Statistical Analysis of Scalar Dissipation Rate Transport in Turbulent Partially Premixed Flames: A Direct Numerical Simulation Study

Statistically planar turbulent premixed and partially premixed flames for different initial turbulence intensities are simulated for global equivalence ratios ??>?=?0.7 and ??>?=?1.0 using three-dimensional Direct Numerical Simulations (DNS) with simplified chemistry. For the simulations of partially premixed flames, a random distribution of equivalence ratio following a bimodal distribution of equivalence ratio is introduced in the unburned reactants ahead of the flame. The simulation parameters in all of the cases were chosen such that the combustion situation belongs to the thin reaction zones regime. The DNS data has been used to analyse the behaviour of the dissipation rate transports of both active and passive scalars (i.e. the fuel mass fraction Y _F and the mixture fraction ξ) in the context of Reynolds Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) simulations. The behaviours of the unclosed terms of the Favre averaged scalar dissipation rates of fuel mass fraction and mixture fraction (i.e. \(\widetilde {\varepsilon }_Y =\overline {\rho D\nabla Y_F^{\prime \prime } \cdot \nabla Y_F^{\prime \prime } } /\overline{\rho }\) and \(\widetilde {\varepsilon }_\xi =\overline {\rho D\nabla \xi ^{\prime \prime }\cdot \nabla \xi ^{\prime \prime }} /\overline {\rho })\) transport equations have been analysed in detail. In the case of the \(\widetilde {\varepsilon }_Y \) transport, it has been observed that the turbulent transport term of scalar dissipation rate remains small throughout the flame brush whereas the terms due to density variation, scalar–turbulence interaction, reaction rate and molecular dissipation remain the leading order contributors. The term arising due to density variation remains positive throughout the flame brush and the combined contribution of the reaction and molecular dissipation to the \(\widetilde {\varepsilon }_Y \) transport remains negative throughout the flame brush in all cases. However, the behaviour of scalar–turbulence interaction term of the \(\widetilde {\varepsilon }_Y \) transport equation is significantly affected by the relative strengths of turbulent straining and the straining due to chemical heat release. In the case of the \(\widetilde {\varepsilon }_\xi \) transport, the turbulent transport term remains small throughout the flame brush and the density variation term is found to be negligible in all cases, whilst the reaction rate term is exactly zero. The scalar–turbulence interaction term and molecular dissipation term remain the leading order contributors to the \(\widetilde {\varepsilon }_\xi \) transport throughout the flame brush in all cases that have been analysed in the present study. Performances of existing models for the unclosed terms of the transport equations of \(\widetilde {\varepsilon }_Y \) and \(\widetilde {\varepsilon }_\xi \) are assessed with respect to the corresponding quantities obtained from DNS data. Based on this exercise either suitable models have been identified or new models have been proposed for the accurate closure of the unclosed terms of both \(\widetilde {\varepsilon }_Y \) and \(\widetilde {\varepsilon }_\xi \) transport equations in the context of Reynolds Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) simulations.     

Towards the Development of an Evolution Equation for Flame Turbulence Interaction in Premixed Turbulent Combustion

Flame turbulence interaction is one of the leading order terms in the scalar dissipation \(\left (\widetilde {\varepsilon }_{c}\right )\) transport equation [35] and is thus an important phenomenon in premixed turbulent combustion. Swaminathan and Grout [36] and Chakraborty and Swaminathan [15, 16] have shown that the effect of strain rate on the transport of \(\widetilde {\varepsilon }_{c}\) is dominated by the interaction between the fluctuating scalar gradients and the fluctuating strain rate, denoted here by \(\overline {\rho }\widetilde {\Delta }_{c}= \overline {\rho {\alpha }\nabla c^{\prime \prime }S_{ij}^{\prime \prime }\nabla c^{\prime \prime }}\) ; this represents the flame turbulence interaction. In order to obtain an accurate representation of this phenomenon, a new evolution equation for \(\widetilde {\Delta }_{c}\) has been proposed. This equation gives a detailed insight into flame turbulence interaction and provides an alternative approach to model the important physics represented by \(\widetilde {\Delta }_{c}\) . The \(\widetilde {\Delta }_{c}\) evolution equation is derived in detail and an order of magnitude analysis is carried out to determine the leading order terms in the \(\widetilde {\Delta }_{c}\) evolution equation. The leading order terms are then studied using a Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) of premixed turbulent flames in the corrugated flamelet regime. It is found that the behaviour of \(\widetilde {\Delta }_{c}\) is determined by the competition between the source terms (pressure gradient and the reaction rate), diffusion/dissipation processes, turbulent strain rate and the dilatation rate. Closures for the leading order terms in \(\widetilde {\Delta }_{c}\) evolution equation have been proposed and compared with the DNS data.     

