No Arabic abstract
Using complementary numerical approaches at high resolution, we study the late-time behaviour of an inviscid, incompressible two-dimensional flow on the surface of a sphere. Starting from a random initial vorticity field comprised of a small set of intermediate wavenumber spherical harmonics, we find that -- contrary to the predictions of equilibrium statistical mechanics -- the flow does not evolve into a large-scale steady state. Instead, significant unsteadiness persists, characterised by a population of persistent small-scale vortices interacting with a large-scale oscillating quadrupolar vorticity field. Moreover, the vorticity develops a stepped, staircase distribution, consisting of nearly homogeneous regions separated by sharp gradients. The persistence of unsteadiness is explained by a simple point vortex model characterising the interactions between the four main vortices which emerge.
We investigate the two-dimensional ($2$D) inviscid compressible flow equations in axisymmetric coordinates, constrained by an ideal gas equation of state (EOS). Beginning with the assumption that the $2$D velocity field is space-time separable and linearly variable in each corresponding spatial coordinate, we proceed to derive an infinite family of elliptic or hyperbolic, uniformly expanding or contracting ``gas cloud solutions. Construction of specific example solutions belonging to this family is dependent on the solution of a system of nonlinear, coupled, second-order ordinary differential equations, and the prescription of an additional physical process of interest (e.g., uniform temperature or uniform entropy flow). The physical and computational implications of these solutions as pertaining to quantitative code verification or model qualification studies are discussed in some detail.
The interplay of inertia and elasticity is shown to have a significant impact on the transport of filamentary objects, modelled by bead-spring chains, in a two-dimensional turbulent flow. We show how elastic interactions amongst inertial beads result in a non-trivial sampling of the flow, ranging from entrapment within vortices to preferential sampling of straining regions. This behavior is quantified as a function of inertia and elasticity and is shown to be very different from free, non-interacting heavy particles, as well as inertialess chains [Picardo et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 121, 244501 (2018)]. In addition, by considering two limiting cases, of a heavy-headed and a uniformly-inertial chain, we illustrate the critical role played by the mass distribution of such extended objects in their turbulent transport.
Lagrangian transport structures for three-dimensional and time-dependent fluid flows are of great interest in numerous applications, particularly for geophysical or oceanic flows. In such flows, chaotic transport and mixing can play important environmental and ecological roles, for examples in pollution spills or plankton migration. In such flows, where simulations or observations are typically available only over a short time, understanding the difference between short-time and long-time transport structures is critical. In this paper, we use a set of classical (i.e. Poincare section, Lyapunov exponent) and alternative (i.e. finite time Lyapunov exponent, Lagrangian coherent structures) tools from dynamical systems theory that analyze chaotic transport both qualitatively and quantitatively. With this set of tools we are able to reveal, identify and highlight differences between short- and long-time transport structures inside a flow composed of a primary horizontal contra-rotating vortex chain, small lateral oscillations and a weak Ekman pumping. The difference is mainly the existence of regular or extremely slowly developing chaotic regions that are only present at short time.
Conflict between formation of a cyclonic vortex and isotropization in forced homogeneous rotating turbulence is numerically investigated. It is well known that a large rotation rate of the system induces columnar vortices to result in quasi-two-dimensional (Q2D) flow, while a small rotation rate allows turbulence to be three-dimensional (3D). It is found that the transition from the Q2D turbulent flow to the 3D turbulent flow and the reverse transition occur at different values of the rotation rates. At the intermediate rotation rates, bistability of these two statistically steady states is observed. Such hysteretic behavior is also observed for the variation of the amplitude of an external force.
We investigate the role of intense vortical structures, similar to those in a turbulent flow, in enhancing collisions (and coalescences) which lead to the formation of large aggregates in particle-laden flows. By using a Burgers vortex model, we show, in particular, that vortex stretching significantly enhances sharp inhomogeneities in spatial particle densities, related to the rapid ejection of particles from intense vortices. Furthermore our work shows how such spatial clustering leads to an enhancement of collision rates and extreme statistics of collisional velocities. We also study the role of poly-disperse suspensions in this enhancement. Our work uncovers an important principle which, {if valid for realistic turbulent flows, may be a factor in} how small nuclei water droplets in warm clouds can aggregate to sizes large enough to trigger rain.