68th Annual Meeting of the APS Division of Fluid Dynamics (November 22, 2015 — November 24, 2015)

V0044: Interaction of Taylor lengthscale size droplets and isotropic turbulence

Authors
  • Michael Dodd, University of Washington
  • Mishaal Aleem, University of Washington
  • Antonino Ferrante, University of Washington
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/APS.DFD.2015.GFM.V0044

The interaction of dispersed droplets and turbulence is important in many natural and industrial processes, such as rain formation, liquid-liquid emulsion, spray cooling, and spray atomization in combustors. To develop accurate mathematical models for these processes, it is imperative to understand the underlying physical mechanisms. In the case of droplet-laden isotropic turbulence, particularly complex mechanisms are introduced because the droplet can deform, develop internal circulation and breakup and coalesce with other droplets.  In order to understand and explain the behavior of droplet and turbulence interactions, we have performed direct numerical simulations of droplet-laden decaying isotropic turbulence and studied the evolution equation for the turbulence kinetic energy of the two-fluid flow. This video shows the temporal development of the three-dimensional droplets, the turbulence kinetic energy, its dissipation rate, and the power of the surface tension. The imagery, in particular, allows for unique insights into this complex physical phenomenon, e.g. for where the dissipation rate is increased by the droplets. Ultimately, this fluid dynamics video facilitates fundamental understanding of a multifaceted behavior present in common, everyday processes, which, once understood, may then be used to create predictive models and help predictions in engineering applications and environmental flows.

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