A-Priori Direct Numerical Simulation Modelling of Co-variance Transport in Turbulent Stratified Flames

Three-dimensional Direct Numerical Simulations of statistically planar turbulent stratified flames at global equivalence ratios <???>?=?0.7 and <???>?=?1.0 have been carried out to analyse the statistical behaviour of the transport of co-variance of the fuel mass fraction Y _F and mixture fraction ξ (i.e. $\widetilde{Y_F^{\prime\prime} \xi ^{\prime\prime}}={\overline {\rho Y_F^{\prime\prime} \xi^{\prime\prime}} } \Big/ {\overline \rho })$ for Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes simulations where $\overline q $ , $\tilde{q} ={\overline {\rho q} } \big/ {\overline \rho }$ and $q^{\prime\prime}= q-\tilde{q}$ are Reynolds averaged, Favre mean and Favre fluctuation of a general quantity q with ρ being the gas density and the overbar suggesting a Reynolds averaging operation. It has been found that existing algebraic expressions may not capture the statistical behaviour of $\widetilde{Y_F^{\prime\prime} \xi^{\prime\prime}}$ with sufficient accuracy in low Damköhler number combustion and therefore, a transport equation for $\widetilde{Y_F^{\prime\prime} \xi^{\prime\prime}}$ may need to be solved. The statistical behaviours of $\widetilde{Y_F^{\prime\prime} \xi^{\prime\prime}}$ and the unclosed terms of its transport equation (i.e. the terms originating from turbulent transport T ₁ , reaction rate T ₄ and molecular dissipation $\left( {-D_2 } \right))$ have been analysed in detail. The contribution of T ₁ remains important for all cases considered here. The term T ₄ acts as a major contributor in <???>?=?1.0 cases, but plays a relatively less important role in <???>?=?0.7 cases, whereas the term $\left( {-D_2 } \right)$ acts mostly as a leading order sink. Through an a-priori DNS analysis, the performances of the models for T ₁ , T ₄ and $\left( {-D_2 } \right)$ have been addressed in detail. A model has been identified for the turbulent transport term T ₁ which satisfactorily predicts the corresponding term obtained from DNS data. The models for T ₄ , which were originally proposed for high Damköhler number flames, have been modified for low Damköhler combustion. Predictions of the modified models are found to be in good agreement with T ₄ obtained from DNS data. It has been found that existing algebraic models for $D_2 =2\overline {\rho D\nabla Y_F^{\prime\prime} \nabla \xi^{\prime\prime}} $ (where D is the mass diffusivity) are not sufficient for low Damköhler number combustion and therefore, a transport equation may need to be solved for the cross-scalar dissipation rate $\widetilde{\varepsilon }_{Y\xi } ={\overline {\rho D\nabla Y_F^{\prime\prime} \nabla \xi^{\prime\prime}} } \big/ {\overline \rho }$ for the closure of the $\widetilde{Y_F^{\prime\prime} \xi^{\prime\prime}}$ transport equation.     

Statistical Analysis of Cross Scalar Dissipation Rate Transport in Turbulent Partially Premixed Flames: A Direct Numerical Simulation Study

