Abstract: | For optimal control problems related to fluid flow the choice of an adequate cost functional for suppression of vortices is of significant importance. In this research we propose a cost functional based on a local dynamical systems characterization of vortices. The resulting functional is a non‐convex function of the velocity gradient tensor. The resulting optimality system describing first order necessary optimality conditions is derived, a possible strategy for numerical realization of the optimal control problem is provided and a numerical feasibility study is conducted. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |