Predicting transport by Lagrangian coherent structures with a high-order method

Recent developments in identifying Lagrangian coherent structures from finite-time velocity data have provided a theoretical basis for understanding chaotic transport in general flows with aperiodic dependence on time. As these theoretical developments are extended and applied to more complex flows, an accurate and general numerical method for computing these structures is needed to exploit these ideas for engineering applications. We present an unstructured high-order hp/spectral-element method for solving the two-dimensional compressible form of the Navier–Stokes equations. A corresponding high-order particle tracking method is also developed for extracting the Lagrangian coherent structures from the numerically computed velocity fields. Two different techniques are used; the first computes the direct Lyapunov exponent from an unstructured initial particle distribution, providing easier resolution of structures located close to physical boundaries, whereas the second advects a small material line initialized close to a Lagrangian saddle point to delineate these structures. We demonstrate our algorithm on simulations of a bluff-body flow at a Reynolds number of Re = 150 and a Mach number of M = 0.2 with and without flow forcing. We show that, in the unforced flow, periodic vortex shedding is predicted by our numerical simulations that is in stark contrast to the aperiodic flow field in the case with forcing. An analysis of the Lagrangian structures reveals a transport barrier that inhibits cross-wake transport in the unforced flow. The transport barrier is broken with forcing, producing enhanced transport properties by chaotic advection and consequently improved mixing of advected scalars within the wake.     

Modeling of Langmuir Circulation: Triple Decomposition of the Craik–Leibovich Model

Turbulent shear flows on shallow continental shelves (here shallow means that the interaction with the solid, no-slip bottom is important) are of great importance because of their role in vertical mixing as well as on the transport of sediment and bioactive material. The presence of a wavefield in these areas can lead to the appearance of Langmuir circulation which is known to strongly affect the dynamics of a turbulent flow. To investigate those dynamical effects within a RANS-type modeling framework, we apply a triple decompostion to the LES results of Langmuir circulation in order to further isolate the coherent structures from fluctuating velocity field. The results are compared to the classical double-decomposition. In contrast to the double-decomposition framework, the triple-decompostion more effectively educes the coherent structure field and quantifies the need to take into account the energy exchange between the coherent and random fluctuations as well as the overall impact of the coherent structures on the turbulence dynamics.     

二维混合层拟序结构的直接数值模拟

本文是在文[1]的基础上,引用Cain等人(1981)提出的映射函数将无穷远的边界变换到有限距离处,用伪谱方法对N-S方程组进行直接数值模拟,研究时间发展的二维混合层的不稳定性,再现了大涡的卷起,涡对的合并与撕裂以及三个涡、四个涡之间的相互作用过程,并将过程进行了动态显示。     

Large eddy simulation of flows after a bluff body: Coherent structures and mixing properties

This paper performs large eddy simulations (LES) to investigate coherent structures in the flows after the Sydney bluff-body burner, a circular bluff body with an orifice at its center. The simulations are validated by comparison to existing experimental data. The Q function method is used to visualize the instantaneous vortex structures. Three kinds of structures are found, a cylindrical shell structure in the outer shear layer, a ring structure and some hairpin-like structures in the inner shear layer. An eduction scheme is employed to investigate the coherent structures in this flow. Some large streaks constituted by counter-rotating vortices are found in the outer shear layer and some well-organized strong structures are found in the inner shear layer. Finally, the influences of coherent structures on scalar mixing are studied and it is shown that scalar in the recirculation region is transported outward by coherent structures.     

Scale properties of turbulent transport and coherent structure in stably stratified flows

The empirical mode decomposition (EMD) is used to study the scale properties of turbulent transport and coherent structures based on velocity and temperature time series in stably stratified turbulence. The analysis is focused on the scale properties of intermittency and coherent structures in different modes and the contributions of energy-contained coherent structures to turbulent scalar counter-gradient transport (CGT). It is inferred that the velocity intermittency is scattered to more modes with the development of the stratified flow, and the intermittency is enhanced by the vertical stratification, especially in small scales. The anisotropy of the field is presented due to different time scales of coherent structures of streamwise and vertical velocities. There is global counter-gradient heat transport close to the turbulence-generated grid, and there is local counter-gradient heat transport at certain modes in different positions. Coherent structures play a principal role in the turbulent vertical transport of temperature.     