Statistically planar turbulent partially premixed flames for different initial intensities of decaying turbulence have been simulated for global equivalence ratios <????> = 0.7 and <????> = 1.0 using three-dimensional simplified chemistry based Direct Numerical Simulations (DNS). The simulation parameters are chosen such that the combustion situation belongs to the thin reaction zones regime and a random bi-modal distribution of equivalence ratio ?? is introduced in the unburned gas ahead of the flame to account for mixture inhomogeneity. The DNS data has been used to analyse the statistical behaviour of the transport of the cross-scalar dissipation rate based on the fuel mass fraction Y _F and the mixture fraction ?? fluctuations $\,\tilde{\varepsilon}_{Y\xi}={\overline{\rho D\nabla Y_{F}^{\prime\prime}.\nabla \xi^{\prime\prime}} } \big/ {\bar {\rho }}$ (where $\bar{q}$ , $\tilde{q}={\overline{\rho q} } \big/ {\bar {\rho }}$ and $q^{\prime\prime} =q-\tilde {q}$ are Reynolds average, Favre mean and Favre fluctuation of a general quantity q) in the context of Reynolds Averaged Navier?CStokes simulations where ?? is the gas density and D is the gas diffusivity. The statistical behaviours of the unclosed terms in the $\tilde{\varepsilon }_{Y\xi } $ transport equation originating from turbulent transport T ₁, density variation T ₂, scalar?Cturbulence interaction T ₃, chemical reaction rate T ₄ and the molecular dissipation rate D ₂ have been analysed in detail. It has been observed that the contributions of T ₂, T ₃, T ₄ and D ₂ play important roles in the $\tilde{\varepsilon }_{Y\xi } $ transport for the globally stoichiometric cases, but in the globally fuel-lean cases the contributions of T ₂ and T ₄ become relatively weaker in comparison to the contributions of T ₃ and D ₂. The term T ₁ remains small in comparison to the leading order contributions of T ₃ and D ₂ for all cases, but the contribution of T ₁ plays a more important role in the low Damköhler combustion cases. The term T ₂ behaves as a sink term towards the unburned gas side but becomes a source term towards the burned gas side. The scalar?Cturbulence interaction term T ₃ has been found to be generally positive throughout the flame brush, but in globally stoichiometric cases the contribution of T ₃ becomes negative in regions of intense heat release. The combined contribution of (T ₄ ?C D ₂) remains mostly as a sink in all cases studied here. Models are proposed for the unclosed terms of the $\tilde{\varepsilon }_{Y\xi } $ transport equation in the context of Reynolds Averaged Navier?CStokes simulations, which are shown to satisfactorily predict the corresponding quantities extracted from the DNS data for all cases.     

An Updated Portrait of Transition to Turbulence in Laminar Pipe Flows with Periodic Time Dependence (A Correlation Study)

Transition to turbulence in axially symmetrical laminar pipe flows with periodic time dependence classified as pure oscillating and pulsatile (pulsating) ones is the concern of the paper. The current state of art on the transitional characteristics of pulsatile and oscillating pipe flows is introduced with a particular attention to the utilized terminology and methodology. Transition from laminar to turbulent regime is usually described by the presence of the disturbed flow with small amplitude perturbations followed by the growth of turbulent bursts. The visual treatment of velocity waveforms is therefore a preferred inspection method. The observation of turbulent bursts first in the decelerating phase and covering the whole cycle of oscillation are used to define the critical states of the start and end of transition, respectively. A correlation study referring to the available experimental data of the literature particularly at the start of transition are presented in terms of the governing periodic flow parameters. In this respect critical oscillating and time averaged Reynolds numbers at the start of transition; Re _os,crit and Re _ta,crit are expressed as a major function of Womersley number, $\sqrt {\omega ^\prime } $ defined as dimensionless frequency of oscillation, f. The correlation study indicates that in oscillating flows, an increase in Re _os,crit with increasing magnitudes of $\sqrt {\omega ^\prime } $ is observed in the covered range of $1<\sqrt {\omega ^\prime } <72$ . The proposed equation (Eq. 7), ${\rm{Re}}_{os,crit} ={\rm{Re}}_{os,crit} \left( {\sqrt {\omega ^\prime } } \right)$ , can be utilized to estimate the critical magnitude of $\sqrt {\omega ^\prime }$ at the start of transition with an accuracy of ±12?% in the range of $\sqrt {\omega ^\prime } <41$ . However in pulsatile flows, the influence of $\sqrt {\omega ^\prime }$ on Re _ta,crit seems to be different in the ranges of $\sqrt {\omega ^\prime } <8$ and $\sqrt {\omega ^\prime } >8$ . Furthermore there is rather insufficient experimental data in pulsatile flows considering interactive influences of $\sqrt {\omega ^\prime } $ and velocity amplitude ratio, A ₁. For the purpose, the measurements conducted at the start of transition of a laminar sinusoidal pulsatile pipe flow test case covering the range of 0.21<?A ₁?<0.95 with $\sqrt {\omega ^\prime } <8$ are evaluated. In conformity with the literature, the start of transition corresponds to the observation of first turbulent bursts in the decelerating phase of oscillation. The measured data indicate that increase in $\sqrt {\omega ^\prime } $ is associated with an increase in Re _ta,crit up to $\sqrt {\omega ^\prime } =3.85$ while a decrease in Re _ta,crit is observed with an increase in $\sqrt {\omega ^\prime } $ for $\sqrt {{\omega }'} >3.85$ . Eventually updated portrait is pointing out the need for further measurements on i) the end of transition both in oscillating and pulsatile flows with the ranges of $\sqrt {\omega ^\prime } <8$ and $\sqrt {\omega ^\prime } >8$ , and ii) the interactive influences of $\sqrt {\omega ^\prime } $ and A ₁ on Re _ta,crit in pulsatile flows with the range of $\sqrt {\omega ^\prime } >8$ .     

