated integral parameters, at an evolved microscale Reynolds number Rλ of 533. The predictions of LET agreed well with experimental results and with the Lagrangian-history theories (Herring & Kraichnan 1979). In particular, the purely Eulerian LET theory was found to agree rather closely with the strain-based Lagrangian-history approximation; and further comparisons suggested that this agreement extended to low Reynolds numbers as well.

Fully developed MHD turbulence near critical magnetic Reynolds number

1981 ◽  
Vol 104 ◽  
pp. 419-443 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Léorat ◽  
A. Pouquet ◽  
U. Frisch
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Isotropic Turbulence ◽  
Magnetic Energy ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Magnetic Reynolds Number ◽  
Mhd Equations ◽  
Liquid Sodium ◽  
Turbulent Heat ◽  
Mhd Turbulence

Liquid-sodium-cooled breeder reactors may soon be operating at magnetic Reynolds numbers RM where magnetic fields can be self-excited by a dynamo mechanism (as first suggested by Bevir 1973). Such flows have kinetic Reynolds numbers RV of the order of 107 and are therefore highly turbulent.This leads us to investigate the behaviour of MHD turbulence with high RV and low magnetic Prandtl numbers. We use the eddy-damped quasi-normal Markovian closure applied to the MHD equations. For simplicity we restrict ourselves to homogeneous and isotropic turbulence, but we do include helicity.We obtain a critical magnetic Reynolds number RMc of the order of a few tens (non-helical case) above which magnetic energy is present. RMc is practically independent of RV (in the range 40 to 106). RMc can be considerably decreased by the presence of helicity: when the overall size of the flow L is much larger than the integral scale l0, RMc can drop below unity as suggested by an α-effect argument. When L ≈ l0 the drop can still be substantial (factor of 6) when helicity is a maximum. We examine how the turbulence is modified when RM crosses RMc: presence of magnetic energy, decreased kinetic energy, steepening of kinetic-energy spectrum, etc.We make no attempt to obtain quantitative estimates for a breeder reactor, but discuss some of the possible consequences of exceeding RMc, such as decreased turbulent heat transport. More precise information may be obtained from numerical simulations and experiments (including some in the subcritical regime).

scholarly journals Numerical study of pressure and velocity fluctuations in nearly isotropic turbulence

1978 ◽  
Vol 88 (4) ◽  
pp. 685-709 ◽  
Author(s):  
U. Schumann ◽  
G. S. Patterson
Keyword(s):  
Isotropic Turbulence ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Pressure Fluctuations ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Companion Paper ◽  
Real Space ◽  
Pressure Gradients ◽  
Velocity Statistics ◽  
Decaying Turbulence

The spectral method of Orszag & Patterson has been extended to calculate the static pressure fluctuations in incompressible homogeneous decaying turbulence at Reynolds numbers Reλ [lsim ] 35. In real space 323 points are treated. Several cases starting from different isotropic initial conditions have been studied. Some departure from isotropy exists owing to the small number of modes at small wavenumbers. Root-mean-square pressure fluctuations, pressure gradients and integral length scales have been evaluated. The results agree rather well with predictions based on velocity statistics and on the assumption of normality. The normality assumption has been tested extensively for the simulated fields and found to be approximately valid as far as fourth-order velocity correlations are concerned. In addition, a model for the dissipation tensor has been proposed. The application of the present method to the study of the return of axisymmetric turbulence to isotropy is described in the companion paper.

Velocity-derivative skewness and two-time velocity correlations of isotropic turbulence as predicted by the LET theory

1989 ◽  
Vol 208 ◽  
pp. 91-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. D. Mccomb ◽  
V. Shanmugasundaram ◽  
P. Hutchinson
Keyword(s):  
Isotropic Turbulence ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Direct Interaction ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Time Correlation ◽  
General Belief ◽  
Direct Interaction Approximation ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Decaying Turbulence ◽  
Interaction Approximation

The local-energy-transfer (LET) theory was used to calculate freely decaying turbulence for arbitrary initial conditions over a range of microscale-based Reynolds numbers 0.5 [les ] Rλ(tf) [les ] 1009, where tf is the final time of computation. The predicted skewness factor S(Rλ) agreed closely with the results of numerical simulations at low-to-moderate Reynolds numbers and followed the same general trend at larger values of Rλ. It was also found that, for Rλ(tf) [les ] 5, the LET calculation was almost indistinguishable from that of the direct-interaction approximation (DIA), with the difference between the two theories tending to zero as Rλ(tf)∞ 0.Two-time correlation and propagator (or response) functions were also obtained. Tests of their scaling behaviour suggest that, contrary to general belief, the convective sweeping of the energy-containing range is much less important than the Kolmogorov timescale in determining inertial-range behaviour. This result raises questions about the accepted explanation for the failure of the direct-interaction approximation, thus motivating a discussion about the relevance of random Galilean invariance (RGI). It is argued that, for a properly constructed ensemble of transformations to inertial frames, invariance in every realization necessarily implies RGI. It is suggested that the defects of the direct-interaction approximation can be understood in terms of a failure to renormalize the stirring forces.

Experimental evidence for the theory of local isotropy

1948 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 560-565 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. A. Townsend ◽  
Geoffrey Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Isotropic Turbulence ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Velocity Correlation ◽  
Integral Scale ◽  
Local Isotropy ◽  
High Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Skewness Factor ◽  
High Reynolds ◽  
Image Position

Some new measurements of isotropic turbulence produced behind a biplane grid have been made at high Reynolds numbers, and these results are compared with the predictions of the theory of local isotropy developed by A. N. Kolmogoroff. The transverse double-velocity correlation has been measured at mesh Reynolds numbers up to 3·2 × 105, and the observed form agrees well with the predicted form. Measurements of the skewness factor of velocity differences over finite intervals have also been made, and the factor is nearly constant and equal to −0·38, if the interval is small compared with the integral scale. The invariance of dimensionless functions of the velocity derivatives has been confirmed for the flattening factor of ∂u/∂x, namely,which is nearly constant over a wide range of conditions. It is concluded that the theory of local isotropy is substantially correct for isotropic turbulence of high Reynolds number.

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