Spanwise domain effects on the evolution of the plane turbulent mixing layer

Large Eddy Simulation is used to simulate a series of plane mixing layers. The influence of the spanwise domain on the development of the mixing layer, and the evolution of the coherent structures, are considered. The mixing layers originate from laminar conditions, and an idealised inflow condition is found to produce accurate flow predictions when the spanwise computational domain extent is sufficient to avoid confinement effects. Spanwise domain confinement of the flow occurs when the ratio of spanwise domain extent to local momentum thickness reaches a value of ten. Flow confinement results in changes to both the growth mechanism of the turbulent coherent structures, and the nature of the interactions that occur between them. The results demonstrate that simulations of the two-dimensional mixing layer flow requires a three-dimensional computational domain in order that the flow will evolve in a manner that is free from restraints imposed by the spanwise domain.     

An experimental study of the large scale coherent structures in a forced free shear layer

The dynamic characteristics of the large scale coherent structures in a forced free shear layer are experimentally studied by means of flow visualization. The quantitative measurements are acquired by the use of a LDV. It is shown that the development of the coherent structures can be greatly influenced by upstream artificial perturbations and as a result the mixing in the layer can be controlled. Like vortex merging, vortex splitting is also a common evolution pattern in the development of the coherent structures.     

Buoyancy-Driven Coherent Structures in Free Round Flame

Complex interactions between fluid dynamics and combustion processes areamong the topics most often undertaken in recent years. The free roundflames dominated by large-scale vortex structures seem to be a veryinteresting type of flow as indicated by the many experimental resultsavailable in literature. The so-called outer coherent structures whichare believed to be generated as a result of buoyancy-driven instabilitywere experimentally investigated by means of laser Doppler anemometry.The results of spectral analysis of fluctuating velocity componentsrevealed the regular oscillations of the flow field with well-defineddiscrete frequencies depending upon the mixture composition. Theexternal excitation of coherent structures at a frequency matching theirnatural shedding frequency allowed the construction of velocity vectormaps of organised vorticity. From the results obtained one may statethat the coherent vortices are located in the outer part of flame withthe trajectory of their centres moving far from the flame front. Theirlocation and very large sizes (comparable with the flow width) suggesttheir important role in mixing and, especially, in the entrainmentprocesses which are the essential in combustion systems.The dimensionalanalysis taking into account the characteristic parameters of vorticesand thermal structure of the flame suggests that buoyancy forces havesignificant impact on organised vorticity and can be considered asresponsible for its origin.     

Mixing in Circular and Non-circular Jets in Crossflow

Coherent structures and mixing in the flow field of a jet in crossflow have been studied using computational (large eddy simulation) and experimental (particle image velocimetry and laser-induced fluorescence) techniques. The mean scalar fields and turbulence statistics as determined by both are compared for circular, elliptic, and square nozzles. For the latter configurations, effects of orientation are considered. The computations reveal that the distribution of a passive scalar in a cross-sectional plane can be single- or double-peaked, depending on the nozzle shape and orientation. A proper orthogonal decomposition of the transverse velocity indicates that coherent structures may be responsible for this phenomenon. Nozzles which have a single-peaked distribution have stronger modes in transverse direction. The global mixing performance is superior for these nozzle types. This is the case for the blunt square nozzle and for the elliptic nozzle with high aspect ratio. It is further demonstrated that the flow field contains large regions in which a passive scalar is transported up the mean gradient (counter-gradient transport) which implies failure of the gradient diffusion hypothesis.     