Transient Behavior of Turbulent Scalar Transport in Premixed Flames

Transition from gradient to countergradient scalar transport in a statistically planar, one-dimensional, developing, premixed turbulent flame is studied both theoretically and numerically. A simple criterion of the transition referred to is derived from the balance equation for the combustion progress variable, with the criterion highlighting an important role played by flame development. A balance equation for the difference in velocities $\bar{u}_b$ and $\bar{u}_u$ conditioned on burned and unburned mixture, respectively, is numerically integrated. Both analytical and computed results show that; (1) The flux $\overline{\rho u'' c''}$ is gradient during an early stage of flame development followed by transition to countergradient scalar transport at certain instant t _tr . (2) The transition time is increased when turbulence length scale L is increased or when the laminar flame speed S _L and/or the density ratio are decreased. (3) The transition time normalized using the turbulence time scale is increased by u??. Moreover, the numerical simulations have shown that the transition time is increased by u?? if a ratio of u??/S _L is not large. This dependence of t _tr on u?? is substantially affected by (i) the mean pressure gradient induced within the flame due to heat release and (ii) by the damping effect of combustion on the growth rate of mean flame brush thickness. The reasonable qualitative agreement between the computed trends and available experimental and DNS data, as well as the agreement between the computed trends and the present theoretical results, lends further support to the conditioned balance equation used in the present work.     

The Problems of the Turbulent Burning Velocity

The paper reviews the practical problems in measuring a turbulent burning velocity that gives the mass rate of burning. These largely centre on identifying an appropriate flame surface to associate with the turbulent burning velocity, u _t , and the density of the unburned mixture. Such a flame surface has been identified, in terms of the mean reaction progress variable, $\bar {c}$ , for explosive flame propagation in a fan-stirred bomb. Measurement of $\bar {c}$ makes possible an estimation of the flame surface density, ??, from the relationship ${\it \Sigma} =k\bar {c}\left( {1-\bar {c}} \right)$ . It is shown that in such explosions, mass rates of burning derived from the measured total flame surface area agreed well with those found from the measured turbulent burning velocity. Flamelet considerations identify appropriate dimensionless correlating parameters for u _t . As a result, correlations of turbulent burning velocity divided by the effective rms turbulent velocity, are plotted against the turbulent Karlovitz stretch factor, K, for different values of the Markstein number for flame strain rate, Ma_sr. These plots cover a wide range of variables, including pressure and fuels, and are indicative of different regimes of turbulent combustion. At the lower values of K, there is some evidence of increases in u _t and k due to high-frequency flame surface wrinkling arising from flame instabilities. These increase as Ma_sr becomes more negative. It is found from the developed value of the mean flame surface density throughout the flame brush that, to a first approximation, an increase in u _t for a given mixture is accompanied by a proportional increase in the volume of the brush. The analysis shows that the volume fraction of the turbulent flame brush that is reacting is quite small.     

Numerical study on supersonic mixing and combustion with hydrogen injection upstream of a cavity flameholder

Characteristics of supersonic mixing and combustion with hydrogen injection upstream of a cavity flameholder are investigated numerically using hybrid RANS/LES (Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes/Large-Eddy Simulation) method. Two types of inflow boundary layer are considered. One is a laminar-like boundary layer with inflow thickness of $\delta_{\inf } = 0.0$ and the other is a turbulent boundary layer with inflow thickness of $\delta_{\inf } = 2.5\,{\text{mm}}$ . The hybrid RANS/LES method acts as a DES (Detached Eddy Simulation) model for the laminar-like inflow condition and a wall-modeled LES for the turbulent inflow condition where the recycling/rescaling method is adopted. Although the turbulent inflow seems to have just minor influences on the supersonic cavity flow without fuel injection, its effects on the mixing and combustion processes are great. It is found that the unsteady turbulent structures in upstream incoming boundary layer interact with the injection jet, resulting in fluctuations of the upstream recirculation region and bow shock, and induce quick dispersion of the hydrogen fuel jet, which enhances the mixing as well as subsequent combustion.     

