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Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Simultaneous Measurement of Turbulence and Particle Kinematics Using Flow Imaging Techniques

Simultaneous Measurement of Turbulence and Particle Kinematics Using Flow Imaging Techniques

Published on: March 12, 2019

Transit times in turbulent flows.

H L Pécseli¹, J Trulsen

¹Department of Physics, University of Oslo, Box 1048 Blindern, N-0316 Oslo, Norway.

Physical Review. E, Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics

|May 21, 2010

Summary

We analyzed particle motion in turbulent flows to understand transit times through volumes. Simple scaling laws were found for particle transit times, applicable to reactions and micro-organism feeding.

Area of Science:

Fluid Dynamics
Turbulence Research
Particle Transport

Background:

Understanding particle behavior in turbulent flows is crucial for various scientific and engineering applications.
Direct numerical simulations provide a powerful tool for studying complex fluid dynamics phenomena.
Particle transit times through defined volumes are key metrics in analyzing transport processes.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the statistical properties of passively convected point particles in turbulent flows.
To estimate the probability distribution of transit times for particles moving through spherical and hemispherical volumes.
To identify universal scaling laws governing particle transit times in different turbulence regimes.

Main Methods:

Utilizing a database generated from direct numerical solutions of the Navier-Stokes equation.

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Simultaneous Measurement of Turbulence and Particle Kinematics Using Flow Imaging Techniques

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Published on: February 22, 2018

Defining and calculating transit times based on particle entrance and exit from reference volumes.

Analyzing particle motion across various scales, including inertial and viscous subranges.

Main Results:

A selected position within the reference volume moves with local flow velocity, defining surface motion.
The probability density of transit times exhibits simple, seemingly universal scaling laws.
These laws depend on fundamental turbulent flow properties and geometric parameters.

Conclusions:

The derived scaling laws offer insights into particle dynamics in turbulent environments.
Findings are relevant for modeling chemical reactions and understanding micro-organism feeding rates in turbulent waters.
This study provides a foundational understanding of particle transit time statistics in complex flows.