Flow structures in initial region of two interacting parallel plane jets

The initial region of two interacting parallel plane jets with a truncated bluff body at the plane of symmetry is studied with velocity measurements in the frequency and time domains. The mean flows of the two plane jets are nearly parallel to the plane of symmetry, and their inner and outer mixing regions are found. Within these mixing regions their respective trains of coherent structures, which are of vortical form, are established. The inner vortices are inwardly rotational, while the outer vortices rotate outwardly. The successive initial vortices in the inner mixing region seem to undergo two processes of either pairing or amalgamation. The former results in the formation of a nearly circular coherent structure, while the latter results in the elongated structure. Both the inner and other structures experience fairly rapid decay. The process of decay also seems to be either the usual decay or the division of the coalesced structure back into the individual vortical structures followed by their decay.     

Decomposition of Mixing Layer Turbulence into Coherent Structures and Background Fluctuations

The eduction of coherent structures from cross-wire rake data in a fully turbulent incompressible mixing layer confirms the feasibility of a decomposition of a turbulent flow field, first suggested by Farge, as non-periodic non-equilibrium coherent structures interacting with a ‘thermalized’ broad-band turbulence. A simple wavelet coefficient decimation algorithm and orthogonalization yields non-periodic dominant flow structures and a background field that has a Gaussian distribution of velocities at the centerline. The coherent structures are classified in terms of their topology. The non-coherent background field has flat energy spectra and normal distribution of velocity components. Most background field statistics depend only weakly on the type of structure on which they are superposed. It may be possible to adapt existing subgrid scale models to this decomposition. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Direct numerical simulation of turbulent heat transfer in a wall-normal rotating channel flow

Investigations into the characteristics of turbulent heat transfer and coherent flow structures in a plane-channel subjected to wall-normal system rotation are conducted using direct numerical simulation (DNS). In order to investigate the influence of system rotation on the temperature field, a wide range of rotation numbers are tested, with the flow pattern transitioning from being fully turbulent to being quasilaminar, and eventually, fully laminar. In response to the Coriolis force, secondary flows appear as large vortical structures, which interact intensely with the wall shear layers and have a significant impact on the distribution of turbulence kinetic energy (TKE), turbulence scalar energy (TSE), temperature statistics, and turbulent heat fluxes. The characteristic length scales of turbulence structures responsible for the transport of TSE are the largest at the quasilaminar state, which demands a very large computational domain in order to capture the two-dimensional spectra of temperature fluctuations. The effects of the Coriolis force on the turbulent transport processes of the temperature variance and turbulent heat fluxes are thoroughly examined in terms of their respective budget balances.     

The mixing layer between non-parallel streams

Compared to the classical two-dimensional plane mixing layer, the mixing layer between non-parallel streams has an additional degree of freedom: the angle between the streams and the direction perpendicular to the trailing edge. Consequently the mean vorticity vector, which depends on these angles, is no longer by necessity parallel to the trailing edge of the flow. The ensuing coherent structures are generally helices with components normal to the trailing edge. They can be controlled by different mechanisms, depending on the velocity vectors.     

可压缩边界层与混合层失稳结构的研究进展及其工程应用

本文回顾了可压缩边界层与混合层中失稳结构及其应用的研究进展. 这些工作包括人们对高超声速平板边界层失稳特性、高超声速圆锥边界层转捩攻角效应的产生机制和可压缩混合层失稳特性的研究认识,以及这些相关认识的3 个应用方向. 这些相关工作丰富了人们对高速流动转捩和湍流拟序结构的认识.     