Phragmén-Lindelöf theorems for nonlinear elliptic equations

We obtain theorems of Phragmén-Lindelöf type for the following classes of elliptic partial differential inequalities in an arbitrary unbounded domain \(\Omega \subseteq \mathbb{R}^n ,{\text{ }}n \geqq 2\) (A.1) $$\sum\limits_{i,j = 1}^n {\frac{\partial }{{\partial x_i }}\left( {a_{ij} 9(x)\frac{{\partial u}}{{\partial xj}}} \right)} + \sum\limits_{i = 1}^n {b_i (x,{\text{ }}u,{\text{ }}\nabla u)\frac{\partial }{{\partial x_i }}} \geqq f(x,{\text{ }}u)$$ where a _ij are elliptic in Ω and b _i ε L^∞(Ω) and where also a _ij are uniformly elliptic and Holder continuous at infinity and b _i = O(|x|⁺¹) as x → ∞; (A.2) $${\text{(A}}{\text{.2) }}\sum\limits_{i,j = 1}^n {a_{ij} (x,{\text{ }}u,{\text{ }}\nabla u)\frac{{\partial ^2 u}}{{\partial x_i \partial x_j }}} + \sum\limits_{i = 1}^n {b_i (x,{\text{ }}u,{\text{ }}\nabla u)\frac{\partial }{{\partial x_i }}} \geqq f(x,{\text{ }}u)$$ where a_ijare uniformly elliptic in Ω and b _iε L^∞(Ω); and finally (A.3) $${\text{div(}}\nabla u^p \nabla u {\text{)}} \geqq f{\text{(}}u{\text{), }}p > - 1,$$ where the operator on the left is the so-called P-Laplacian. The function f is always supposed positive and continuous. Moreover u is assumed throughout to be in the natural weak Sobolev space corresponding to the particular inequality under consideration, namely u ε. W _loc ^1,2 (Ω) ∩L _loc ^t8 (Ω) for (A.I), W _loc ^2,n(Ω) for (A.2), and W _loc ^1,p+2 (Ω) ∩ L _loc ^t8 (Ω) for (A.3). As a consequence of our results we obtain both non-existence and Liouville theorems, as well as existence theorems for (A.1).     

Damköhler-Shelkin Paradox in the Theory of Turbulent Flame Propagation,and a Concept of the Premixed Flame at the Intermediate Asymptotic Stage

We formulated a paradox in the theory of turbulent premixed flame in the flamelet regime: discrepancy between the Damköhler (1940) and Shelkin (1943) estimate of the turbulence flame speed \(U_{t} \sim {u}^{\prime }\) in the case of strong turbulence (\({u}^{\prime }>>S_{L} \)) and numerous experiments that show a strong dependence of U_t on the speed of the instantaneous flame S_L. We name this discrepancy the Damköhler-Shelkin paradox. The first aim of the research is to validate and clarify this estimate, which is based on intuitive considerations, as the paradox must be a statement that seems contradictory to observations but is actually true. We analysed the turbulent flame in the context of the original hyperbolic combustion equation that directly describes the leading edge of the flame, which is a locus of the Zel’dovich “leading points” controlling the speed of the turbulent flame. Analysis of the corresponding characteristic equations results in the expression for speed on the steady-state turbulent flame \(U_{t} ={u}^{\prime }\sqrt {1+(S_{L} /{u}^{\prime })^{2}} \), which is the case when \({u}^{\prime }>>S_{L} \) becomes \(U_{t} \cong {u}^{\prime }\). This result confirms and improves the Damköhler-Shelkin estimate \(U_{t} \sim {u}^{\prime }\). The second aim is to resolve the Damköhler-Shelkin paradox. We explain the discrepancy with observations by the fact that turbulent flames are transient due to insufficient residence time in the real burners to reach statistical equilibrium of wrinkle structures of the random flame surface. We consider the transient flame in the intermediate asymptotic stage when the small-scales wrinkles are in statistical equilibrium, while at the same time the large-scale wrinkles are far from equilibrium. The expressions for the flame speed and width, which we deduce using the dimensional analysis and general properties of the ransom surface, \(U_{t} \sim ({u}^{\prime }S_{L})^{1/2}\) and \(\delta _{t} \sim ({u}^{\prime }Lt)^{1/2}\), show that this transient flame is in fact a turbulent mixing layer travelling with constant speed U_t depending on S_L, the intermediate steady propagation (ISP) flame. Qualitative estimations of the times required for the small-scale and large-scale wrinkles to reach statistical equilibrium show that the turbulent Bunsen- and V-flames correspond to the intermediated asymptotic stage, and the turbulent flames with a complete equilibrium structure of the wrinkled flamelet surface are not attainable under laboratory conditions. We present the results of numerical simulations of the impingent flames, which count in favour of the belief that these flames are also transient.     

