The statistics of a passive scalar in field-guided magnetohydrodynamic turbulence

A variety of studies of magnetised plasma turbulence invoke theories for the advection of a passive scalar by turbulent fluctuations. Examples include modelling the electron density fluctuations in the interstellar medium, understanding the chemical composition of galaxy clusters and the intergalactic medium, and testing the prevailing phenomenological theories of magnetohydrodynamic turbulence. While passive scalar turbulence has been extensively studied in the hydrodynamic case, its counterpart in MHD turbulence is significantly less well understood. Herein we conduct a series of high-resolution direct numerical simulations of incompressible, field-guided, MHD turbulence in order to establish the fundamental properties of passive scalar evolution. We study the scalar anisotropy, establish the scaling relation analogous to Yaglom’s law, and measure the intermittency of the passive scalar statistics. We also assess to what extent the pseudo Alfvén fluctuations in strong MHD turbulence can be modelled as a passive scalar. The results suggest that the dynamics of a passive scalar in MHD turbulence is considerably more complicated than in the hydrodynamic case.     

Influence of Zostera marina canopies on unidirectional flow,hydraulic roughness and sediment movement

Seagrasses develop extensive or patchy underwater meadows in coastal areas around the world, forming complex, highly productive ecosystems. Seagrass canopies exert strong effects on water flow inside and around them, thereby affecting flow structure, sediment transport and benthic ecology. The influence of Zostera marina canopies on flow velocity, turbulence, hydraulic roughness and sediment movement was evaluated through laboratory experiments in 2 flumes and using live Z. marina and a mobile sand bed. Profiles of instantaneous velocities were measured and sediment movement was identified upstream, within and downstream of patches of different sizes and shoot density and at different free-stream velocities. Flow structure was characterised by time-averaged velocity, turbulence intensity and Turbulent Kinetic Energy (TKE). When velocity data were available above the canopy, they were fitted to the Law of the Wall and shear velocities and roughness lengths were calculated. When a seagrass canopy was present, three layers were distinguishable in the water column: (1) within canopy represented by low velocities and high turbulence; (2) transition zone around the height of the canopy, where velocities increased, turbulence decreased and TKE was high; and (3) above canopy where velocities were equal or higher than free-stream velocities and turbulence and TKE were lower than below. Shoot density and patch-width influenced this partitioning of the flow when the canopy was long enough (based on flume experiments, at least more than 1 m-long). The enhanced TKE observed at the canopy/water interface suggests that large-scale turbulence is generated at the canopy surface. These oscillations, likely to be related to the canopy undulations, are then broken down within the canopy and high-frequency turbulence takes place near the bed. This turbulence ‘cascade’ through the canopy may have an important impact on biogeochemical processes. The velocity above the canopy generally followed a logarithmic profile. Roughness lengths were higher above the canopy than over bare sand and increased with increasing distance from the leading edge of the canopy; however, they were still small (<1 cm) compared to other studies in the literature. Within and downstream of the canopy, sediment movement was observed at velocities below the threshold of motion. It was likely caused by the increased turbulence at those positions. This has large implications for sediment transport in coastal zones where seagrass beds develop.     

环境水力学研究中的预报模型的研究现状

主要介绍目前世界上环境水力学研究中,湍流模式下,预报模型的发展、现状及种类。并简单分析了模型的原理以及模型的适用性与非适用性,来说明实际工程中对瑞流模式研究的重要性和可行性。     

Reactive Rayleigh–Taylor turbulent mixing: a one-dimensional-turbulence study

We study the problem of reactive Rayleigh–Taylor turbulence in the Boussinesq framework using one-dimensional-turbulence (ODT) simulations. In this problem a reaction zone between overlying heavy/cold reactants and underlying light/hot products moves against gravity. First, we show that ODT results for global quantities in non-reactive Rayleigh–Taylor turbulence are within those from direct numerical simulations (DNS). This comparison give us confidence in using ODT to study unexplored flow regimes in the reactive case. Then, we show how ODT predicts an early stage of reactive Rayleigh–Taylor turbulence that behaves similarly to the non-reactive case, as observed in previous DNS. More importantly, ODT indicates a later stage where the growth of the reaction zone reduces considerably. The present work can be seen as a step towards the study of supernova flames with ODT.     