热湍流研究的新十年:从聚焦传统到延伸拓展

热湍流(浮力驱动湍流)作为一种典型的湍流现象,广泛存在于自然界和工程应用中. Rayleigh-Bénard (RB)湍流是从众多自然现象中抽象出来研究热湍流的经典模型, RB湍流的典型特征是系统中存在大尺度环流和羽流等不同尺度的湍流结构,这些结构通过作用于边界层,影响RB湍流的输运效率.因此,明确不同尺度湍流结构的生成、演化和作用机理,对理解RB湍流的输运特性至关重要,也是通过控制湍流结构调控输运效率的科学基础.本文重点从湍流结构的时空演化规律、输运特性、湍流调控和热湍流在其他领域的拓展四个方面评述近十年来RB湍流研究所取得的新进展,并对今后的研究方向做出展望.     

Simulation of ordered structures in open turbulent flows

Extensive experimental material [1–4] indicates that ordered (coherent) structures play an important part in determining the nature of the flow, the generation of Reynolds stresses and turbulence energy, and the transport of heat, momentum, and passive admixtures in a turbulent flow. In the present paper, a model is constructed for describing coherent structures in which, given the profile of the mean velocity, one can determine the characteristic sizes, the propagation velocities, and also the frequency and amplitude characteristics of these ordered motions. The model is based on the analogy between the ordered formations and secondary flows in a subsidiary laminar flow whose velocity profile is the same as the turbulent profile of the mean velocity. The influence of small-scale pulsations is described by the introduction of the coefficient of turbulent viscosity. In the framework of the model, numerical calculations are made for two-dimensional turbulent flows in a mixing layer, a jet, and a wake behind a cylinder. The results of the calculations are compared with experimental data.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 4, pp. 45–52, July–August, 1981.     

Velocity field after wave breaking

The velocity field in breaking water waves is considered in this paper. A numerical simulation describes in detail the transition from a primary overturning and consequent rebounding jets into a bore front, where the vorticity in the coherent large‐scale eddy structures devolves into turbulence. Spatial changes in the frequency spectra of the kinetic energy and the enstrophy are associated with the production, transport and dissipation of the Reynolds stress and the various wave and turbulent mixing length scales. Mean velocity fields and the wave and kinetic energy in a surf zone are evaluated. Fourier and wavelet spectral analysis is applied to study both the surface elevation and energy changes, and the distinction that must be made between spilling and plunging breakers is clarified in this paper. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

入口速度比对射流拟序结构的影响

为了深入了解湍流流动机理以及湍流拟序结构发现过程的影响因素，本文采用大涡模拟方法对不同入口射流伴流速度比的平面湍射流流动进行了数值模拟。采用分步投影法求解动量方程，亚格子项采用标准Smagorinsky亚格子模式模拟，压力泊松方程采用修正的循环消去法快速求解，空间方程采用二阶精度的差分格式，在时间方向上采用二阶精度的显式差分格式。模拟结果给出了平面射流中湍流拟序结构的瞬态发展演变过程，分析了入口速度比对射流拟序结构发展演化过程及宏观流场形态的影响。为进一步研究射流拟序结构及其在湍流流动中的作用提供了基础。     

Numerical analysis of characteristic features of shallow and deep cavity in supersonic flow

Flow past open cavities are numerically simulated at a Mach number of 1.5, and Reynolds number, based on initial momentum thickness at the front lip of cavity, of 3333 for variable depths (D) with constant length (L). The dominant frequency of oscillation shows a sudden jump when there is a transition from shallow (L/D > 1) to deep cavity (L/D < 1). The vorticity thickness displays two different growth rates along the length of cavity: (1) initial lower spreading rate, followed by (2) higher spreading rate. The lower spreading rate of shear layer is dictated by the type of cavity (either shallow or deep), while the higher spreading rate is directly related to the amplitude of oscillations. Proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) is implemented to visualise the coherent structures based on their energy content. The first two POD spatial structures in the shallow cavity represent vortex shedding, while in the deep cavity, they comprise vortex pairing interactions as in mixing layer. The higher POD modes contain coherent structures at mixed frequencies. The behaviour of coherent structures associated with a temporal frequency is further investigated using dynamic mode decomposition (DMD). The higher DMD modes confirm the dominance of mixing layer behaviour in the deep cavity.