Pressure drop in alternating curved tubes

Pressure drop measurements in the laminar and turbulent regions for water flowing through an alternating curved circular tube (x=h sin 2πz/λ) are presented. Using the minimum radius of curvature of this curved tube in place of that of the toroidally curved one in calculating the Dean number (ND=Re(D/2R _c )², it is found that the resulting Dean number can help in characterizing this flow. Also, the ratio between the height and length of the tube waves which represents the degree of waveness affects significantly the pressure drop and the transition Dean number. The following correlations have been found:

1. For laminar flow: $$F_w \left( {\frac{{2R_c }}{D}} \right)^{{1 \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {1 2}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} 2}} = F_s \left( {\frac{{2R_c }}{D}} \right)^{{1 \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {1 2}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} 2}} + 0.03,\operatorname{Re}< 2000.$$
2. For turbulent flow: $$F_w \left( {\frac{{2R_c }}{D}} \right)^{{1 \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {1 2}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} 2}} = F_s \left( {\frac{{2R_c }}{D}} \right)^{{1 \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {1 2}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} 2}} + 0.005,2000< \operatorname{Re}< 15000.$$
3. The transition Dean number: $$ND_{crit} = 5.012 \times 10^3 \left( {\frac{D}{{2R}}} \right)^{2.1} ,0.0111< {D \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {D {2R_c }}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} {2R_c }}< 0.71.$$

     

Global Compensated Compactness Theorem for General Differential Operators of First Order

Let A ₁(x, D) and A ₂(x, D) be differential operators of the first order acting on l-vector functions ${u= (u_1, \ldots, u_l)}$ in a bounded domain ${\Omega \subset \mathbb{R}^{n}}$ with the smooth boundary ${\partial\Omega}$ . We assume that the H ¹-norm ${\|u\|_{H^{1}(\Omega)}}$ is equivalent to ${\sum_{i=1}^2\|A_iu\|_{L^2(\Omega)} + \|B_1u\|_{H^{\frac{1}{2}}(\partial\Omega)}}$ and ${\sum_{i=1}^2\|A_iu\|_{L^2(\Omega)} + \|B_2u\|_{H^{\frac{1}{2}}(\partial\Omega)}}$ , where B _i  = B _i (x, ν) is the trace operator onto ${\partial\Omega}$ associated with A _i (x, D) for i = 1, 2 which is determined by the Stokes integral formula (ν: unit outer normal to ${\partial\Omega}$ ). Furthermore, we impose on A ₁ and A ₂ a cancellation property such as ${A_1A_2^{\prime}=0}$ and ${A_2A_1^{\prime}=0}$ , where ${A^{\prime}_i}$ is the formal adjoint differential operator of A _i (i = 1, 2). Suppose that ${\{u_m\}_{m=1}^{\infty}}$ and ${\{v_m\}_{m=1}^{\infty}}$ converge to u and v weakly in ${L^2(\Omega)}$ , respectively. Assume also that ${\{A_{1}u_m\}_{m=1}^{\infty}}$ and ${\{A_{2}v_{m}\}_{m=1}^{\infty}}$ are bounded in ${L^{2}(\Omega)}$ . If either ${\{B_{1}u_m\}_{m=1}^{\infty}}$ or ${\{B_{2}v_m\}_{m=1}^{\infty}}$ is bounded in ${H^{\frac{1}{2}}(\partial\Omega)}$ , then it holds that ${\int_{\Omega}u_m\cdot v_m \,{\rm d}x \to \int_{\Omega}u\cdot v \,{\rm d}x}$ . We also discuss a corresponding result on compact Riemannian manifolds with boundary.     

