Multiphase Science and Technology

SIMULATION AND MODELING OF DISPERSED MICROSTRUCTURES IN TURBULENT FLOWS

ABSTRACT

This report focuses on the turbulent transport of three microstructures: (i) small aerosol particles; (ii) deformable drops (including breakup); and (iii) flexible polymer molecules. Rather than limit our discussion to direct numerical simulation (DNS) alone, we advocate a three-pronged approach, in which simulation is combined with experiment and theory to study problems that are amenable to all three approaches. In each of the three examples I will discuss, there has been some progress along all three prongs. It may appear that simulation and experiment are really providing the same information; however, simulation typically provides more complete information compared to experiment, but only for a limited range of parameters (especially Reynolds number) and so cannot stand alone. Moreover, there is the obvious need to validate the simulation to be sure one is not chasing an artifact.
To maximize the effectiveness the effectiveness of the three-pronged approach, it is essential that all three activities be tightly coupled (e.g., selecting a common flow with overlapping parameters, hopefully a flow that is simple enough for theoretical developments, etc.). Under this circumstance, it seems reasonable to expect that as DNS and experimental observations improve, theory is likely to advance as well (albeit with some time lag).