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Updated: Jun 14, 2026
10:53
Simultaneous Measurement of Turbulence and Particle Kinematics Using Flow Imaging Techniques
Published on: March 12, 2019
Eliminating turbulence in spatially intermittent flows.
Björn Hof1, Alberto de Lozar, Marc Avila
1Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organisation, Bunsenstrasse 10, 37073 Göttingen, Germany. bhof@gwdg.de
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|March 20, 2010
Summary
Researchers discovered a mechanism amplifying turbulence in pipe flows by feeding energy from shear into eddies. A simple control targeting velocity profile inflection points can collapse turbulence and relaminarize the flow.
Area of Science:
- Fluid dynamics
- Turbulence research
- Nonlinear dynamics
Background:
- Fluid transport in pipes and channels is ubiquitous in nature and industry.
- Laminar flow is energetically efficient due to lower friction losses.
- Most practical flows are turbulent, even at moderate velocities, due to sensitivity to disturbances.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the motion and spatial distribution of vortices in turbulent flows.
- To uncover the energy transfer mechanism from mean shear to turbulent eddies.
- To identify a control strategy for turbulence reduction.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of vortex dynamics and spatial distribution.
- Identification of an energy amplification mechanism.
- Implementation of a control mechanism targeting velocity profile inflection points.
Main Results:
- An amplification mechanism was uncovered that transfers energy from mean shear to turbulent eddies.
- A simple control strategy effectively intercepts this energy transfer.
- Activating the control leads to immediate turbulence collapse and flow relaminarization.
Conclusions:
- Turbulent pipe and channel flows can be controlled by targeting specific mechanisms.
- Relaminarization is achievable through targeted interventions in the velocity profile.
- This research offers insights into controlling fluid flow efficiency.
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