Viscous ring modes in vortices with axial jet

In this paper, we show the existence of new families of linear eigenmodes in vortices with axial jet. These modes are viscous in nature and concentrated in a ring around the vortex at the critical radial location r _c  > 0 where ${m\Omega '_c + kW'_c=0}$ where ${\Omega_c'}$ and ${W_c'}$ are the radial derivative at r _c of the angular and axial velocity of the vortex. Using a large Reynolds-number asymptotic approach for an arbitrary axisymmetrical vortex with axial flow, both the complex frequency and the spatial structure of the eigenmodes are obtained for any azimuthal and axial wave number. The asymptotic predictions are compared to numerical results for the q-vortex and a good agreement is demonstrated. We show that for sufficiently large Reynolds numbers, a necessary and sufficient condition of instability of viscous ring modes is that there exists a location r _c where ${\Omega_c\Omega_c'[r_c\Omega_c'(2\Omega_c+r_c\Omega'_c)+(W_c')^2]<0}$ and ${W_c'\neq0}$ , which also corresponds to the condition of inviscid instability obtained by Leibovich and Stewartson (J Fluid Mech 126:335–356, 1983).     

Bounded solutions of some nonlinear elliptic equations in cylindrical domains

The existence of a (unique) solution of the second-order semilinear elliptic equation $$\sum\limits_{i,j = 0}^n {a_{ij} (x)u_{x_i x_j } + f(\nabla u,u,x) = 0}$$ withx=(x ₀,x ₁,?,x _n )?(s ₀, ∞)× Ω′, for a bounded domainΩ′, together with the additional conditions $$\begin{array}{*{20}c} {u(x) = 0for(x_1 ,x_2 ,...,x_n ) \in \partial \Omega '} \\ {u(x) = \varphi (x_1 ,x_2 ,...,x_n )forx_0 = s_0 } \\ {|u(x)|globallybounded} \\ \end{array}$$ is shown to be a well-posed problem under some sign and growth restrictions off and its partial derivatives. It can be seen as an initial value problem, with initial value?, in the spaceC ₀ ⁰ $(\overline {\Omega '} )$ and satisfying the strong order-preserving property. In the case thata _ij andf do not depend onx ₀ or are periodic inx ₀, it is shown that the corresponding dynamical system has a compact global attractor. Also, conditions onf are given under which all the solutions tend to zero asx ₀ tends to infinity. Proofs are strongly based on maximum and comparison techniques.     

Maximal and Minimal Spreading Speeds for Reaction Diffusion Equations in Nonperiodic Slowly Varying Media

This paper investigates the asymptotic behavior of the solutions of the Fisher-KPP equation in a heterogeneous medium, $$\partial_t u = \partial_{xx} u + f(x,u),$$ associated with a compactly supported initial datum. A typical nonlinearity we consider is ${f(x,u) = \mu_0 (\phi (x)) u(1-u)}$ , where??? ₀ is a 1-periodic function and ${\phi}$ is a ${\mathcal{C}^1}$ increasing function that satisfies ${\lim_{x \to+\infty}\phi (x) = +\infty}$ and ${\lim_{x \to +\infty}\phi' (x) =0}$ . Although quite specific, the choice of such a reaction term is motivated by its highly heterogeneous nature. We exhibit two different behaviors for u for large times, depending on the speed of the convergence of ${\phi}$ at infinity. If ${\phi}$ grows sufficiently slowly, then we prove that the spreading speed of u oscillates between two distinct values. If ${\phi}$ grows rapidly, then we compute explicitly a unique and well determined speed of propagation w _??, arising from the limiting problem of an infinite period. We give a heuristic interpretation for these two behaviors.     

Drainage of Capillary-Trapped Oil by an Immiscible Gas: Impact of Transient and Steady-State Water Displacement on Three-Phase Oil Permeability

In a previous paper (Dehghanpour et al., Phys Rev E 83:065302, 2011a), we showed that relative permeability of mobilized oil, $k_\mathrm{ro}$ , measured during tertiary gravity drainage, is significantly higher than that of the same oil saturation in other tests where oil is initially a continuous phase. We also showed that tertiary $k_\mathrm{ro}$ strongly correlates to both water saturation, $S_\mathrm{w}$ , water flux (water relative permeability), $k_\mathrm{rw}$ , and the change in water saturation with time, $\mathrm{d}S_\mathrm{w}/\mathrm{d}t$ . To develop a model and understanding of the enhanced oil transport, identifying which of these parameters ( $S_\mathrm{w},\,k_{\mathrm{rw}}$ , or $\mathrm{d}S_\mathrm{w}/\mathrm{d}t$ ) plays the controlling role is necessary, but in the previous experiments these could not be deconvolved. To answer the remaining question, we conduct specific three-phase displacement experiments in which $k_{\mathrm{rw}}$ is controlled by applying a fixed water influx, and $S_\mathrm{w}$ develops naturally. We obtain $k_{\mathrm{ro}}$ by using the saturation data measured in time and space. The results suggest that steady-state water influx, in contrast to transient water displacement, does not enhance $k_{\mathrm{ro}}$ . Instead, reducing water influx rate results in excess oil flow. Furthermore, according to our pore scale hydraulic conductivity calculations, viscous coupling and fluid positioning do not sufficiently explain the observed correlation between $k_{\mathrm{ro}}$ and $S_{\mathrm{w}}$ . We conclude that tertiary $k_{\mathrm{ro}}$ is controlled by the oil mobilization rate, which in turn is linked to the rate of water saturation decrease with time, $\mathrm{d}S_\mathrm{w}/\mathrm{d}t$ . Finally, we develop a simple model which relates tertiary $k_{\mathrm{ro}}$ to transient two-phase gas/water relative permeability.     