Comment on “Complete Eulerian-mean tracer equation for coarse resolution OGCMs” by M. S. Dubovikov and V. M. Canuto

Dubovikov and Canuto (Dubovikov, M.S. and Canuto, V.M., Complete Eulerian-mean tracer equation for coarse resolution OGCMs. Geophys. Astrophys. Fluid Dyn., 2006, 100, 197–214), after averaging the tracer conservation equation in density coordinates and transforming to height coordinates, concluded that present ocean models are missing important terms in their mean tracer equations. Here we point out some errors made by Dubovikov and Canuto (2006 Dubovikov, MS and Canuto, VM. 2006. Complete Eulerian-mean tracer equation for coarse resolution OGCMs. Geophys. & Astrophys. Fluid Dynam., 100: 197–214. [Taylor & Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]) in their isopycnal averaging procedure. We draw on the temporal-residual-mean (TRM) theory and show that when the isopycnal averaging and coordinate transformation are performed correctly, the tracer equations of present ocean circulation models are recovered. We therefore conclude that present ocean circulation models are not neglecting the leading order terms identified by Dubovikov and Canuto (2006 Dubovikov, MS and Canuto, VM. 2006. Complete Eulerian-mean tracer equation for coarse resolution OGCMs. Geophys. & Astrophys. Fluid Dynam., 100: 197–214. [Taylor & Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]).     

On the Structure of Small-Scale Motion in the Core of the Earth

In 1996, St Pierre (1996) reported numerical simulations of a buoyant blob migrating across the earth's outer core and subject to the combined effects of rotation and an azimuthal magnetic field. He noted that the blob rapidly fragments into a series of plate-like structures. Quite independently, Davidson (1995, 1997) discovered a similar behaviour in the context of low- R m turbulence (without a Coriolis force) and showed that this phenomenon has its roots in the destruction of angular momentum by the Lorentz force. The purpose of this paper is to pull together these earlier studies and, in particular, to determine whether or not St. Pierre's platelets are also a consequence of the destruction of angular momentum. We confirm that this is indeed the case.     

Turbulence characteristics of flows passing through a tetrahedron frame in a smooth open-channel

The turbulence characteristics of flows passing through a tetrahedron frame were investigated by using a 2-dimensional fiber-optic laser Doppler velocimeter (2-D FLDV). Experiments for uniform flows with different bed slopes under both submerged and un-submerged conditions were carried out in a re-circulating flume with glass side walls. The experimental bed was a smooth fixed bed. It was observed that with the tetrahedron frame the mean longitudinal velocity decrease in the retardation zone. However, both the longitudinal and the vertical turbulence intensities are larger than those for the undisturbed approach flow. The tetrahedron frame may reduce the probability of sediment entrainment by retarding the flow and reducing the boundary shear stress. In addition, it may induce sediment deposition in a sediment laden flow by changing the flow direction and increasing the energy dissipation.     

城市近地层湍流特征分析

利用中国科学院大气物理研究所在北京的325 m铁塔观测资料,本文分析了47、140和280 m三个高度的湍流统计特征.结果表明,城市近地层的湍流速度方差和湍流温度方差都较好地满足局地相似关系,140 m和280 m的湍流特征非常接近,而47 m的湍流特征与之相比表现出明显的差异,说明由于城市冠层动力和热力非均匀性的影响...     

VIV and galloping of single circular cylinder with surface roughness at 3.0×10≤Re≤1.2×10

Passive Turbulence Control (PTC) in the form of selectively distributed surface roughness is used to alter Flow Induced Motion (FIM) of a circular cylinder in a steady flow. The objective is to enhance FIM's synchronization range and amplitude, thus maximizing conversion of hydrokinetic energy into mechanical energy by oscillator in vortex-induced vibration and/or galloping. Through additional viscous damping, mechanical energy is converted to electrical harnessing clean and renewable energy from ocean/river currents. High Reynolds numbers (Re) are required to reach the high-lift TrSL3 (Transition-Shear-Layer-3) flow regime. PTC trips flow separation and energizes the boundary layer, thus inducing higher vorticity and consequently lift. Roughness location, surface coverage, and size are studied using systematic model tests with broad-field laser visualization at 3.0×10⁴<Re<1.2×10⁵ in the low-turbulence free-surface water-channel of the Marine Renewable Energy Laboratory of the University of Michigan. Test results show that 16° roughness coverage is effective in the range (10°-80°) inducing reduced vortex-induced vibration (VIV), enhanced VIV, or galloping. Range of synchronization may increase or decrease, galloping amplitude of oscillation reaches three diameters; wake structures change dramatically reaching up to ten vortices per cycle. Conversion of hydrokinetic energy to mechanical is enhanced strongly with proper PTC.