Analysis of intercomponent energy transfer in the interaction of oscillating-grid turbulence with an impermeable boundary

New experimental results are presented that investigate the nature of the intercomponent energy transfer that occurs in the interaction between oscillating-grid turbulence and a solid impermeable boundary, using instantaneous velocity measurements obtained from two-dimensional particle imaging velocimetry (PIV). Estimates of the pressure-strain correlation term of the transport equation of the Reynolds stress tensor, which represents intercomponent energy transfer, are obtained using the PIV data from a balance of the remaining terms of the transport equation. The influence of the pressure-strain correlation term on the flow is examined by computing the energy spectra and conditional turbulent statistics associated with events in which intercomponent energy transfer is thought to be concentrated. Data reported here is in support of viscous and `return-to-isotropy' mechanisms governing the intercomponent energy transfer previously proposed, respectively, by Perot & Moin [B. Perot and P. Moin, J. Fluid Mech., 295, 199-227 (1995).] and Walker et al. [D. T. Walker, R. I. Leighton and L. O. Garza-Rios, J. Fluid Mech., 320, 19-51 (1996)]. However, the data reported also indicate the presence of a weak net intercomponent energy transfer from the boundary-normal velocity component to the boundary-tangential velocity components over a thin region outside the viscous sublayer which is not captured within existing models of intercomponent energy transfer at the boundary

Experimental study of oscillating-grid turbulence interacting with a solid boundary

© 2017 Cambridge University Press. The interaction between oscillating-grid turbulence and a solid, impermeable boundary (positioned below, and aligned parallel to, the grid) is studied experimentally. Instantaneous velocity measurements, obtained using two-dimensional particle imaging velocimetry in the vertical plane through the centre of the (horizontal) grid, are used to study the effect of the boundary on the root-mean-square velocity components, the vertical flux of turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) and the terms in the Reynolds stress transport equation. Identified as a critical aspect of the interaction is the blocking of a vertical flux of TKE across the boundary-affected region. Terms of the Reynolds stress transport equations show that the blocking of this energy flux acts to increase the boundary-tangential turbulent velocity component, relative to the far-field trend, but not the boundary-normal velocity component. The results are compared with previous studies of the interaction between zero-mean-shear turbulence and a solid boundary. In particular, the data reported here are in support of viscous and 'return-to-isotropy' mechanisms governing the intercomponent energy transfer previously proposed, respectively, by Perot and Moin (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 295, 1995, pp. 199-227) and Walker et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 320, 1996, pp. 19-51), although we note that these mechanisms are not independent of the blocking of energy flux and draw parallels to the related model proposed by Magnaudet (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 484, 2003, pp. 167-196)

A method for reducing mean flow in oscillating‑grid turbulence

Oscillating-grid turbulence (OGT) is an experimental tool that has been widely used to study the role of turbulent fluctuations under conditions of small mean flow. We report experiments to investigate the structure of the turbulent flow produced by an oscillating grid, using velocity measurements obtained through the application of two-dimensional particle image velocimetry in the vertical plane through the centre of the grid. Ensemble averages of the fluid velocity measurements at specific stages of the grid’s oscillation indicate that mean flow is induced in OGT by the merging of grid-induced jets close to the tank sidewalls. The installation of an open-ended ‘inner box’ (with its top edge positioned just below the bottom of the grid’s oscillation) is shown to inhibit the merging of the jets, thereby resulting in a reduction in the magnitude of the mean flow within the interior of the inner box region. Measurements of the time-averaged root-mean-square turbulent velocity components and the time-averaged turbulent kinetic energy flux indicate that the installation of the inner box results in turbulence that is in good agreement with the well-established models of OGT across the central 50% of the inner box’s width, but that distinct anisotropic regions exist adjacent to the vertical sidewalls. We anticipate that this simple amendment to reduce the mean flow present in OGT can be readily used in future work that utilises OGT to isolate the effects of turbulent fluctuations from those of the mean flow

Myrtle Grove Delta Building Diversion: Numerical Modeling of Hydrodynamics and Sediment Transport in Lower Mississippi Nearmyrtle Grove River Bend

Source: ICHE Conference Archive - https://mdi-de.baw.de/icheArchiv

Treatment Shaft for Combined Sewer Overflow Detention

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/147195/1/wer0434.pd

Spatial Distribution of Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Sediment Cores from Blind Pass, St. Pete Beach, Florida

One hundred and one sediment cores were collected to characterize the spatial distribution of petroleum hydrocarbons within and just outside Blind Pass, St. Pete Beach, Florida. Twenty-five percent of the cores exhibited levels of petroleum hydrocarbons above detection limits of the gas chromatograph/flame ionization detector (GC/FID) (0.01 mg/Kg), but at generally low concentrations. Petroleum hydrocarbon speciation studies of these samples (gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy [GC/MS]) indicate above-detection level (1 μg/Kg) petroleum hydrocarbons are similar to the non-volatile petroleum hydrocarbons found in a Bouchard 155 reference sample collected after the 1993 oil spill in the area, but are in a much degraded and weathered state. Individual petroleum hydrocarbons were, in all but one case, below the threshold effective level (TEL) described in the literature (MacDonald, 1994). The petroleum hydrocarbons were primarily found at 100-300 cm depth in Blind Pass cores. Above-detection level petroleum hydrocarbons were generally found in samples from cores in the center of the channel, near the edges of the shoal, and just outside of Blind Pass. A second mixture of hydrocarbons, primarily phthalates, ketones, and ether, was found at relatively shallow core depths (0-99 cm) in the Mid- and North End Channel cores. These suggest a separate source of contamination, possibly storm water runoff. The fuel fluorescence detector (FFD) probe was investigated for its ability to detect petroleum hydrocarbons in marine sediments. When analyzed with the FFD, all sediments from the cores produced peaks of fluorescence, but none above the background levels of Blind Pass native sediments. All but two samples analyzed by GC/FID were below the detection limits (100 ppm) of the FFD. These samples were found in dark-colored sediments. The combination of the detection limits of the instrument, sediment color, and the degraded nature of the heavier weight petroleum hydrocarbons may have resulted in fluorescence outputs below background levels. These studies demonstrate that the distribution of petroleum hydrocarbons within Blind Pass sediments is generally low and patchy. However, 25% of the cores exhibited levels above detection using GC/FID/MS. These cores could be subjected to individual speciation studies which indicate generally below TEL levels and an association of some, but not all, with the 1993 oil spill in Blind Pass. Appendix A provides photographs and tables for sediment subsamples which exhibited total petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations above detection limits, while Appendix B presents the results from fuel fluorescence detector probe analyses. A discussion of the results of the study in relation to sediment quality guidelines and soil cleanup target level guidance documents is included as Appendix C. Some preliminary results using the above techniques on core samples from the nearby John’s Pass are presented in Appendix D