On the Characterization of the Navier–Stokes Flows with the Power-Like Energy Decay

We study the energy decay of the turbulent solutions to the Navier–Stokes equations in the whole three-dimensional space. We show as the main result that the solutions with the energy decreasing at the rate \({O(t^{-\alpha}), t \rightarrow \infty, \alpha \in [0, 5/2]}\) , are exactly characterized by their initial conditions belonging into the homogeneous Besov space \({\dot{B}^{-\alpha}_{2, \infty}}\) . Similarly, for a solution u and \({p \in [1, \infty]}\) the integral \({\int_{0}^{\infty} \|t^{\alpha/2} u(t)\|^p \frac{1}{t} dt}\) is finite if and only if the initial condition of u belongs to the homogeneous Besov space \({\dot{B}_{2, p}^{-\alpha}}\) . For the case \({\alpha \in (5/2, 9/2]}\) we present analogical results for some subclasses of turbulent solutions.     

Integrability of the constrained rigid body

The integrability theory for the differential equations, which describe the motion of an unconstrained rigid body around a fixed point is well known. When there are constraints the theory of integrability is incomplete. The main objective of this paper is to analyze the integrability of the equations of motion of a constrained rigid body around a fixed point in a force field with potential U(γ)=U(γ ₁,γ ₂,γ ₃). This motion subject to the constraint 〈ν,ω〉=0 with ν is a constant vector is known as the Suslov problem, and when ν=γ is the known Veselova problem, here ω=(ω ₁,ω ₂,ω ₃) is the angular velocity and 〈?,?〉 is the inner product of $\mathbb{R}^{3}$ . We provide the following new integrable cases. (i) The Suslov’s problem is integrable under the assumption that ν is an eigenvector of the inertial tensor I and the potential is such that $$U=-\frac{1}{2I_1I_2}\bigl(I_1\mu^2_1+I_2 \mu^2_2\bigr), $$ where I ₁,I ₂, and I ₃ are the principal moments of inertia of the body, μ ₁ and μ ₂ are solutions of the first-order partial differential equation $$\gamma_3 \biggl(\frac{\partial\mu_1}{\partial\gamma_2}- \frac{\partial\mu_2}{\partial \gamma_1} \biggr)- \gamma_2\frac{\partial \mu_1}{\partial\gamma_3}+\gamma_1\frac{\partial\mu_2}{\partial \gamma_3}=0. $$ (ii) The Veselova problem is integrable for the potential $$U=-\frac{\varPsi^2_1+\varPsi^2_2}{2(I_1\gamma^2_2+I_2\gamma^2_1)}, $$ where Ψ ₁ and Ψ ₂ are the solutions of the first-order partial differential equation where $p=\sqrt{I_{1}I_{2}I_{3} (\frac{\gamma^{2}_{1}}{I_{1}}+\frac{\gamma^{2}_{2}}{I_{2}}+ \frac{\gamma^{2}_{3}}{I_{3}} )}$ . Also it is integrable when the potential U is a solution of the second-order partial differential equation where $\tau_{2}=I_{1}\gamma^{2}_{1}+I_{2}\gamma^{2}_{2}+I_{3}\gamma^{2}_{3}$ and $\tau_{3}=\frac{\gamma^{2}_{1}}{I_{1}}+\frac{\gamma^{2}_{2}}{I_{2}}+ \frac{\gamma^{2}_{3}}{I_{3}}$ . Moreover, we show that these integrable cases contain as a particular case the previous known results.