The concept of drift and its application to multiphase and multibody problems

Area of Science:

• Fluid mechanics
• Hydrodynamics
• Theoretical physics

Background:

• The concept of drift quantifies fluid distortion by moving bodies.
• Darwin's work established the drift volume (D(f)) as proportional to body volume (V) and added-mass coefficient (C(m)).
• This concept is crucial for understanding fluid transport, dispersion, and developing Lagrangian coordinate systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review Charles Darwin's foundational contributions to fluid mechanics, specifically the concept of drift.
• To demonstrate the evolution and broader significance of Darwin's drift concept using recent experimental data.
• To highlight its applicability in multiphase and multibody fluid dynamics problems.

Main Methods:

• Review of historical fluid mechanics literature, focusing on Darwin's work.
• Analysis of experimental measurements of drift and drift volume.
• Theoretical examination of the drift volume formula D(f) = C(m)V.

Main Results:

• Darwin's drift concept provides a quantitative measure of fluid distortion and transport.
• The drift volume is a key parameter, dependent on body shape and volume.
• Recent experiments validate and extend the understanding of drift phenomena.

Conclusions:

• Darwin's drift concept remains fundamental in fluid mechanics for quantifying dispersion.
• The concept has significant implications for understanding complex fluid behaviors in multiphase and multibody systems.
• Further research can build upon Darwin's work to address advanced fluid dynamics challenges.